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 basic science, ideally with potential translational applications. Immunology, microbiome, genomics, structural biology, cellular physiology, neuroscience, etc., are some noteworthy examples of current research support. PSU may submit up to four letters of intent for each cycle. It is the Foundation's expectation that trusted partners will conduct an internal search for LOIs that are consistent with our mission and guidelines.
For many years the Foundation has enjoyed special recognition in the research community in supporting “basic” scientific research, realizing that true transformative breakthroughs usually occur after a thorough understanding of the fundamental mechanisms underlying natural phenomena. More recently, and with the advent of newer investigative methodologies, technology, and tools, the Foundation now embraces innovative translational research proposals.
Award information
- The grant duration must be three years
- Grant budgets should be no more than $600-750K (including indirect expenses) over three years. The budget should be reasonable based on the aims of the project. Indirect costs may not exceed 10%.
- Preliminary Budgets are required during the LOI phase and should include an estimate of the major costs for compensation, supplies, etc.. A detailed budget justification is not required until the proposal phase. For guidance on an appropriate budget, please contact Jessica Kiely, MEd., Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations
- The Foundation’s grant award is not intended to be utilized for purchasing capital equipment (“bricks-and-mortar”) for the lab and is intended only to support the actual investigation. The Foundation assumes and expects that capital equipment must be provided by the research institution or university.
- The Foundation's expectation is that an investigation will be completed within the requested duration of the grant (up to 3 years). A no-cost extension may be requested if the investigation has not been completed and there are still funds available. If at the end of the grant term, the aims of the project have not been met, an explanation should be provided to the Foundation. (The primary investigator is urged to consider a proposed modification of the project’s original aims to prevent such a situation from occurring.)
Application Guidance
- 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.
- Covid-19 related research projects (aims or sub-aims) will not be considered for support.
- Medical imaging technology related projects and/or electrical engineering technology development projects will not be considered for support.
- Plant Biology Research, Oceanography, Space Exploration. and Global Warming related research will not be considered for support.
- As technology continues to advance, it is apparent that investigations in the area of basic science and translational research may become more and more reliant on collaborative, interdisciplinary projects. It is important to note that any interdisciplinary project proposals may require additional information regarding collaborator(s)’ achievements and relevant expertise.
- Feedback for declined LOI Requests will not be provided; LOIs or Formal Proposals that have been declined should not be resubmitted at a later date for consideration.
- 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.
- Requests for support of clinical trials or drug discovery will not be approved. The Foundation will not support projects which we consider pre-clinical drug development, or optimization of existing therapy.
Mathers Application Process:
- Institutional nomination by the development/foundation relations office is a requirement for each LOI. The University/Institutional Development or Grants Office must submit an email with the (up to) four applications that they are submitting each cycle to grants@mathersfoundation.org prior to the due date for that cycle.
- The development officer’s name should be included on all applications (LOI’s)- as the Secondary Contact. The PI is the Primary Contact. The Grant Contract office is the Primary Signatory and becomes important when the LOI is invited to submit a formal proposal and is approved for a grant award.
- In 2024, the Mathers Foundation is changing cycle frequency for grant applications- moving from 3 cycles of reviews/year to 2/cycles/year (Spring, Fall).
Please plan to connect with staff from the Office of Foundation Relations, who will consult on proposal narrative elements, answer foundation-related questions, and assist the down-select nominee[s] with their submission. Applicants please contact Jessica Kiely, MEd., Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Penn State College of Medicine (jkiely1@pennstatehealth.psu.edu) for additional support.
Interested applicants should upload the following documents in sequence in one PDF file (File name: Last name_Mathers_Spring2024.pdf) no later than 4:00 p.m. on the internal submission deadline:
1. Cover Letter (1 page, pdf):
- Descriptive title of proposed activity
- PI name, departmental affiliations(s) and contact information
- Co-PI's names and departmental affiliation(s)
- Names of other key personnel
- Participating institution(s)
- Number and title of this funding opportunity
2. Project Summary (no more than 7000 characters with spaces, pdf) to include a short summary of the proposed research project.
3. Preliminary Estimated Budget (1 page max.) - Please provide a preliminary budget figure, which should include any indirect/overhead expenses (up to 10% of direct expenses). A detailed budget justification is not required until the proposal phase.
4. Aims of Project (no more than 2000 characters with spaces, pdf)
5. Proof of concept, previous or related work (no more than 2000 characters with spaces, pdf)
6. Brief summary of your most impactful discoveries and/or best publications (no more than 2500 characters with spaces, pdf) - Please provide a brief summary of your most impactful discoveries and/or best publications. The discoveries and papers discussed in this section do not necessarily have to be related to the subject matter of this application.)
7. 2-page CV's of Investigators
Formatting Guidelines:
Font/size: Times New Roman (12 pt.)
Document margins: 1.0” (top, bottom, left and right)
Standard paper size (8 ½” x 11)
Questions concerning the limited submissions process may be submitted to limitedsubs@psu.edu.