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This solicitation seeks projects that focus on synthetic microbial communities. The projects may use a model synthetic community to better understand the fundamental biological principles underlying the formation, maintenance or functionality of natural communities and to understand a natural community's impact on the host, when applicable.Projects that focus on the design and analysis of synthetic communities with novel capabilities are also eligible for submission. These projects may address fundamental biological principles at any scale, from the molecular to the ecosystem scale. By supporting this research, this solicitation aims to build a comprehensive biological knowledge base that scientists can use to rationally design synthetic microbial communities with novel applications in climate resiliency,sustainability, biotechnology and bio-manufacturing.

For both science/engineering projects and medical research projects, the Keck Foundation seeks to support projects likely to lead to new models or breakthroughs in basic or fundamental science. (The Keck Foundation is not interested in applied science.) A successful Keck Foundation proposal in either category could lead to the creation of a new field of research, develop the science of the previously unobservable, or discover knowledge that challenges prevailing perspectives and paradigms. Proposals should provide new, important, and transformative answers to underlying questions in fundamental science that carry an imaginative spark that may illuminate a previously unsolvable scientific mystery. Successful Keck Foundation proposals demonstrate a high level of risk1 due to unconventional approaches, challenges to prevailing thought, and/or unorthodox methodology. The Keck Foundation does not fund projects that represent the “next logical step” in research. The Keck Foundation looks favorably on research projects that have failed to secure funding from federal agencies (e.g., NSF, NIH) due, in part, to the project’s high-risk nature. The ideal concept paper would attest to a previous federal agency’s declination due to the high-risk nature of the proposal in spite of high reviewer and/or panel scores. For a flavor of the kinds of proposals Keck has funded recently, please see the Keck Foundation abstracts at https://www.wmkeck.org/our-focus-research/#focus-abstracts-research. A Go/No-Go flowchart at the end of this memo has been included to assist potential applicants in determining whether their ideas and project align with the interests of the Keck Foundation.

The Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program is a transformational award for early career researchers who show exceptional promise of becoming outstanding leaders in academic science, making foundational discoveries while building an inclusive scientific culture. Through their successful careers, Hanna Gray Fellows will move science forward and will recruit, mentor, and inspire the next generation of scientists from all backgrounds.

Fellows receive funding for their postdoctoral training and during their early years as independent faculty. In addition to financial support, Hanna Gray Fellows join the vibrant multigenerational HHMI community, where fellows learn with experts and each other how to build healthy research environments that are creative, bold, inclusive, and effective. 

The program supports early career scientists with the potential to become leaders in academic research. Fellows receive funding to support their postdoctoral training and may continue to receive funding during their early career years as independent faculty. 

Global food demand is expected to increase 50% by 2050. This challenging demand is too large for anyone to solve alone. One way Valent aspires to solve the challenge is by collaborating with the global scientific and innovation communities to develop new sustainable and creative solutions to help our growers meet the surging food demand.

We are looking for existing or emerging technologies that enhance the performance or provide complementary benefits to Valent’s proprietary portfolio that includes herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and plant growth regulators. Technologies of interest include formulation methods, field application methods and tools, conventional active ingredients, biorationals, biostimulants, synergists, and product packaging.