Charles E. Kaufman Foundation
Kristen Whalen, Ph.D., assistant professor of Biology at Haverford College (pictured in middle) works with undergraduate researchers in a lab. Whalen was a 2021 Kaufman Integrated Research-Education awardee for her work titled, "Elucidating the protective role of bacterial signals in algal host-virus dynamics." (Photo credit: Caleb Eckert.
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All it takes is a spark. The mission of the Kaufman Foundation is to support fundamental research in biology, chemistry and physics at Pennsylvania institutions of higher education. The Foundation distributes grants in two areas: New Investigator Research and New Initiative Research.

Kaufman believed in the potential impact of fundamental, curiosity-driven science and the strength of working across interdisciplinary boundaries. He also recognized the importance of supporting early and mid-career scientists, while acknowledging the major accomplishments achieved after a lifetime of high-impact contributions. We invite you to learn more about how we can help you bring your breakthrough ideas to life.

Guidelines

New Investigator Research

Grants supporting innovative, new investigators in Pennsylvania

New Initiative Research

Grants supporting existing investigators in Pennsylvania

 

 

Recent News

NEWS RELEASE |Nov. 4, 2025

Kaufman Foundation awards $2 million for fundamental scientific research at Pennsylvania institutions

Funding will support seasoned and early-career scientists while also engaging undergraduate students in research.
 

NEWS RELEASE |Nov. 14, 2024

Kaufman Foundation awards $2 million for fundamental scientific research at Pennsylvania institutions

Funding will support seasoned and early-career scientists while also engaging undergraduate students in research.
 

NEWS RELEASE |Feb. 29, 2024

$1.8 million for science research goes to Pa. universities 

Detecting Earth-like planets orbiting stars and learning how bacteria initiate or exit biofilm communities are two research projects receiving a 2023 grant from The Charles E. Kaufman Foundation. 

 

 

 

NEWS RELEASE |Jan. 17, 2023

$2 million awarded to scientific research based at Pa. universities  

Supported projects include an effort to model the impact of dark matter on the era when the first stars and galaxies formed, and an investigation into the role of genetic background on evolution. 


NEWS RELEASE |Dec. 15, 2021

$2.1 million awarded to scientific research based at Pa. universities  

Studies include understanding interbacterial competition that leads to bacterial colonization and trying to crack the code human embryos use to communicate.
 

in the headlines |

Allegheny College professor and students to explore whether alternative form of life can be created

Allegheny College has received a two-year, $100,000 grant to help train Allegheny students in laboratory research that will explore whether a minimal form of life can be created beyond the confines of DNA, the central building block for all life on Earth.

 

 

 
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