International Science Funding Sources

In the midst of federal research funding cuts and grant freezes, we need alternative ways to fund science. Here are some opportunities that caught my attention: ▫️ Astera Institute - founded by Jed McCaleb and Seemay Chou, Astera incubates high-leverage science and technology projects at their earliest stages through their residency and open science programs. They back creative, high-agency scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs who are passionate about pursuing open first, high impact and future focused projects, especially innovators whose work isn’t a match for other institutions. https://lnkd.in/g45bPNgP ▫️ Schmidt Sciences - part of Eric and Wendy Schmidt's philanthropic initiatives. Their Polymaths program backs professors and interdisciplinary misfits with $2.5M+ to explore wild, risky ideas, whereas their Fellows program places the world’s best emerging scientists in new research domains. https://lnkd.in/gwNC7Fda ▫️ Simons Foundation - founded by Jim and Marilyn Simons to champion basic science through grant funding. There is currently an open call for high-risk theoretical mathematics, physics and computer science projects of exceptional promise and scientific importance. https://lnkd.in/g5CX-Gmk ▫️ Lux Capital - Lux just committed $100 million to back academic research that also has commercial potential, such as biotech and artificial intelligence. They offer both counsel and capital to pathbreaking scientists and help push their research and careers forward. https://lnkd.in/gt5vKe_m ▫️ Decentralized Science (DeSci) - science-focused decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) are communities and platforms that use blockchain technology and decentralization to reform funding and collaboration in science. e.g. 🔹 ValleyDAO - funds and provides translational support for synthetic biology research 🔹 VitaDAO - funds aging research and democratizes ownership of intellectual property 🔹 Molecule AG - funding and tokenization platform for biopharma intellectual property What other funding models or programs are you excited about?

If you’re seeking funding for a research project (graduate, PhD, or postdoc) in Germany, make sure to explore the full spectrum of available opportunities. Don’t limit your applications to the well-known organisations like DFG, DAAD, or the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation – think beyond the usual options! Germany’s funding landscape is extensive and complex, with a wide range of public and private actors supporting research, including international researchers. Many of these opportunities require some digging to uncover. Who are the key funders in Germany? * State funding organisations: DFG, DAAD, BMBF, and others. * Universities and technical universities: Some offer their own (!) scholarships for undergraduates and postgraduates. * Non-university research organisations: Max Planck, Fraunhofer, and similar organisations often provide research contracts for an international audience with salaries based on public sector agreements. * Private foundations: Numerous foundations, such as VolkswagenStiftung, Robert Bosch Stiftung, Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds, and BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt, run thematic calls open to international applicants. * Private companies: Industry is Germany’s largest R&D investor, accounting for the majority of the country’s €129.7 billion R&D spending in 2023. Myriads of large and medium-sized companies offer graduate, PhD, and postdoc programmes open to international researchers. * Government authorities at state and federal levels: These can also be valuable sources of funding. For example, the German Bundestag offers International Parliamentary Scholarships to international graduates, and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) provides fellowships for researchers. One challenge is the lack of comprehensive directories, e.g., for company-funded research, making the search particularly complex. Persistence pays off – you may discover unique opportunities few others have found! For further guidance, consult the "Research in Germany" website, which offers extensive information, consulting services, and a newsletter to help you navigate the landscape.

How Research Is Funded in Sweden — Part 3: Public Research Foundations A quick guide for researchers, especially early‑career scholars, navigating Sweden’s strategic research foundations. Sweden’s public research foundations were created in the mid‑1990s using capital from the former wage‑earner investment fund. Today, they serve as an important complement to the government’s traditional research‑funding agencies, supporting long‑term, strategic initiatives across a range of fields. 🔸 Stiftelsen för strategisk forskning, SSF (Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research) - Funds long‑term strategic research, research leaders, and collaborative research programs in science, technology, and medicine. 🔸 Mistra, Stiftelsen för miljöstrategisk forskning (Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research) - Funds interdisciplinary, long‑term research programs addressing major environmental and sustainability challenges. 🔸 KK-stiftelsen (Knowledge Foundation): competence development for collaboration between industry and academia - Funds research and competence development conducted in collaboration between academia and industry, primarily at Sweden’s newer universities. 🔸 Östersjöstiftelsen - The Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies - Funds research, doctoral education, and academic environments focused on the Baltic Sea region and Eastern Europe. 🔸 STINT, The Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education - Funds internationalization initiatives such as mobility programs, strategic partnerships, and global academic collaboration. 🔸 Riksbankens Jubileumsfond (Sweden Tercentenary Foundation) - Funds independent research in the humanities and social sciences, including projects, programs, and research infrastructure. 🪄 Was this helpful? Next week I’ll share more funding sources and tips on how to search strategically based on your field.

Africa|Research|Funding Are there research funding opportunities in Africa? Yes Although Europe and America offer numerous scholarship and funding opportunities, Africa also presents a plethora of prospects, including exceptional funding for researchers, sourced from various entities such as governments, international organizations, and private foundations. Here are a few noteworthy options: 1. African Governments and Universities ✴️African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA): Supports collaborative research and capacity building among African universities. ARUA is also organizing its biennial international conference tagged "Research, Innovation, and Artificial Intelligence for Africa Transformation. There is a provision for travel costs for researchers from resource-limited settings. https://arua.org/ https://lnkd.in/dZ-33Tdm ✴️National Research Foundations (e.g., South Africa’s NRF): Offers funding for PhD research locally and internationally. https://www.nrf.ac.za/ ✴️Nigeria Tertiary Education Fund: Offers funding for researchers from all public schools in Nigeria. The funds are disbursed for the general improvement of education in federal and state tertiary education institutions. https://tetfund.gov.ng/ https://lnkd.in/dHZJt2h4 2. International Funding Organizations ✴️World Bank’s Africa Centers of Excellence (ACE) Program: Provides funding to African universities for graduate training and applied research. https://lnkd.in/dX4sQZE6 ✴️African Union Commission (AUC): Offers grants through initiatives like the Pan African University (PAU) and the African Scientific Research and Innovation Council (ASRIC). https://lnkd.in/dHz-ta2c chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://lnkd.in/dh2HiGpB ✴️DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service): Offers scholarships to African students for PhD programs both in Africa and Germany. https://lnkd.in/dnWyGkZV 3. Regional and Pan-African Initiatives ✴️Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program (CADFP): Provides funding for collaborations between African academics and those in the diaspora. https://lnkd.in/duDvCufz ✴️African Academy of Sciences (AAS): Manages programs like the DELTAS Africa Initiative and the FLAIR Fellowships for early-career scientists. https://aasciences.africa/ ✴️Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA): Supports health and development research. https://lnkd.in/d-4PEjAv