G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation Grant: Full Details

You might not realize the G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation Grant deliberately targets high-risk, basic science projects that federal agencies often overlook, focusing on fields like immunology, microbiome, and neuroscience. If you’re at a U.S. 501(c)(3) institution and lead your own lab, you’re eligible, but your path to funding hinges on a competitive institutional nomination and a process that demands precision with each deadline. Steering through these steps—from initial registration to the full proposal—requires both strategic planning and a sharp understanding of what makes a project stand out in a pool of limited submissions.

Key Takeaways

• The G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation Grant supports basic scientific research in life sciences with budgets of $600,000 to $700,000 over three years and 10% indirect costs.
• Eligible applicants are independent investigators with fully equipped labs at U.S.-based, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) institutions, with a limit of three institutional nominations per cycle.
• Grant focus areas include immunology, microbiome, structural biology, cancer, genetics, stem cells, and neuroscience; proposals must demonstrate innovation, scientific merit, and translational potential.
• The nomination and internal pre-application deadlines are at least two weeks before the Letter of Intent (LOI) deadline, with important dates in 2025 being September 19 for nominations and October 3 for LOI submission.
• The Foundation prioritizes high-risk, high-reward projects not funded federally, encouraging proposals with established proof of concept and clear translational impact, excluding areas like Covid-19, plant biology, and clinical trials.

Eligibility Criteria and Institutional Requirements

How does your institution determine if it’s eligible to apply for a G. Harold & Leila Y. Mathers Foundation grant?

First, you must confirm that your organization is a U.S.-based, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) institution, such as an independent medical research university or scientific institution.

Eligibility requirements also specify that nominees will be independent investigators with fully equipped labs.

Your institution plays a critical role by managing an internal competition to select up to three Letters of Intent per cycle, ensuring compliance with Foundation guidelines, communicating deadlines clearly, and supporting candidates throughout the application process.

Timely, ethical institutional oversight is essential.

Registration and Portal Access for Applicants

Before you can begin the grant application process, you’ll need to register in the Mathers Foundation portal, ensuring your registration is completed by the grant cycle deadline if you’re new to the system. Returning applicants should verify their account details are current. Use Google Chrome or Safari for ideal portal navigation. All submissions require signing in with a valid Net-ID and a @stonybrook.edu email.

Institutional nominations must be submitted at least two weeks before the LOI due date.

Nomination Process and Institutional Responsibilities

You’ll need to manage a limited internal competition to select up to three nominees for your institution, ensuring that each candidate meets your own eligibility criteria.

Make sure your nomination submissions reach the foundation at least two weeks before the Letter of Intent due date to avoid disqualification.

Clear and timely communication is critical because late or incomplete nominations may prevent your institution’s applicants from being considered.

Institutional Nominee Selection

Because the G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation Grant limits each institution to three Letters of Intent per cycle, your internal competition strategies must prioritize fairness and rigor.

To guarantee merit-based nominee evaluation criteria, follow this numeric approach:

1. Design a transparent internal process with clear eligibility rules and deadlines communicated proactively to potential nominees.
2. Evaluate candidates thoroughly against established scientific merit and potential translational impact aligned with the Foundation’s priorities.
3. Provide ongoing support during application preparation while strictly adhering to institutional deadlines, as late submissions risk disqualification.

This approach safeguards your institution’s nominations and aligns with Foundation requirements.

Compliance and Communication

When managing the nomination process for the G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation Grant, your institution must guarantee strict compliance strategies.

Confirm nominees are from eligible U.S.-based, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations. Submit nominations at least two weeks before the LOI deadline.

Use clear communication channels to inform applicants of deadlines and requirements. Each institution is limited to three LOI applications per cycle, so manage selections carefully.

Support nominees throughout the process. Effective compliance and communication are essential for a successful, ethical nomination process.

Nomination Deadline Adherence

Before the Letter of Intent (LOI) deadline, you must submit institutional nominations at least two weeks in advance to confirm your candidates’ eligibility and timely processing.

Effective nomination strategies require you to:

1. Establish and communicate clear internal eligibility criteria and timeline for the nomination process within your institution.
2. Conduct a limited internal competition to select nominees, respecting the foundation’s limit on nominations per cycle.
3. Adhere strictly to the nomination deadline, understanding its importance to avoid disqualification due to late submissions.

Fulfilling these responsibilities guarantees compliance with guidelines and smooth communication throughout the process, reflecting strategic and ethical stewardship.

Letter of Intent (LOI) Application Guidelines

You need to confirm your eligibility and meet specific submission requirements before applying for the Mathers Foundation Letter of Intent (LOI).

Each LOI must include seven key fields, be no longer than four pages, and clearly present your project title and summary.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Your institution can submit up to three Letters of Intent (LOIs) per grant cycle, each requiring an internal nomination.
2. Nominations must be submitted at least two weeks before the LOI deadline.
3. The LOI must include a clear project title, summary, and seven specific information fields.

Establish compliance with all guidelines to guarantee eligibility.

