Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation Inc.

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ~$4.6 million
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 3-4 months typically
• Grant Range: $25,000 - $250,000
• Geographic Focus: United States (Dreyfus Prize is international)

Contact Details

• Website: www.dreyfus.org
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (212) 753-1760
• Address: 405 Lexington Avenue, Suite 909, New York, NY 10174

Pre-application contact is encouraged for institutions new to the award process.

Overview

The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation was established in 1946 by chemist, inventor, and businessman Camille Dreyfus as a memorial to his brother Henry. With total assets of approximately $111.8 million and annual charitable disbursements of approximately $4.6 million, the Foundation exclusively serves the chemical sciences with a mission to "advance the science of chemistry, chemical engineering, and related sciences as a means of improving human relations and circumstances throughout the world." The Foundation focuses on supporting early-career faculty who excel in both research and teaching, recognizing exceptional research through the prestigious Dreyfus Prize, and funding lectureships at primarily undergraduate institutions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award: $100,000 unrestricted research grant

• For faculty within first six years of independent academic career
• Application: Institutional nomination (one per institution annually)
• Deadline: Late January/early February

Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award: $75,000 unrestricted research grant

• For faculty at primarily undergraduate institutions (4-12 years into career)
• Application: Institutional nomination (one per institution annually)
• Deadline: Early August

Jean Dreyfus Lectureship: $25,000

• Brings distinguished researchers to undergraduate institutions
• Includes summer research fellowships for students
• Deadline: August 1

Supplemental Grants: Up to $50,000

• For past Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholars only
• To complete high-impact research projects
• Deadline: Early September

Dreyfus Prize in the Chemical Sciences: $250,000

• Biennial award for exceptional research
• International eligibility
• Nomination only

Priority Areas

• Chemistry, biochemistry, materials chemistry, and chemical engineering
• Early-career faculty excellence in research and teaching
• Undergraduate education in chemical sciences
• Exceptional and original research advancing the field

What They Don't Fund

• Indirect costs or institutional overhead
• Academic-year salary
• Non-US organizations (except Dreyfus Prize)
• PhD-granting departments (Henry Dreyfus Award)
• General operating support

Governance and Leadership

H. Scott Walter - President Matthew V. Tirrell, Ph.D. - Senior Scientific Advisor (oversees scientific grant programs) Gerard Brandenstein - Managing Director Ali Chunovic - Senior Program Manager

Dr. Tirrell noted about their Machine Learning program sunset: "The explosive growth of interest and work relating to machine learning has driven our decision to sunset the programme."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

All programs are nomination-based through institutions. There is no open application process for individuals. Faculty must be nominated by their institution, with most programs limiting institutions to one nomination per year.

Decision Timeline

• Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar: Submit late January → Decision early May
• Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar: Submit early August → Decision early November
• Jean Dreyfus Lectureship: Submit August 1 → Decision early November
• Supplemental Grants: Submit early September → Decision early November

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. Based on observable data:

• Camille Dreyfus: ~18-19 awards annually
• Henry Dreyfus: ~8-9 awards annually
• Jean Dreyfus Lectureship: ~8 awards annually

Reapplication Policy

Renominations are explicitly accepted with no waiting period. The Foundation welcomes calls to discuss best practices for resubmissions ([email protected]).

Application Success Factors

For Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar:

• Primary criterion: Leadership in original scholarly research of outstanding quality
• External letters of support carry significant weight
• Awardees tend to be near the end of their six-year eligibility window
• Nominator should have chemical sciences background

For Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar:

• Outstanding independent research carried out with undergraduates
• Genuine undergraduate co-creation, not just supervision
• Cannot have active participation in PhD programs elsewhere

Strategic guidance from the Foundation:

• Contact [email protected] before submitting, especially first-time nominators
• Internal coordination crucial as only one nomination per institution allowed
• Recent awards span broad chemical subdisciplines
• Research quality matters more than institutional prestige

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Nomination-based only - Faculty cannot apply directly
• One nomination per institution per year - Internal competition management essential
• External letters are critical - Choose referees who know candidate's independent work
• Research impact is primary - Lead with research accomplishments
• Resubmission encouraged - Foundation offers consultation calls for reapplicants
• Contact Foundation early - Staff available to advise on best practices
• No overhead allowed - 100% of grant reaches research purposes

References

1. Dreyfus Foundation Official Website: https://www.dreyfus.org/ (accessed February 2026)
2. Program-specific pages at dreyfus.org for all award programs
3. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (EIN 135570117): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/135570117
4. 2024 and 2025 Award Recipient Announcements via dreyfus.org news section
5. Foundation leadership and program updates from dreyfus.org/about-us/