The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation Launches Grant Program for Transformative Research

New grants will support bold, high-risk research with potential for substantial impact

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Dreyfus Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of the Program for Transformative Research, a new initiative to support bold, high-risk research with the potential for transformative impact.

The Program is designed for accomplished, mid-career faculty who are ready to move beyond their existing work and pursue new and unconventional scientific directions. Transformative research may take many forms, from fundamental advances that open new frontiers in the chemical sciences to discoveries with the potential for substantial societal impact.

“The Dreyfus Foundation has a long history of supporting emerging areas of scientific research before more widespread funding is available,” said H. Scott Walter, President. “With the Program for Transformative Research, we aim to create an opportunity for mid-career scientists to explore ideas that could blossom into new fields of research or ultimately improve the human condition.”

The first phase of the Program will provide eight Transformative Research Development Grants of $600,000, disbursed in three annual installments of $200,000. In the final year of the Development Grants, the Foundation will evaluate the projects and select one for an additional Transformative Research Award of $1.5 million, based on the potential of the work.

The Foundation seeks bold and original ideas that depart from current scientific paradigms and represent a significant new direction for the investigator. Proposals will be evaluated for their potential for broad, transformative impact in the chemical sciences, as well as the investigator’s demonstrated scientific creativity and leadership. Projects from all areas of the chemical sciences will be considered, with preference given to compelling work in interdisciplinary or underfunded areas where significant support may not otherwise be available.

“Transformative discoveries often begin with ideas that are difficult to pursue through conventional funding because they challenge established approaches,” said Milan Mrksich of Northwestern University, Chair of the Foundation’s Scientific Affairs Committee. “We are excited to give creative leaders in the chemical sciences an opportunity to move beyond their established work and pursue ideas that could establish new fields of research.”

Applicants must be within 15 years following promotion to tenure and based at an academic institution in the United States or its territories that grants a bachelor’s or higher degree in the chemical sciences. The Foundation will accept only one proposal per institution per cycle.

Applications will include a five-page project essay describing the proposed research and the investigator’s track record, a discussion of the research landscape and how the proposed work differs from existing efforts, a three-year project plan, an institutional letter of support, and the investigator’s CV. No detailed budget or preliminary data are required.

The deadline for proposals is April 27, 2027. Additional details, including complete eligibility requirements and application instructions, are available on the Program for Transformative Research webpage at Dreyfus.org.

About the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation

The purpose of the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, Inc., is to advance the science of chemistry, chemical engineering, and related sciences as a means of improving human relations and circumstances throughout the world. Established in 1946 by chemist, inventor, and businessman Camille Dreyfus as a memorial to his brother Henry, the Foundation became a memorial to both men when Camille Dreyfus died in 1956. Throughout its history the Foundation has sought to take the lead in identifying and addressing needs and opportunities in the chemical sciences through a series of programs and awards.

Learn more about the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation by visiting its website, signing up for its newsletter, or following it on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, or Bluesky.