Simons Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $291.4 million (2023)
• Success Rate: 15-30% (at full proposal stage for highly competitive programs like Simons Collaborations)
• Decision Time: 2 months (LOI); 3 months (full proposal for Targeted Grants)
• Grant Range: $3,000 - $12,000,000
• Geographic Focus: United States (primarily), with some international programs
• Total Grants (2023): 1,904 awards

Contact Details

Main Office: 160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor New York, New York 10010

Phone: 646-654-0066 Fax: 646-654-0220 Email: info@simonsfoundation.org Website: https://www.simonsfoundation.org

For Grant Inquiries: [email protected] | 646-654-0066

Overview

The Simons Foundation was established in 1994 by mathematician and financier James Simons and his wife Marilyn Simons with a mission to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences. With assets exceeding $5 billion as of 2022, the foundation has grown into one of the largest private funders of fundamental science in the United States, distributing approximately $291 million across 1,904 grants in 2023. The foundation focuses on theoretical advances and fundamental understanding rather than applied research, supporting work in mathematics, theoretical physics, computer science, life sciences, neuroscience, and autism research. In 2021, astrophysicist David Spergel assumed the presidency from co-founders Jim and Marilyn Simons, maintaining their vision that "great science is rooted in great mathematics" and continuing the foundation's commitment to long-term, high-risk, high-reward research that enables scientists to pursue fundamental questions without pressure for immediate practical applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Simons Investigators

• Amount: Up to $192,000 per year ($150,000 research support, $10,000 departmental support, up to 20% indirect costs)
• Duration: Five years, renewable for an additional five years
• Focus: Outstanding theoretical mid-career scientists in mathematics, physics, astrophysics, and computer science
• Method: Institutional nomination required; annual deadline

Simons Collaborations in Mathematics and Physical Sciences (MPS)

• Amount: Up to $2 million per year
• Duration: Four years initially
• Focus: Fundamental scientific questions requiring collaborative, cross-disciplinary approaches
• Method: Letter of Intent; deadline October 29, 2025

Simons Collaborations in Ecology and Evolution

• Focus: Emerging breakthrough areas integrating multiple scales and disciplines
• Method: Vision Statement deadline October 16, 2025

Targeted Grants in Mathematics and Physical Sciences

• Amount: Varies significantly (project-dependent)
• Focus: High-risk, high-reward theoretical work; institutes and research centers
• Method: Rolling Letter of Intent submissions via Simons Award Manager (SAM)

Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI)

• Annual Budget: Over $100 million
• Programs Include:
  • Pilot Awards: Up to $330,000 for two years (small-scale, early-stage projects)
  • Research Awards: For experienced investigators with preliminary data
  • Explorer Awards: High-risk/high-impact exploratory experiments
  • Bridge to Independence Awards: $85,000 annual postdoc salary + $10,000 resources for two years, then $600,000 over three years as faculty
  • Fellows-to-Faculty Awards: $600,000 three-year faculty research grant
• Method: Request for Applications (RFA) cycles

Collaboration Grants for Mathematicians

• Amount: $7,000 per year
• Duration: Five years
• Focus: Travel and collaboration support for active US-based researchers
• Method: Annual deadline via proposalCENTRAL

Simons Dissertation Fellowship in Mathematics

• Focus: Exceptional graduate students in final PhD years
• Method: Annual application cycle

AMS-Simons Research Grants for PUI Faculty

• Amount: Up to $3,000 annually
• Focus: Faculty at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions
• Recipients: At least 40 awards per year

Priority Areas

• Mathematics and Theoretical Physics: Fundamental questions in pure mathematics, theoretical physics, astrophysics, and theoretical computer science
• Life Sciences: Plant biology, ecology, evolution, cross-disciplinary biological research
• Neuroscience: Systems and computational neuroscience, cognitive aging, brain plasticity
• Autism Research: Basic science of autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders
• Collaborative Science: Projects bringing together investigators from different disciplines
• Early Career Support: Postdoctoral fellowships and faculty transition support

What They Don't Fund

• Applied research requiring immediate practical applications
• For-profit organizations
• Unsolicited applications outside specific funding cycles
• Research outside core areas: Work not related to mathematics, basic physical sciences, life sciences, neuroscience, or autism
• Projects without ethical approval: Human or animal research without proper institutional review board approval
• Work at institutions lacking proper conduct standards: Organizations that don't maintain environments free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation

Governance and Leadership

Leadership

President:

• David Spergel, Ph.D. (2021-present) — Astrophysicist, emeritus professor at Princeton University, former director of the Center for Computational Astrophysics at the Flatiron Institute

On assuming the presidency, Spergel stated: "The foundation will stay true to its mission of supporting basic science but will continue to evolve and address new questions."

Board of Trustees

Chair:

• Marilyn H. Simons, Ph.D. — Co-Founder, Chair and Trustee

Vice Chair:

• Shirley M. Tilghman, Ph.D. — Trustee and Vice Chair

Trustees:

• Cori Bargmann, Ph.D.
• Emery N. Brown, M.D., Ph.D.
• Ingrid Daubechies, Ph.D.
• Robbert Dijkgraaf
• David Eisenbud, Ph.D.
• Bill Ford, M.B.A.
• Andrew Golden, M.P.P.M.
• Peter B. Littlewood, Ph.D.
• Jill Pipher, Ph.D.
• William H. Press, Ph.D.
• Nat Simons
• Ellen Taus, M.B.A.

