The Science Foundation
Public Science, Public Good
What Ifs…? Fall 2026
Request for Applications
Applications Open: Monday Sept 21, 2026 8am Pacific Time
Application Deadline: Mon October 12th, 2026 midnight Pacific Time, or when the first 200 submissions are received, whichever comes first.
Program Details
- Maximum $10K per project
- Estimated 5-10 funded projects, based on availability of funds and quality of applications
Program Contact: whatifs@science-foundation.org
Program Updates: scifnd.substack.org (We will post when we have received 200 applications)
Synopsis
We learn through the scientific method of testing ideas about the natural world against observations and experiences. This curiosity to explore is ingrained in the human spirit and forms the ethos of what is often called “basic science”. Basic science has at least three tangible benefits, the first being the pragmatic addition of new information to our ever-growing library of knowledge. A second and more diffuse benefit is the elevation of evidence-based thinking, supporting better decision-making. Perhaps most importantly, scientific discoveries fuel technological breakthroughs that improve lives, often many years later and following unpredictable twists and turns. In our inaugural funding cycle, we seek to support basic science projects with any or all of these benefits in mind.
Program Scope
What Ifs…? will generally support the expansion of the scope or depth of an ongoing project, although requests for seed money will also be considered. Supported projects will seek to answer questions rooted in curiosity about the natural world through empirical or theoretical means. Successful applicants are expected to embrace the opportunity to use their project as a foundation for science communication through a variety of media.
Projects should clearly fall into basic research, informing one or more fields or subfields within math, physics, chemistry, biology, and/or earth science. Projects that are primarily biomedical, address engineering or computer science questions, or are largely applied in scope are not eligible for support.
As projects are limited to $10,000, we offer several examples of how “What Ifs” funds might be deployed and we encourage even more imaginative thinking!
- A training program or visit to another lab to learn a new technique or use a particular instrument.
- Support for a short-term research assistant to contribute to data collection or analysis.
- A visit to a collection or field site to collect data or materials.
- Electronics or robotics to serve a creative custom purpose.
- External services requiring specialized reagents, infrastructure, or software.
Eligibility:
Applications may be submitted by individuals affiliated with either:
- Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) – Two- and four-year IHEs (including community and tribal colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US.
- Non-profit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, located in the US.
Who may serve as project lead: Anyone with an affiliation as described above. We welcome applications from individuals at any career stage.
Limit on Number of Applications per Project Lead: One.
Review Mechanism and Criteria:
Applications will consist of a 3-min video along with a graphic and short written description suitable for both subject matter experts as well as a general but scientifically literate audience (see “How to Apply.”). Applications will be made public following screening and review. Applications will be reviewed based on two criteria:
Criterion 1: Scientific Merit
The project should articulate a clear question or hypothesis. Submissions should explain how the funds will stimulate or enable launch of the project, and how it fits into a larger area of inquiry. Blue-sky, risky or “out of the box” ideas are welcomed as long as there is a compelling scientific rationale. A clear description of what you plan to do is essential for reviewers to evaluate the scientific merit of your submission.
Criterion 2: Applicant Merit
Successful submissions will communicate curiosity and inspiration about the project. Submissions should convey the story of why the applicant is excited about the science they’re proposing.
Note: Perceived institutional quality and academic credentials are not a component of applicant merit and will not be considered during evaluation.
How to Apply:
Visit https://science-foundation.org/what-ifs-2026-apply during the application window for the submission link. We will request:
Project Title [50 chars, including spaces]
Category (field[s] of science)
Project graphic [photo, conceptual diagram, meme, … 4:5 aspect ratio]:
In 200 characters or less, what is the research question that you want to address?
In 200 characters or less, why are you excited about this question?
In 200 characters or less, what are the goals of your project?
What subdisciplines of science does your project address (free-form)?
3 minute video (5Gb max file size)
Your video should pitch your research idea to a general but scientifically literate audience. Please cover the following information in this order:
- What background is needed to understand your question?
- What is your question?
- Why are you personally interested in this question and why should others be interested in it?
- [Optional] What else are you doing to study this question, if anything?
- What will you do to answer your question, and how would a What If accelerate that insight? What specific science will you do with the funds?
- How will your results inform our understanding of the world?
Your video does not need to contain your likeness, but it can. Videos should not contain personal or institutional information. Videos should be respectful, positive in tone, and non-partisan. The three minute time limit will be strictly enforced; any submissions with a time over 3 minutes will not be evaluated.
Bio: Please include a brief bio with the following two pieces of information formatted as bullet points:
- Your Career Stage
- One sentence summarizing why you care about science
No collaborators are permitted on these projects.
No endorsements are permitted for this competition. After our review process, you may request endorsements for crowdfunding purposes.
Budget:
The Science Foundation supports projects through gifts made to your institution. Thus, if a project is recommended for support, eligibility to receive a gift at the applicant’s institution is required. Gifts are not subject to specific deliverables and timelines, and spending is at the discretion of the applicant in accordance with applicable federal and institutional policies. The Science Foundation does not permit indirect costs to be collected by institutions.
The application portal will request budget detail and timeline to enable other potential funders to evaluate whether they would also like to invest in your project. The Science Foundation does not consider these details when making gifts, but it is important that you describe what you plan to do in your video so that our reviewers are able to evaluate the scientific merit of your project.
Funding Decisions:
The Science Foundation aims to make funding decisions within 6 weeks of the application deadline.
What is The Science Foundation?
The Science Foundation is a non-profit project fiscally sponsored by the 501c3 Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs (SEE) [EIN: 95-4116679]. We are 100% funded by donations. Our mission is to catalyze discoveries in the mathematical, physical, and biological sciences through a transparent and responsive funding process grounded in public engagement.