The mission of The G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation is to advance knowledge in the life sciences by sponsoring scientific research that will benefit mankind. The foundation’s grants program seeks to support innovative, potentially transformative basic science projects in fields including immunology, microbiome, genomics, structural biology, cellular physiology and neuroscience. The grant duration is three years, and requested budgets should be realistic for the project (consider the type of investigation, models used, supply requirements, size of the team, etc.). Indirect costs may not exceed 10 percent. Grant budgets should be no more than $700,000 (including 10% indirect expenses) over three years.

The Foundation primarily supports basic science, ideally with potential translational applications. Immunology, microbiome, genomics, structural biology, cellular physiology, neuroscience, etc., are some noteworthy examples of current research support. 

Plant biology, oceanography, space exploration, COVID-19, medical imaging technology-related projects, electrical engineering technology development projects, and global warming research will not be considered for support. In addition, medical imaging technology related projects and/or electrical engineering technology development projects will not be considered for support. 

• Investigations in basic science and translational research may be reliant on collaborative, interdisciplinary projects. Interdisciplinary project proposals may require additional information regarding collaborator(s)’ achievements and relevant expertise.
• Awards may not be used to purchase capital equipment.
• The Foundation does not support research conducted in human subjects and will not fund requests for clinical trials or drug discovery. The Foundation will not support research projects which we consider pre-clinical drug development. 
• Renewal applications for the same or related research will not be accorded priority consideration. It is strongly advised that any re-application for grant renewal consider a new direction based on prior research or emphasize some new potential translational aspects and not merely an extension of previously funded research. 
• Requests for funding previously federally supported research and/or applications pending federal approval will not be accorded priority consideration.
• In general, the Mathers Foundation reviewers look for innovative, novel proposals, which have scientific merit with an established published proof of concept, and which may not be fundable at the federal level.  

UD White Paper Deadline: 02/07/2025, 11:59 PM
Mathers Nomination and Portal Registration Deadline: 02/28/2025, 8 PM EST (Must be completed in order to submit a LOI)
Mathers LOI Deadline: March 14, 2025, 8 PM EST (Applicants notified of full proposal invitation within a month of the due date.)
Due Date for Invited Proposals: May 23, 2025, 8 PM EST

Link to FOA Here: Mathers Foundation Application 

Candidate Eligibility: Individuals with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as a Principal Investigator (PI) are invited to work with their organizations to develop an application. Individuals from underrepresented groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply.  

Institutional Limit: UD may submit up to three (3) letters of intent.

Application Information:  Interested applicants must submit a CV, C&P, and a summary of their proposed research (< 2 pages) including a preliminary set of aims and a discussion of proof of concept/previous or related work. Applications not adhering to this requirement will be returned without review.

Merit Review Criteria: Research summaries will be reviewed based on the criteria detailed in the solicitation.