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The Eric And Wendy Schmidt Fund For Strategic Innovation

Annual Giving
$195.3M
Grant Range
$2K - $15.8M

The Eric And Wendy Schmidt Fund For Strategic Innovation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $195,250,221 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $1.4 billion (2023)
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $15,800,000
  • Number of Grants: 233 (2023), 177 (2024)
  • Median Grant: $364,000 (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: International (focus on U.S., with some global programs)
  • Application Method: Invitation only / No public application process

Contact Details

EIN: 46-3460261
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Website: Associated with Schmidt Futures

Note: The fund does not accept unsolicited grant applications. It operates as a corporate foundation of Schmidt Futures.

Overview

The Eric And Wendy Schmidt Fund For Strategic Innovation is a private grantmaking foundation established in September 2014 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt. With assets totaling approximately $1.4 billion, the fund serves as a corporate foundation of Schmidt Futures and focuses on strategic technology investments, talent development, and initiatives to strengthen long-term competitiveness in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. The foundation disbursed $254.7 million in charitable grants during fiscal year 2023, representing a significant commitment to scientific research, AI development, and cultivating the next generation of leaders in technology and geopolitics. Leadership consists of Eric Schmidt (President and Director) and Wendy Schmidt (Director).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The fund supports several major strategic initiatives rather than traditional open grant programs:

1. Schmidt Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) - $15,123,932 (2023)
A project to conduct analysis and make recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, with implications for national security, economy, and society.

2. RISE Program - $14,323,256 (2023)
A talent program designed to increase opportunity for exceptional young people worldwide (ages 15-17) to serve others throughout their lives. Fellows receive lifelong benefits including funding opportunities, seed money for social enterprises, grants for non-profits, and scholarship funds for graduate degrees. Applications are submitted via the Hello World – Rise mobile app.

3. International Strategy Forum (ISF) - Funding amount varies
A year-long, non-residential fellowship program for rising global leaders aged 25-35 with extraordinary potential in geopolitics, innovation, and public leadership. Co-chaired by CNN host Fareed Zakaria. Fellows attend three convenings annually and have access to mentorship. Applications are accessed through ISF Advisors, alumni, and partner organizations.

4. Schmidt Science Fellows - Funding amount varies
A postdoctoral fellowship program for PhD graduates in natural sciences, engineering, mathematics, or computing who wish to pursue interdisciplinary postdoctoral study. Candidates must be nominated by their PhD-awarding institution.

5. Strategic Technology Grants - Varies widely ($2,000 - $15,800,000)
Supports focused research organizations, AI research, machine learning for biological research, and other technology initiatives.

Priority Areas

Based on recent grant distributions, the fund prioritizes:

  • Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies: Open source AI research, machine learning applications, quantum computing
  • Scientific Research: Convergent research organizations, biological research acceleration, physics and technology research (e.g., CERN's NextGen Triggers Project)
  • Talent Development: Programs identifying and supporting exceptional young people and emerging leaders
  • Strategic Competitiveness: Initiatives strengthening America's position in technology, national security, and innovation
  • Geopolitical Leadership: Supporting next-generation problem solvers in geopolitics and public policy

Recent Major Grant Recipients (2023)

  • Convergent Research Inc: $15.8M (focused research organizations)
  • Schmidt Special Competitive Studies Project: $15.1M (AI competitiveness)
  • RISE Program: $14.3M (youth talent development)
  • Kyutai: $11.0M (open source AI research endowment)
  • Future House Inc: $9.2M (machine learning for biological research)
  • CERN: $9.2M (NextGen Triggers project)

What They Don't Fund

The fund does not accept unsolicited proposals and operates through pre-selected charitable organizations and specific program initiatives.

Governance and Leadership

Eric Schmidt - President and Director
Former CEO of Google, Eric Schmidt leads the strategic vision for the fund. He founded the Special Competitive Studies Project in October 2021 and has stated the mission is to "make recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness as artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies are reshaping our national security, economy, and society."

