Science and Engineering / Medical Research June 2018 Cycle

The W.M. Keck Foundation's Research Program seeks to benefit humanity by supporting high-risk/high-impact projects in two specific areas, (1) medical research, and (2) science and engineering, that are distinctive and novel in their approach, question the prevailing paradigm, or have the potential to break open new territory in their field. Past grants have been awarded to major universities, independent research institutions, and medical schools to support pioneering biological and physical science research and engineering. Keck-funded projects have included the development of promising new technologies, instrumentation or methodologies that lay the groundwork for new paradigms, breakthrough technologies, and discoveries that will save lives, provide innovative solutions, and add to our understanding of the world.

For a document detailing guidance for developing a strong concept for the Keck Foundation, provided by UW Corporate and Foundation Relations, please email research@uw.edu.

Program Priorities:

• Focus on important and emerging areas of research
• Have the potential to develop breakthrough technologies, instrumentation or methodologies
• Are innovative, distinctive and involve interdisciplinary teams
• 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
• Do 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

Potential applicants are encouraged to look at summaries of past awards on the Keck Foundation website. Please note that once it has funded a new idea, the Keck Foundation looks for the next thing. It does not typically fund a given topic or area or new technology more than once.  

Application Instructions

Please submit the following to research@uw.edu by 5:00 PM Thursday, June 7, 2018

1. A one-page concept paper with a description of proposed aims and approach (see below)
2. Biosketch or CV of the PIs

Please prepare your concept paper according to the Keck Foundation’s instructions:

A single page, in 12 point font with 1 inch margins to include:

• an overview of the proposed project, emphasizing any unique aspects and pilot studies, and indicating area of emphasis for the project – medical research or science and engineering research;
• a description of the methodologies and key personnel with disciplinary affiliation or expertise;
• a brief justification of the need for Keck support, and
  • an estimated budget broken down, if possible, by major areas, e.g., personnel, equipment, consumable supplies, etc. (budgets can be rough approximations at this stage)

If there’s room, the authors are free to add other details (e.g., background to put the research into perspective, description of the institution’s prominence in the field, etc.). Avoid illustrations in these single-pagers – the researchers will need all the room for text. If a reference is necessary, abbreviate it as (Science, 323, 45, ‘11). DO NOT USE (Jones et al., 2011).

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If your project has been denied funding by a public funding agency, it is beneficial to note that in your justification for Keck funding.

Selected Phase I proposals are due to the sponsor on 11/1/18, if given the go ahead by the Proposal Review Committee. Other open limited submissions opportunities, as well as the internal proposal review committee review and selection process outline, are here: https://depts.washington.edu/research/funding/limited-submissions/. Please feel free to email us at research@uw.edu with questions or information on any limited submission opportunities that should be but are not already listed on that page.