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The Grass Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.9M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo

The Grass Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ~$881,873 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $25,992,549 (2023)
  • Decision Time: 8-10 weeks (October-January application cycle)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - ~$50,000 (individual fellowship value)
  • Geographic Focus: International (with some US-only programs)
  • Founded: 1955

Contact Details

Overview

The Grass Foundation is a private foundation established in 1955 to advance knowledge principally in the field of neurophysiology and allied fields of medicine and science. The Foundation emerged from the partnership of Albert M. Grass and Ellen H. Robinson, who met at Harvard Medical School's Department of Physiology in 1935. Their collaboration led to both the Grass Instrument Company—which provided scientific equipment to neuroscientists for over half a century—and the establishment of this Foundation.

With total assets of approximately $26 million and annual charitable disbursements exceeding $1 million, the Foundation operates several prestigious programs supporting early-career neuroscientists. Their flagship Grass Fellowship Program at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, has been nurturing independent researchers since 1955. The Foundation emphasizes inclusivity and accessibility, with President Matt McFarlane stating that the Foundation's mission is to "support the exceptional, encourage the daring, and cultivate an ecosystem where both individual growth and collaboration thrive."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Grass Fellowship Program (~$50,000 value per fellowship) The flagship program provides 14 weeks of independent research support at MBL, including:

  • Laboratory space, animals, equipment, and up to $5,000 in supplies
  • Daily meal allowance and housing (for fellow, spouse/partner, and dependents)
  • Round-trip travel to Woods Hole
  • 7-10 fellowships awarded annually
  • Application via online portal with priority deadline (October 15) and final deadline (December 1)

2. Henry Grass Rising Stars in Neuroscience Award ($10,000 + recognition awards)

  • Primary prize: $10,000
  • Up to five additional $1,000 Trustees Recognition Awards
  • Mentorship and professional support from Foundation alumni network
  • Application period: January 1 through April 1 annually

3. Partner-Administered Programs (amounts vary)

  • Donald B. Lindsley Prize in Behavioral Neuroscience ($5,000) - via Society for Neuroscience
  • Ellen and Albert Grass Lecture - via Society for Neuroscience
  • Forbes Lectureship - direct invitation
  • SFN Grass Lecturers
  • Grass-ANA Award - via American Neurological Association
  • Travel Awards - via American Epilepsy Society and Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience

4. Educational Support Programs

  • Support for MBL Neural Systems & Behavior (NS&B) Course
  • Support for MBL Neurobiology Course
  • Outreach workshops for under-resourced institutions

Priority Areas

  • Neurophysiology and biophysics
  • Integrative neurobiology and neuroethology
  • Neuroanatomy and neuropharmacology
  • Systems neuroscience
  • Cellular and developmental neurobiology
  • Computational approaches to neural systems
  • Epilepsy-related research (longstanding interest)
  • Comparative and integrative neuroscience
  • Neuroscience education in underserved communities

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations or projects outside neuroscience/neurophysiology
  • Unsolicited general charitable requests (they do not accept unsolicited requests for funds outside their established programs)
  • Research that is merely "increasing the 'n' of an ongoing story" without independent merit
  • PhD thesis writing combined with fellowship (applicants should not combine a Grass Fellowship with writing a thesis)

Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees

  • Matthew B. McFarlane - President (2024-2027), Grout Projects
  • Bernice Grafstein - Vice President, Life Trustee, Weill Cornell Medical College
  • Joshua Grass - Treasurer
  • Gwyneth Card - Associate Professor, Zuckerman Institute, Columbia University
  • Catherine E. Carr - Life Trustee, University of Maryland
  • Guoping Feng - MIT
  • Henry J. Grass - Life Trustee
  • Ron R. Hoy - Life Trustee, Cornell
  • Kamran Khodakhah - Life Trustee
  • A. Kimberly McAllister - Vice Provost, Wake Forest University
  • Gina Poe - Professor, University of California, Los Angeles
  • Felix E. Schweizer - Life Trustee, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA
  • Steven J. Zottoli - Trustee, Marine Biological Laboratory

Leadership Quotes

President Matt McFarlane on the Foundation's philosophy: "The progress of neuroscience is propelled by the brilliance and dedication of extraordinary people."

