Keck Foundation Science and Engineering Research Program 2021
| To: | Chairs and Administrators, Departments in the Biological, Physical and Social Sciences; Associate Deans for Research; College/School Research Administrators |
| From: | Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research & Graduate Education |
| Date: | August 20, 2020 |
| Subject: | Keck Foundation Science & Engineering Research Program |
Deadline
| Deadline for Concept Paper to School/College Associate Dean for Research: | September 30, 2020 |
Project Description
The Keck Foundation strives to fund endeavors that are distinctive and novel in their approach. It encourages projects that are high-risk with the potential for transformative impact. “High-risk” comprises a number of factors, including questions that push the edge of the field, present unconventional approaches to intractable problems, or challenge the prevailing paradigm. “Transformative” may mean creation of a new field of research, development of new instrumentation enabling observations not previously possible, or discovery of knowledge that challenges prevailing perspectives. Applicants may find it helpful to look over the abstracts of recent grants to understand funding priorities. Grant abstracts may be found on Keck Foundation website within the particular program of interest.
Funding is awarded to universities and institutions nationwide for projects in research that
• Focus on important and emerging areas of research
• Have the potential to develop breakthrough technologies, instrumentation or methodologies
• Are innovative, distinctive and interdisciplinary
• Demonstrate a high level of risk due to unconventional approaches, or by challenging the prevailing paradigm
• Have the potential for transformative impact, such as the founding of a new field of research, the enabling of observations not previously possible, or the altered perception of a previously intractable problem
• Does not focus on clinical or translational research, treatment trials or research for the sole purpose of drug development
• Fall outside the mission of public funding agencies
• Demonstrate that private philanthropy generally, and the W. M. Keck Foundation in particular, is essential to the project’s success
Amount per Award: Historically, grants range from $500,000 to $5 million, and are typically $2 million or less.
Duration of Award: Up to 5 Years
Number of Awards: The number of grants made varies each year.
Eligibility
UW-Madison may submit one Concept Paper to the Science and Engineering Research Program.
NOTE: Keck Foundation proposals require a substantial amount of institutional commitment (approximately 20-25% of the grant amount). This commitment can be met through a combination of approximately 10-15% unrecovered indirect costs and approximately 10% school/college, department and OVCRGE contributions. For this reason, you must first route your proposal to your Associate Dean for Research.
Website
The following link contains additional information on the program and specific application instructions:
http://www.wmkeck.org/grant-programs/research
Internal Competition Application Instructions
Applications for Internal Review
Please email your application to your School/College Associate Dean for Research by September 30, 2020. Your application should include the following information:
- Cover Page with PI Signature: Keck Cover Page
- 1-2 page description of the proposed project.
- 2-3 sentences on your plans for meeting the institutional commitment.
- Statement that the concept/project has been proposed to a traditional funding source (e.g., NSF, NIH) but has been unsuccessful in obtaining funding.
Your School/College Associate Dean for Research will complete the review process and submit one or two Concept Papers to the OVCRGE via email to grants@research.wisc.edu by October 15, 2020
The PI of the selected project will work with the UW Foundation on submission of the Concept Paper. The Concept Paper will be sent to the Keck Foundation through the UW Foundation for Pre-Application Counseling by December 31, 2020.
If invited by the Keck Foundation, the Phase I deadline for applications is May 1, 2021.
Sponsor Deadlines
Concept Papers are due to Keck Foundation by December 31, 2020. Applications are due to Keck Foundation by May 01, 2021.
Questions?
Contact grants@research.wisc.edu.