[Researchnews] W.M. Keck Foundation Pre-proposal Information

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W.M. Keck Foundation Pre-proposal Information



The W.M. Keck Foundation offers the opportunity to discuss potential projects with universities before proposals are submitted.  UCR may submit one Phase I Application each in the areas of Medical Research and Science/Engineering Research every six months.



The next deadline is May 1, 2022, following a consultation period ending on February 15.  Interested faculty should submit an internal preproposal following the below one-page format at Limited Submissions | Research and Economic Development (ucr.edu)<https://research.ucr.edu/ord/limitedsubmissions> by December 20th, 2021.  Please do not submit anything directly to the Keck Foundation.  Up to four concepts in Medical Research and four in Science/Engineering Research will be submitted to and reviewed by Keck Foundation program officers, with feedback provided on each.



Keck's typical grant is for $1 Million over three years.  See http://www.wmkeck.org/grant-programs/research/eligibility-and-priorities for details.



A successful Keck proposal:

  *   Focuses on important and emerging areas of research
  *   Has the potential to develop breakthrough technologies or methodologies
  *   Is innovative, distinctive and interdisciplinary
  *   Demonstrates a high level of risk due to unconventional approaches, or by challenging a prevailing paradigm
  *   Has the potential for transformative impact, such as the founding of a new field of research, the enabling of observations not previously possible, or the altered perception of a previously intractable problem
  *   Falls outside the mission of public funding agencies


For the consultation phase, only a one-page concept paper is required (not the three pages that are usually part of UCR's Limited Submission process).  Projects proposed must already have been declined by a federal agency.  Ideally, reviews reflect that the research is innovative, exciting, and would have a large impact, but is too risky or falls outside the scope of federal agencies.  The Keck Foundation will request previous federal feedback as part of their review process.



Some common reasons why concepts are rejected by Keck:



  *   The project is not ambitious enough (i.e. it represents only a small advance vs. creating a new paradigm).
  *   The proposal does not fully detail the scope of work and potential impact.
  *   The proposal lacks clear research methodology.
  *   The project focuses on disease-related therapies or treatments (in the case of medical research) as opposed to bench science.
  *   The project is focused on a device as opposed to bench science.

  *   The project focuses on revision or scaling of existing technology.
  *   The project focuses on implementation or policy.


Per the Keck Foundation's guidelines at Concept Papers (wmkeck.org)<http://www.wmkeck.org/grant-programs/research/application-process-14030/214-grantprograms/shared/1482-concept-papers>, Single-paged concepts for the Research Program must be in 12-point Times New Roman font with 1 inch margins and should include:



  *   Organization Name, Project Title, and Full Name of Principal Investigator



  *   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 listing of key personnel;


  *   A brief justification of the need for W.M. Keck Foundation support; and


  *   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).



Illustrations are not recommended at this phase as they take space needed for text. If a reference is necessary, abbreviate it as (Science, 323, 45, '11). DO NOT USE (Jones et al., 2011).  If space allows, the authors are free to add other details (e.g., background to put the research into perspective, description of the institution's prominence in the field, etc.)



Here is more information from the Keck Foundation's home page:  Supporting pioneering discoveries in science, engineering and medicine has been our mandate from the beginning. By funding the high-risk/high-impact work of leading researchers, we are laying the groundwork for new paradigms, technologies and discoveries that will save lives, provide innovative solutions, and add to our understanding of the world. Both Senior and Early Career investigators are encouraged to apply.



Questions may be directed to Bryan Carlson, Executive Director of Foundation Development, at bryan.carlson at ucr.edu<mailto:bryan.carlson at ucr.edu>.


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