On their mission: "We take pride in our efforts to bring neuroscience education to under-resourced communities and institutions, believing that great ideas and talent are everywhere, awaiting the right attention to bloom."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Grass Fellowship Program:

  1. Submit application through the online portal at grassfoundation.org/application-portal/
  2. Required materials include research proposal, CV, and letters of recommendation
  3. Priority deadline: October 15 (allows opportunity for feedback and proposal amendments)
  4. Final deadline: December 1
  5. Contact: gfp@grassfoundation.org

Henry Grass Rising Stars Award:

  1. Self-nomination or nomination by others accepted
  2. Submit narrative on diversity role model experience (~600 words)
  3. Submit research accomplishments and scientific vision (~600 words)
  4. Include NIH-format biosketch
  5. Two recommendation letters sent to grassrisingstars@gmail.com
  6. Application period: January 1 - April 1

MBL Course Support:

  • Apply directly through MBL for Neural Systems & Behavior or Neurobiology courses
  • Application deadline: late January/early February

Decision Timeline

Grass Fellowship:

  • October 15: Priority deadline
  • December 1: Final deadline
  • December - Mid-January: Trustee evaluation
  • End of January: Decisions announced
  • End of February: Animal protocols submitted
  • Memorial Day: Fellowship begins
  • Labor Day: Fellowship concludes

Rising Stars Award:

  • April 1: Application deadline
  • December: Award announcement (typically announced with 2-3 months lead time)

Success Rates

The Foundation awards 7-10 Grass Fellowships annually. Based on 2023 Form 990 data showing 14 awards made across all programs, competition is selective but not explicitly quantified in terms of application numbers.

Reapplication Policy

Former Grass Fellows may reapply, but the Foundation requires "a strong argument as to why a second Grass Fellowship would be the best path" given that MBL offers other opportunities such as Whitman Fellowships. MBL course alumni are encouraged to apply for the Grass Fellowship.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Looks For

Based on their FAQ and program descriptions, successful applicants demonstrate:

  1. Independent Merit: Proposals must show independent merit "beyond increasing the 'n' of an ongoing story." The research should stand alone as a meaningful contribution.

  2. Organizational Abilities: Selection considers "applicants' organizational abilities, proposed research merit, and capacity for independent work."

  3. Career Commitment: Priority is given to applicants with "a demonstrated commitment to pursuing a research career."

  4. Critical Career Stage: The Foundation targets researchers at the "critical period" when "the possibility of becoming their own PI during the summer will help develop self-confidence and drive to pursue an independent research career."

  5. Fit with MBL Resources: Research need not focus on marine organisms—the MBL accommodates "marine and freshwater species (e.g., fish, amphibians), invertebrates (e.g., insects, gastropods), and small vertebrates such as mice or rats."

For Rising Stars Award

Successful applicants demonstrate:

  • Clear self-identification as women or members of underrepresented racial/ethnic groups
  • Strong advocacy or mentorship contributions to diversity in science
  • Research excellence during the critical postdoctoral period (3-7 years post-PhD)
  • Not yet holding a tenure-track position

Examples of Recently Funded Projects

The 2024-2025 Grass Fellows and Rising Stars awardees include researchers working on:

  • Behavioral neuroscience
  • Systems neuroscience
  • Comparative neurobiology
  • Epilepsy-related research

Tips from the Foundation

  • Submit by the October 15 priority deadline to receive feedback and potentially amend your proposal
  • MBL course alumni have demonstrated relevant experience and are encouraged to apply
  • International applicants must secure appropriate visa status (J-1, H-1B, F-1, or F1-OPT) for the full 14-week duration
  • Do not plan to combine the fellowship with thesis writing

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Focused Mission: The Grass Foundation exclusively supports neuroscience and neurophysiology—applications outside this scope will not be considered.

  2. Early Career Focus: All major programs target early-career researchers at critical transition points. The fellowship is designed for late-stage doctoral students through early assistant professors.

  3. Independence Valued: The Foundation seeks researchers who can work independently. Proposals should demonstrate self-direction and original thinking, not just extensions of advisor projects.

  4. Priority Deadline Advantage: The October 15 priority deadline offers the unique opportunity to receive feedback and revise your proposal before final submission.

  5. Diversity Commitment: The Rising Stars Award specifically supports underrepresented groups, and the Foundation broadly emphasizes accessibility and outreach to under-resourced communities.

  6. MBL Experience Helpful: Prior experience with MBL courses (NS&B or Neurobiology) is viewed favorably and can serve as a pathway to the Grass Fellowship.

  7. All-Volunteer Leadership: The Board of Trustees consists of accomplished neuroscientists who receive no compensation—demonstrating deep personal commitment to the Foundation's mission.

References

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