Call for Concept Papers:  W. M. Keck Foundation

Science & Engineering Research Program (Phase I)

The W.M. Keck Foundation's Science and Engineering Research Program seeks to benefit humanity by supporting high-risk/high-impact projects that are distinctive and novel in their approach to intractable problems, push the edge of their field, or question the prevailing paradigm. Past grants have been awarded to major universities and independent research institutions to support pioneering science and engineering research and the development of promising new technologies, and to facilitate the purchase of advanced instruments where such instruments would further research ideas. Grants up to $1 million.

Medical Research Program (Phase I)

The W.M. Keck Foundation's Medical Research Program seeks to advance the frontiers of medicine to benefit humanity by supporting high-risk/high-impact projects that are distinctive and novel in their approach to intractable problems, push the edge of their field, or question the prevailing paradigm. Past grants have been awarded to major universities and independent research institutions to support pioneering biological research and the development of promising new technologies, and to facilitate the purchase of advanced instruments where such instruments would further research ideas. Research projects should focus on basic research and not be clinical in nature. Medical research projects conducted in hospitals are not eligible. Grants up to $1 million.

Please review the Keck Foundation’s website (http://www.wmkeck.org/programs/index.html) to determine if you have a project that is clearly aligned with the Foundation’s goals and strategies.  Keck funds projects that fall outside the mission of public funding agencies.  Review the Grant Criteria for the two program areas on the website (http://www.wmkeck.org/fund/criteria_science.html).

Internal Submission Process and Schedule:

Please submit an electronic copy of your one-page concept paper by 5pm on Monday, October 9, 2009 to Restricted@research.colostate.edu.   The Office of the Vice President for Research will review the concept papers and select those to be developed into Phase 1 proposals.  Phase 1 applications are due to the Keck Foundation on November 1, 2009.

Single-page concept papers for either the Medical Research or the Science & Engineering program should explicitly address how the proposed work meets Keck’s objectives as outlined above and should be organized as follows:

(1) an abstract/overview of the research proposed emphasizing any unique aspects;

(2) a mention of pilot studies or data, if any — including unpublished findings — that support the idea;

(3) a brief description of the key personnel;

(4) a brief justification of the need for Keck support;

(5) 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.)

Researchers 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.) if there is space available.  Please avoid illustrations in these one-pagers.

The Keck Foundation permits one proposal per program area per grant cycle; therefore the Office of the Vice President for Research will review the concept papers, speak with the Keck Foundation regarding the strongest candidates, and select those to be developed into Phase 1 proposals.