Overview

The Heising-Simons Foundation’s Science program solicits proposals for support of meetings, workshops, conferences, summer schools, research collaboration gatherings, and other events related to astronomy, cosmology, fundamental physics, and climate change science, as well as increasing the representation and retention of underrepresented groups within these areas.

We expect to fund up to $800,000 total in grants across two cycles of open calls closing in 2025, with approximately $400,000 being granted each cycle. Timelines for each cycle can be found here. Each grant will be between $20,000 and $80,000; other details and eligibility criteria can be found here.

Through its funding, the Science program has three main goals:

• • To enable basic scientific research,
  • To connect key stakeholders, and
  • To communicate scientific results.

Events play a pivotal role in these efforts: they facilitate connections between attendees; allow for the communication of progress and findings; and push science forward through discussion, collaboration, and shared learning. Communities are built through interaction, and events can provide a vital space to network and encounter diverse perspectives. For those early in their careers or that have identities that are underrepresented in their field, certain events can offer the opportunity to find a mentor or a sense of belonging and scientific identity. Bringing together disparate scientific communities or sub-fields often sparks creative new ideas that may not have occurred otherwise. 

With this open call, the Science program seeks to further support the scientific fields and communities we fund while also broadening our reach in the scientific community. We hope to form new partnerships with scientists, institutions, and communities we have not yet worked with.