Submission Requirements

Institutions that meet the eligibility criteria must carefully prepare their Letters of Intent (LOIs) following specific submission guidelines to guarantee consideration. The submission process requires strict adherence to deadlines and portal instructions. Budget considerations are critical: your total project cost must not exceed $700,000, including a 10% indirect cost cap. Each LOI must be concise, clear, and complete.

Formal Proposal Submission and Requirements

Although the formal proposal submission to the G. Harold & Leila Y. Mathers Foundation is by invitation only, your submission strategy must be precise and thorough.

You’ll need to:

1. Prepare a narrative not exceeding 7 pages, tailored for a scientific audience, expanding on key project aspects like aims and proof of concept.
2. Include a detailed budget capped at $700,000 over three years, with indirect costs limited to 10%.
3. Make sure your institution conducts an internal competition, submitting nominations at least two weeks before the Letter of Intent deadline.

No pre-submission advice or LOI screening is provided, so innovative, well-founded proposals are essential.

Grant Funding Details and Award Conditions

Grant funding from the G. Harold & Leila Y. Mathers Foundation supports basic scientific research with budgets of $600,000 to $700,000 over three years, including a 10% cap on indirect costs.

You must manage your budget carefully, as grant utilization excludes capital equipment purchases, focusing solely on the research investigation. Funds must be fully used within the grant period, though no-cost extensions are allowed if needed.

Completion of the project by term’s end is expected, with explanations required if aims aren’t met. Renewal proposals need to demonstrate new directions or translational potential to be prioritized.

Innovative, proof-of-concept projects usually outside federal funding scope are encouraged.

Research Focus Areas and Funding Priorities

When you pursue funding from the G. Harold & Leila Y. Mathers Foundation, focus on innovative approaches in life sciences with clear translational applications.

The Foundation prioritizes:

1. Basic research in immunology, microbiome, structural biology, cancer, genetics, stem cells, and neuroscience.
2. High-risk, high-reward projects that may not qualify for federal support.
3. Proposals demonstrating established proof of concept and potential for significant human health impact.

Avoid Covid-19, plant biology, oceanography, and clinical trials.

Your project should stand out for its creativity and potential to drive transformative scientific advancements.

Grant Timeline and Important Deadlines

To guarantee your application stays on track, mark these key dates for the Mathers Foundation Grant cycle: your institution must submit nominations by September 19, 2025, and you’ll need to send your Letter of Intent by October 3, 2025.

Secure your spot early—pre-applications are due September 2, 2025, at 9:00 am, submitted as a single PDF.

If invited, prepare your full proposal for the sponsor deadline of December 12, 2025.

With grant funding up to $700,000 over three years, focus your proposal strategies on clarity and impact, aligning each step with these deadlines to maximize your chances in this competitive, limited-submission opportunity.

Supporting Effective Applications and Selection Criteria

Because the Mathers Foundation funds only a small fraction of applications, you need to craft your proposal with clear innovation, strong scientific merit, and alignment with their mission to support basic life sciences research with translational potential.

Focus your application strategies on:

1. Demonstrating innovative approaches and established proof of concept, avoiding excluded areas like drug discovery or clinical trials.
2. Ensuring your project fits funding alignment by targeting supported research areas such as immunology, genomics, or neuroscience.
3. Submitting a clear, concise LOI with a compelling title and summary, adhering strictly to deadlines and institutional nomination limits to increase competitiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Apply if My Lab Is Not Fully Equipped Yet?

You cannot apply unless your lab is fully equipped, as lab readiness is a key eligibility requirement set by the Mathers Foundation. Their funding requirements specify that applicants must have their own fully equipped labs to qualify.

Are Postdoctoral Researchers Eligible to Be Principal Investigators?

Postdoctoral researchers generally are not eligible to be principal investigators based on principal investigator qualifications, unless specific exceptions apply. Postdoctoral eligibility as PI often requires faculty-level appointments, written approvals, or faculty mentorship to serve as PI.

Is There a Limit on the Number of Grants per Investigator?

You can submit only one grant application per investigator per cycle under the funding eligibility criteria. Institutions may nominate up to three investigators per cycle, enforcing strict grant application limits to guarantee fairness and focus.

Can I Resubmit a Previously Declined Proposal?

You can resubmit a previously declined proposal only if you propose a new research direction or emphasize new translational aspects, as resubmission strategies discourage simply reapplying unchanged projects. Use any funding feedback to guide this ethical and strategic revision.

Are Indirect Costs Included in the Total Award Amount?

Indirect costs are included in the total award amount for the G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation grants and may not exceed 10% of the total grant funding. The total project budget caps this combined amount at $600,000 to $700,000 over three years.

Conclusion

You can request between $600,000 and $750,000 over three years for high-risk, innovative basic science projects with translational potential in areas like immunology and neuroscience. Your institution can nominate up to three applicants per cycle, making internal competition essential. Meeting strict deadlines—like the Letter of Intent due by August 8, 2025—is vital to move forward. Remember, only U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations with established investigators are eligible, emphasizing careful institutional coordination.