Emeritus Trustee:

• Gerald D. Fischbach, M.D.

In Memoriam:

• James H. Simons, Ph.D., Co-Founder and Chair Emeritus (1938–2024)

Founding Vision

Jim Simons emphasized the leadership approach: "Surround yourself with the smartest and best people you possibly can; let them do their thing. Don't sit on top of them. If they're smarter than you, all the better." Marilyn Simons noted their unique position: "We could fund the early stages of a project, but we could also take a longer-term view: we could think about a big project that could take 10 years and stick with the researchers [during that time]. That's a harder thing for the government to do."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Simons Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications outside specific funding cycles or Requests for Applications (RFAs). Interested applicants must:

1. Monitor the Foundation Website: Check https://www.simonsfoundation.org/funding-opportunities/ regularly for open opportunities
2. Subscribe to Updates: Sign up for the foundation's newsletter for announcements
3. Register Early: Create accounts on required platforms before deadlines:
   • proposalCENTRAL (https://proposalcentral.com/) for most programs
   • Simons Award Manager (SAM) for Targeted Grants and select programs
4. Coordinate with Institution: Most programs require signature from institutional sponsored research office; ensure your institution and signing officials are registered

Application Platforms by Program:

• Most Programs: Submit via proposalCENTRAL
• Targeted Grants: Submit Letter of Intent via Simons Award Manager (SAM)
• SFARI Programs: Check specific RFA requirements at https://www.sfari.org/funding-opportunities/

Institutional Requirements:

• Institutional signing official approval required (except Simons Symposia applications)
• For-profit organizations may not apply
• Current ethical approval documentation required for human/animal research

Decision Timeline

Targeted Grants (Rolling):

• LOI Review: 2 months from submission
• Full Proposal Review: 3 months from submission (if invited after LOI approval)
• Full Proposal Invitation: At least 3 months provided from LOI approval to full proposal deadline

Major Collaborations:

• Timeline: 6-12 months (multiple review stages)
• Process: Highly selective; expect 10-20 spokesperson PIs invited to full proposal stage, with 3-5 ultimately funded

Simons Investigators:

• Review Period: Several months following annual deadline
• Institutional Limits: One nomination per institution for each program area

SFARI Programs:

• Varies by specific RFA; check individual program guidelines

Success Rates

Overall Statistics (2023):

• 1,904 awards made from total application pool
• Highly competitive across all programs

Program-Specific Competitiveness:

Simons Collaborations: Approximately 15-30% success rate at full proposal stage (10-20 invited to full proposal; 3-5 funded)

Investigator Programs: Extremely selective; institutional nomination limits add to competition

General Advice: The foundation emphasizes fundamental, theoretical work with potential for major breakthroughs. Applications demonstrating high-risk, high-reward approaches aligned with the foundation's mission of advancing basic science are prioritized.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation's general policy allows unsuccessful applicants to reapply in subsequent cycles. Revised proposals based on reviewer feedback are welcomed. No specific waiting periods are documented for most programs, though applicants should check individual program guidelines.

Application Success Factors

1. Alignment with Fundamental Science Mission The Simons Foundation is "committed to basic science without requiring immediate applications, emphasizing theoretical advances and fundamental understanding over practical outcomes." Successful applications focus on fundamental questions rather than applied research or near-term practical impact.

2. High-Risk, High-Reward Approach Jim and Marilyn Simons described their funding philosophy as "investing in projects that are 'a little crazy.'" The foundation explicitly prioritizes "high-risk/high-impact proposals" and "innovative" work, particularly in programs like SFARI Explorer Awards.

3. Collaborative and Cross-Disciplinary Work Since launching the Simons Collaborations model in 2012, the foundation "seeks to create strong collaborations and foster the cross-pollination of ideas between investigators, as these interactions often lead to unexpected breakthroughs." Projects integrating multiple disciplines or scales are particularly valued.

4. Long-Term Research Vision The foundation's structure allows for "long-term investigations of fundamental questions" and support for projects that "could take 10 years." Applications should demonstrate sustained research programs rather than short-term projects.

5. Mathematical Foundations A core tenet is that "great science is rooted in great mathematics." Even in life sciences and neuroscience programs, strong quantitative or computational approaches strengthen applications.

6. Institutional Support and Preparation Because most programs require institutional signing official approval, early coordination with sponsored research offices is essential. Institutions must be registered with required platforms before deadlines.

7. Quality Over Quantity With only 1,904 grants from $291 million in annual giving, average grant sizes are substantial. The foundation supports fewer, larger projects rather than numerous small grants, indicating preference for comprehensive, well-developed proposals.