Wendy Schmidt - Director
Co-founder of the Schmidt Family Foundation (2006), Wendy Schmidt brings extensive philanthropic experience focused on environmental sustainability, renewable energy, ocean health, and human rights protection.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Eric And Wendy Schmidt Fund For Strategic Innovation only makes contributions to pre-selected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Instead, the fund operates through:

  1. Specific Fellowship Programs: Applications are accepted through structured programs like RISE (mobile app), International Strategy Forum (through advisors and partner organizations), and Schmidt Science Fellows (institutional nominations only)

  2. Strategic Partnerships: The fund proactively identifies and approaches organizations aligned with its mission

  3. Corporate Foundation Structure: As a corporate foundation of Schmidt Futures, grants flow through strategic decision-making rather than open applications

Fellowship Application Timelines

RISE Program:

  • Applications submitted via Hello World – Rise mobile app
  • Rolling basis for young people ages 15-17
  • Video and project-based assessment process

International Strategy Forum (ISF):

  • Application deadline: August 31, 2025 (for 2026 cohort)
  • Interviews: Fall 2025
  • Applications accessed through ISF Advisors, alumni, and partner organizations
  • Contact: isfteam@scsp.ai

Schmidt Science Fellows:

  • Institutional nomination required
  • Preliminary information submission followed by full application (July 14, 2025 for 2026 cohort)
  • Academic review by discipline-specific panels
  • Final selections made in Spring 2026
  • Eligibility: PhD completion between May 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed for strategic grants. Fellowship programs have structured timelines spanning several months from application to final selection.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The fund made 233 grants in 2023 and 177 grants in 2024, but does not disclose application volumes or acceptance rates.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable for strategic grants (invitation-only model). Fellowship programs accept annual applications based on eligibility criteria.

Application Success Factors

Since this fund does not accept unsolicited applications for strategic grants, success in receiving funding depends on:

For Strategic Organizational Grants:

  1. Alignment with Core Mission: Organizations working on AI, emerging technologies, scientific research, or strategic competitiveness have received the largest grants
  2. Scale and Impact Potential: Recent grants range from $2,000 to $15.8M, with the largest going to organizations positioned to make significant impact (e.g., Convergent Research Inc at $15.8M)
  3. Innovation Focus: The fund prioritizes cutting-edge research and transformative technology initiatives (e.g., Kyutai's open source AI research, Future House's machine learning for biological research)
  4. Strategic Importance: Projects that strengthen U.S. competitiveness or address national security implications receive substantial support

For Fellowship Applicants:

  1. RISE Program: Demonstrate potential for lifelong service to others through video presentations and projects showcasing innovation and impact
  2. International Strategy Forum: Show extraordinary potential in geopolitics, innovation, and public leadership (ages 25-35)
  3. Schmidt Science Fellows: Commitment to interdisciplinary postdoctoral research moving beyond PhD field of study

Key Insight from Leadership: Eric Schmidt's public statements emphasize the importance of AI and emerging technologies in reshaping "national security, economy, and society" - projects that address these intersections are central to the fund's strategy.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This fund operates on an invitation-only basis for strategic grants. Do not attempt to submit unsolicited proposals
  • Fellowship Opportunities Exist: If your organization works with young talent (15-17) or emerging leaders (25-35), consider RISE or ISF programs as pathways to the Schmidt ecosystem
  • Scale Matters: The fund makes grants ranging from $2,000 to $15.8M, with median grant of $364K, suggesting they fund both small targeted projects and transformational initiatives
  • Technology Focus: AI, machine learning, emerging technologies, and scientific research are clear priorities - 70%+ of major grants support these areas
  • Strategic Partnerships: The fund proactively identifies organizations rather than responding to applications - building visibility in AI/technology sectors may increase chances of being approached
  • Multiple Schmidt Entities: Be aware that Schmidt Family Foundation (environmental focus, also invitation-only) and Schmidt Futures are related but separate entities with different missions
  • Long-term Thinking: The fund focuses on "strategic innovation" and "long-term competitiveness," indicating interest in projects with sustained impact rather than short-term fixes

References

  1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Eric And Wendy Schmidt Fund For Strategic Innovation - IRS Form 990 data (Accessed December 2025)

  2. Grantmakers.io Profile - The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation - Foundation profile and grant statistics (Accessed December 2025)

  3. Cause IQ - The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation - Financial and organizational data (Accessed December 2025)

  4. Inside Philanthropy - Schmidt Family Foundation - Unsolicited application policy (Accessed December 2025)

  5. Wikipedia - Special Competitive Studies Project - SCSP mission and structure (Accessed December 2025)

  6. RISE Program Website - Application process and eligibility (Accessed December 2025)

  7. International Strategy Forum Website - Fellowship details and application information (Accessed December 2025)

  8. Schmidt Science Fellows Website - Fellowship eligibility and selection process (Accessed December 2025)

  9. The Schmidt Family Foundation - About - Foundation approach and contact information (Accessed December 2025)

  10. OpenGrants - Schmidt Futures Deep Dive - Grant recipients and funding areas (Accessed December 2025)

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