Rita Allen Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- Rita Allen Foundation, based in Princeton, NJ, supports early-career biomedical researchers in cancer, immunology, neuroscience and pain, as well as civic science and philanthropic practice work, with a geographic focus on the United States and Canada.
- Most grants to organisations fall between $5,000 and $100,000, with about 8 in 10 of its 349 grants in that range and a median of $30,000, so a modest request is realistic, though the Scholars Program is stated at up to $110,000 and the Scholars Award in Pain at $150,000; the single largest grant, $300,000, went to Science Philanthropy Alliance, a regranting organisation it funds every year, so very large awards are exceptional.
- For the Scholars program, applications must come as a nomination submitted online through Fluxx by a senior official at an eligible nominating institution; the application method otherwise varies by programme.
- The foundation looks relationship-led: 77% of its grant dollars went to organisations it had also funded in the previous two filing years, so be aware much of its funding supports existing partners, even though this is a share of dollars rather than of grants.
- If applying to the Scholars Award in Pain, note that it does not cover university overhead (indirect costs).
Overview
Rita Allen Foundation is a US private foundation based in Princeton, NJ.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Rita Allen Foundation invests in transformative ideas at their earliest stages. It supports early-career biomedical scholars pursuing basic research in cancer, immunology, neuroscience and pain, and embraces innovative research with above-average risk and groundbreaking possibilities. Through Civic Science, it invests in collaborative efforts to advance inclusive engagement with science, communities and civic life, bringing together diverse participants to develop evidence-based, human-centred approaches. Its philanthropic lab and future exploration work strengthens philanthropic practice through exploratory grantmaking, learning and collaboration. Across its work, the Foundation favours strategic, collaborative approaches and values curiosity, leadership and courage.
Themes
- Cancer research
- Immunology research
- Neuroscience research
- Pain research
- Civic science
- Philanthropic practice
- Exploratory grantmaking
Geographic Focus
United States; Canada.
What They Don't Fund
- Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Award in Pain only: university overhead (i.e., indirect costs)
How to apply
For the Scholars program, a senior official at an eligible nominating institution submits an online nomination through Fluxx.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 77% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 349 grants to organisations were $30,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- The Scholars program values innovative research with above-average risk and groundbreaking possibilities.
- Candidates should be independent investigators in the early stages of their careers and research.
- It is preferable that candidates be in the first three years of their tenure track.
- Nominating institutions should submit their strongest nominee for consideration.
- Applications are reviewed by a committee that includes past Award in Pain recipients and leading pain researchers.
- Scholars must provide annual narrative and financial reports on grant expenditure and progress.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 16%
Outside the US or with no state on the filing: 10%
- The largest single recipient received 5% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 77% of grant dollars went to organisations Rita Allen Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- 1% of grant dollars went directly to organisations outside the US (Canada, Germany, South Africa).
- 11% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 101 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $50,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Multiplier · Civic science funders collaborative$200,0002024 tax year
- Brandeis University · Annual support$190,0002024 tax year
- Researchamerica · Stac task force to advance u.s. competitiveness in the 21st century$175,0002024 tax year
- Harvard University · Rita allen foundation scholars program$110,0002024 tax year
- University of California, San Francisco · Rita allen foundation scholars program$110,0002024 tax year
- The Johns Hopkins University · Rita allen foundation scholars program$110,0002024 tax year
- University of Michigan · Rita allen foundation scholars program$110,0002024 tax year
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey · Rita allen foundation scholars program$110,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- David Nirenberg PhD — Director
- Carl Nathan MD — Director
- The Honorable Thomas H Kean — Director
- Sivan Hong — Director
- Samuel S-H Wang PhD — Director
- Rodney Priestley PhD — Director
- Andrew K Golden — Director
- Elizabeth A Fisher — Secretary / Project Management (From Dec 2024)
- Kari A Williams — Finance, Treasurer
- Elizabeth G Christopherson — President & CEO
- William F Gadsden — Chairperson of the Board
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $11,248,065 | $7,330,612 | $175,627,317 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $10,562,214 | $6,760,118 | $189,867,123 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $10,103,795 | $5,515,657 | $203,250,624 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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Applying to Rita Allen Foundation?
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No credit card required