For Immediate Release
Contact: Rose-Marie Brandwein
917-923-8105
New York, New York – The Science Philanthropy Alliance extends its congratulations to The Brinson Foundation on their generous donation of $100 million to Caltech to seed the Brinson Exploration Hub. The Brinson Exploration Hub will convene scientists and engineers from Caltech’s campus and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which Caltech manages for NASA. By capitalizing on new frontiers in technology and the commercial space sector, the aim is to accelerate scientific achievement and discovery. This new paradigm will bridge academia, industry, and government to move projects expeditiously from ideation and maturation to implementation, serving as a launchpad for new possibilities. The Brinson Foundation, founded by Gary P. Brinson, former president, and CEO of Brinson Partners Inc., now UBS Global Asset Management, became members of the Science Philanthropy Alliance in 2019, seeking advice on how to have a more meaningful philanthropic impact in the fields of astronomy, astrophysics, and cosmology.
“The Brinson Exploration Hub is a totally unique model because it brings together the exceptional expertise of scientists from Caltech’s campus and JPL, while also leveraging non-traditional opportunities for partnership, such as rapid advancements in technology and novel exploration opportunities driven by the commercial sector,” said Gary Brinson. “I am immensely proud of this contribution The Brinson Foundation has made in these areas of science. We extend our gratitude to the Science Philanthropy Alliance for their support and invaluable insights shared throughout our multi-year learning process leading up to this gift, which is an extension of the Foundation’s continued investments in education and scientific research,” added Brinson.
Alliance President Dr. France A. Córdova noted, “We are privileged to have partnered closely with The Brinson Foundation on this remarkable gift which will not only expand our knowledge in the fields of astrophysics and astronomy but also inspire others to dream, learn and do more. As an astrophysicist, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Gary Brinson and The Brinson Foundation on helping to propel scientific discovery in our vast universe forward.”
Mark Simons, John W. and Herberta M. Miles Professor of Geophysics at Caltech, who served as JPL chief scientist from 2017 to 2023, will lead the Brinson Exploration Hub as its inaugural director. “Projects at the Brinson Hub will test fundamental theories, explore remote regions of Earth and space, and demonstrate critical new technologies” says Simons. “I expect results will be revolutionary and awe-inspiring to both the scientific community and the broader society.”
Marc Kastner, External Science Advisor, and the first President of the Science Philanthropy Alliance remarked, “It has been an immense pleasure working with Gary and The Brinson Foundation over the past years. I am especially impressed by the evolution of Gary’s philanthropic efforts, which has led to the creation of the Brinson Prize Fellowships and now the establishment of the Brinson Exploration Hub.”
Kastner has been providing personalized advisory services to The Brinson Foundation since they joined the Alliance in 2019.
The Brinson Exploration Hub will provide essential support for multi-disciplinary teams to test innovative ideas in space and on Earth, which have the potential to enhance our knowledge of Earth, the solar system, and the wider universe. In addition to offering crucial assistance to such teams, the Brinson Hub will offer unparalleled opportunities for undergraduates, graduates, and postdoctoral scholars at Caltech to engage in space exploration, technology demonstrations, and the engineering and development of instrumentation for small-scale missions.
Elizabeth Weiss, Senior Director of Philanthropic Advising for the Alliance, who has been working with the Foundation since 2020, remarked, “It has been a great privilege collaborating with The Brinson Foundation in their endeavors and supporting this initiative, which is a shining example of philanthropy’s potential to support high-risk research that can significantly advance scientific exploration and knowledge.”
The Brinson Exploration Hub is expected to announce its first projects in late 2024. It will provide ongoing support for the benefit of science and for all fascinated by the mysteries of the cosmos.
About The Science Philanthropy Alliance
The Science Philanthropy Alliance works to advance scientific discovery through supporting visionary philanthropy. By providing advisory services for philanthropists, foundations, and platforms that catalyze connection, awareness, and learning, the Alliance strengthens philanthropic support for science that benefits society and the planet. Learn more at https://sciencephilanthropyalliance.org/.
About The Brinson Foundation
The Brinson Foundation is a family philanthropic organization that promotes liberty, personal initiative, and programs that enable individuals to positively contribute to society. Since it was established in 2001, the Foundation has made grants to help people reach their full potential through quality education programs, projects, and partnerships in Chicago and beyond. The Foundation’s support for fundamental scientific research is made in key areas with a focus on early career scientists in the fields of astronomy, astrophysics, and cosmology whose work may be considered risky or at a stage in which they are unlikely to receive government funding. Its Brinson Prize Fellowship postdoctoral program, administered in collaboration with the Space Telescope Science Institute, is awarded to observational cosmologists who chase bold ideas with creative, innovative research. Learn more at brinsonfoundation.org.