Recent Funded Projects (2024-2025) as Examples:

• $8 million over four years to Simons Collaboration on Black Holes and Strong Gravity (Alex Lupsasca, Vanderbilt) — 12 co-PIs developing theoretical framework for gravitational-wave data
• Targeted Grants to multiple universities for projects ranging from particle physics (Isobel Ojalvo, Princeton) to radio astronomy (Anthony Beasley, NRAO)

8. Early Career Trajectory For fellowship programs, the foundation seeks candidates with "demonstrated experience" (Research Awards) or "talented early career scientists" (Bridge to Independence) who show promise for significant scientific impact.

9. Compliance with Ethics and Conduct Standards Grants require current human/animal research ethical approval and institutional environments complying with anti-discrimination, anti-harassment policies.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Check website regularly and subscribe to newsletter — The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications; all opportunities are announced through specific funding cycles or RFAs
• Emphasize fundamental questions over applications — Focus proposals on theoretical advances and basic understanding rather than practical outcomes or immediate applications
• Demonstrate high-risk, high-reward potential — The foundation specifically seeks innovative, potentially transformative work that other funders might consider "a little crazy"
• Highlight collaborative and cross-disciplinary approaches — Projects integrating multiple fields or bringing together investigators from different disciplines are strongly favored
• Present long-term research vision — The foundation's structure supports multi-year, sustained investigations; frame work as part of a larger research program
• Start institutional coordination early — Register with proposalCENTRAL or SAM well before deadlines and coordinate with sponsored research office for required institutional signatures
• For highly competitive programs, institutional limits matter — Programs like Simons Investigators allow only one nomination per institution per area; internal selection processes may precede foundation submission

References

1. Simons Foundation. "Funding Opportunities." https://www.simonsfoundation.org/funding-opportunities/ (Accessed December 18, 2025)
2. Simons Foundation. "General Instructions for Application Submission." https://www.simonsfoundation.org/mathematics-physical-sciences/general-instructions-for-application-submission/ (Accessed December 18, 2025)
3. Simons Foundation. "Contact Us." https://www.simonsfoundation.org/contact-us/ (Accessed December 18, 2025)
4. Simons Foundation. "Leadership." https://www.simonsfoundation.org/leadership/ (Accessed December 18, 2025)
5. Simons Foundation. "Annual Reports." https://www.simonsfoundation.org/annual-reports/ (Accessed December 18, 2025)
6. Simons Foundation. "2024 Annual Report: Jim and Marilyn Simons' Enduring Vision for the Simons Foundation." https://annualreports.simonsfoundation.org/2024/jim-and-marilyn-simons-enduring-vision-for-the-simons-foundation/ (Accessed December 18, 2025)
7. Simons Foundation. "James Simons: My Guiding Principles." January 22, 2020. https://www.simonsfoundation.org/2020/01/22/my-guiding-principles/ (Accessed December 18, 2025)
8. Simons Foundation. "David Spergel Takes the Helm as President of the Simons Foundation." July 1, 2021. https://www.simonsfoundation.org/2021/07/01/david-spergel-takes-the-helm-as-president-of-the-simons-foundation/ (Accessed December 18, 2025)
9. Simons Foundation. "Targeted Grants in MPS." https://www.simonsfoundation.org/grant/targeted-grants-in-mps/ (Accessed December 18, 2025)
10. Simons Foundation. "Policies and Procedures." https://www.simonsfoundation.org/funding-opportunities/policies-and-procedures/ (Accessed December 18, 2025)
11. SFARI (Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative). "SFARI Funding Opportunities." https://www.sfari.org/funding-opportunities/ (Accessed December 18, 2025)
12. SFARI. "How to Apply." https://www.sfari.org/funding-opportunities/how-to-apply/ (Accessed December 18, 2025)
13. SFARI. "Grant Policies and Procedures." https://www.sfari.org/funding-opportunities/policies-and-procedures/ (Accessed December 18, 2025)
14. Lasker Foundation. "Investing In Projects That Are 'a Little Crazy' - Jim and Marilyn Simons on Science Philanthropy." https://laskerfoundation.org/investing-in-projects-that-are-a-little-crazy-jim-and-marilyn-simons-on-science-philanthropy/ (Accessed December 18, 2025)
15. Inside Philanthropy. "Simons Foundation." https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-s/simons-foundation (Accessed December 18, 2025)
16. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Simons Foundation Inc." https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133794889 (Accessed December 18, 2025)
17. Candid (Foundation Directory). "Simons Foundation." https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=SIMO056 (Accessed December 18, 2025)
18. Wikipedia. "Simons Foundation." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simons_Foundation (Accessed December 18, 2025)
19. University of Oxford MPLS Division. "Simons Foundation Investigators Program: call guidance." https://www.mpls.ox.ac.uk/research-funding/coordinated-bids/simons-foundation-investigators-programme/simons-foundation-investigators-program-call-guidance (Accessed December 18, 2025)
20. Vanderbilt University. "Simons Foundation awards $8 million grant to uncover secrets of black holes and strong gravity." https://as.vanderbilt.edu/news/2025/08/12/simons-foundation-awards-8-million-grant-to-uncover-secrets-of-black-holes-and-strong-gravity/ (Accessed December 18, 2025)