Description:

W. M. Keck Foundation Research Program (Medical Research or Science and Engineering) Information Session

OFR will be hosting an information session on the W. M. Keck Foundation Science and Engineering and Medical Research Program in Evanston and Chicago.

Please respond to foundationrelations@northwestern.edu by Sept. 26 if you plan to attend.
• Oct. 1, 12 – 1 pm, Norris University Center, Armadillo Room, Evanston
• Oct. 3, 10 – 11 am, Rubloff 11 Lakeside Conference Room, Chicago

Program Overview: The W. M. Keck Foundation Research Program seeks to benefit humanity by supporting basic science research 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. The Keck Foundation makes around 12 awards in each cycle, typically at $1M over 3 years, for projects and approaches that are arguably both unique and transformative. Research that focuses on elucidating a single disease is typically not funded by Keck.

Funding is awarded to universities and institutions nationwide for research projects 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 foundation 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 (PIs must already have applied / provide proof from a program officer that project is outside program focus)
• demonstrate that private philanthropy generally, and the W. M. Keck Foundation in particular, is essential to the project’s success.

Deadline: Internal deadline 11/15/2018

Initial Approach: One-page concept paper submitted to Sarah Fodor (s-fodor@northwestern.edu)

PLEASE NOTE: The Keck Foundation requires that all Northwestern University contacts go through the University’s institutional liaison to the Foundation, Sarah Fodor (Executive Director of Foundation Relations and Corporate Engagement)

Foundation: W. M. Keck Foundation. For more information about this RFP, see http://www.wmkeck.org/grant-programs/research

Eligibility: Research universities, medical colleges, and major private independent scientific and medical research institutes are eligible to apply to the Research Program. Both Senior and Early Career investigators are encouraged to apply.

Award: NU has been approved to apply for a maximum of $1 million per project over one to three years.

Additional Information: Seeking funding from the Keck Foundation is a multi-stage process managed by the Office of Foundation Relations. Final funding decisions on invited full proposals are expected in January 2020. Northwestern University may submit up to four concept papers in each area through Sarah Fodor, Executive Director of Foundation Relations and Corporate Engagement. Concept papers will be reviewed and approved before submission by school research deans and Vice President for Research Jay Walsh.

Single-page concepts for the Research Program should be in 12 point font with 1 inch margins and should include every element below in these four sections:

• an overview of the proposed project emphasizing any unique aspects and pilot studies (indicate area of emphasis for project: medical research or science and engineering research)
• a description of the methodologies and key personnel
• a brief justification of the need for Keck support
• 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. Keck will support up to 10% of PI salary but will not support tuition or indirect costs.)

If your concept paper is approved for submission to the Foundation, Foundation Relations will submit it and arrange a conference call between Keck Foundation program staff and Vice President for Research Jay Walsh, expected to take place between January 1 and February 15, 2018. After this call, you will be notified if your concept has been approved as Northwestern’s nominee to submit a Phase 1 application to either of the Keck Foundation Research Programs areas of emphasis. Northwestern may submit only one application in each program.
If you are approved as a Northwestern nominee, Phase 1 applications will be due 5/1/19. If you are invited to submit a Phase 2 proposal, you will be notified by 7/15/19 with the full proposal due approximately 9/15/19. Funding decisions are expected by January 2020.

Next Steps: If you are interested in applying for this funding opportunity, please contact:

Sarah J. Fodor, PhD
Executive Director, Foundation Relations & Corporate Engagement
(847) 491-4584
s-fodor@northwestern.edu

Sarah and her team will conduct individual conference calls or in-person meetings to advise on the suitability of your idea for the Keck opportunity and can preview your concept paper in advance of your submission.