W.M. Keck Foundation

From the sponsor: The W. M. Keck Research Program seeks to benefit humanity by supporting Medical Research and Science & Engineering projects that are distinctive and novel in their approach, question the prevailing paradigm, or have the potential to break open new territory in their field.

Grants range from $1 million to $5 million and are typically $2 million or less.

Two (2) applications may be submitted from WSU- one for Medical Research and one for Science & Engineering.

W.M. Keck Foundation’s Research Program supports high-risk/high-impact projects that are distinctive and novel in their approach and that questions the prevailing paradigm. Supported projects will lead to breakthrough discoveries and/or develop new technologies that enable breakthrough discoveries for others. Keck is looking to fund projects that fall outside the mission of public funding agencies.

The funding guidelines can be found at https://www.wmkeck.org/research-overview/#funding-guidelines. Examples of funded projects can be found here.

Faculty in all colleges and at all campuses are eligible to submit a letter of inquiry and eventual application if requested. The 2024 W.M. Keck Foundation research grant program provides funding in two specific areas (1) medical research and (2) science and engineering.

For this call, two proposals will be chosen, one for Medical Research and the other for Science & Engineering. Please do not submit pre-proposals for projects which have already been reviewed and denied by the W.M. Keck Foundation.

Please submit your materials by using the form below by 5:00 PM Friday, December 29, 2023.

An internal review committee will evaluate the submitted internal projects in relation to the W.M. Keck Foundation’s criteria and funding patterns. Guided by the reviewers’ feedback and in consultation with the Vice President of Research, OFR will discuss the recommended projects with the Keck Foundation. Keck will meet with the VP for Research and the WSU Foundation Liaison to discuss up to three concept papers in each of the two funding areas.  Based on feedback from the Keck program managers during our concept discussions, one project for each funding area will go forward to submit a Phase 1 Proposal to Keck.  The WSU Foundation, Office of Foundation Relations, will work closely with the selected PI’s to develop a strong Phase 1 application.

All the elements below must be submitted via the web form below.

1. Answers to the Keck Phase 1 Application Prompts listed below. Questions will be addressed in separate fields in the web form, the questions are listed below so you can prepare responses in advance.
2. Curriculum vitae for the principal investigator
3. Letter from Dean confirming support for the application.

• Project Description – Includes an overview, relevant efforts, peer groups, goals & methodology, impact, and fundraising. 800 words maximum.
• Project Summary – Includes project abstract, unique aspects, key personnel, budget, and justification for W. M. Keck Foundation support. 400 words maximum.
• References – List of five knowledgeable experts in the field who can review and provide opinions on the project’s value and the ability of the applicant to complete it.
• Institutional Priority of Request

The WSU Office of Foundation Relations serves as the WSU liaison for the W.M. Keck Foundation. The Office of Research supports the OFR. If you have any questions and/or would like to learn more about the opportunity, the proposal preparation and submission process, please contact Tamara LaFrance in the Office of Foundation Relations at wsuf.ofr@wsu.edu or tamara.lafrance@wsu.edu.