First conceived in 2013, the Rockefeller University’s Institute for Long-Term Thinking and Novel Discovery ensures dedicated funding for imaginative, high-risk research in the life sciences. Ranging from seed grants to long-term awards, the support is directed to outstanding scientists, mathematicians, and theorists with visionary ideas.

Naming opportunities will be available for all of the Institute’s grant programs. In addition, the Rockefeller University is seeking a $100 million gift in a combination of endowment and expendable funds to name the Institute itself.

PURPOSE AND FOCUS:

These funds support original thinkers, at all career stages, pursuing fundamental scientific questions with the potential to open new fields and lead to novel discovery.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE:

Mid- to late-career faculty members as well as early-career investigators at the independent fellow or tenure-track level.

APPLICATION AND REVIEW:

Applications are brief and assessed by internal and independent external review panels. Limited revisions may be requested, with a decision to follow within four to six weeks. Awards will be monitored by the University’s Committee on Scientific Affairs, which is comprised of members of the Board of Trustees along with additional distinguished scientists from other Institutions.

TYPES OF SUPPORT:

1. Institution-Focused Grants
   1. Acquisition of technology, tools, and instrumentation specific to basic science discoveries
   2. Support for theorists and experimentalists in math and physics working on biological problems
   3. New faculty start-up costs that are not covered by conventional funding sources
2. Internally-Competitive Peer Reviewed Awards
   1. One-year pilot/seed grants $25,000 to $100,000
   2. Multi-year commitments for novel research projects (3 to 5 years) $200,000 to $1,000,000
   3. Interdisciplinary collaborations involving several laboratory teams $1,000,000 and up

To learn more about the program, view the Rockefeller University Full Description.