What scientific discoveries will unlock a flood of subsequent breakthroughs? The Foundation seeks out research and development projects that look to answer essential questions about the world around us.
What foundational knowledge do we need to solve the world’s biggest problems? What scientific discoveries will unlock a flood of subsequent breakthroughs? The Foundation seeks out research and development projects that look to answer essential questions about the world around us—projects that are the difference between status quo and real change. We support the advancement of science and technology in ways that are new, experimental, and have the power to set off ripple effects. We look for projects that promote learning, conservation, understanding and growth. Our projects in this area include support for important global issues.
The latest Allen Distinguished Investigators are all in the field of neuronal maturation, a foundational field in neuroscience.
Paul G. Allen was a catalyst for the global response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. He is the largest private donor, committing at least $100 million to support innovative and impactful solutions to the crisis.
Supporting scientific discoveries has always been a priority, and this project is a great complement to the fundamental neuroscience work happening at our affiliate organization, the Allen Institute for Brain Science.
The Foundation supports an NGO called Elephants Without Borders (EWB) as it works to conserve the rich biodiversity of Botswana and preserve its landscapes.
The Allen Distinguished Investigator program supports high-risk, high-reward ideas in science. Our Investigators are pursuing early-stage, cutting-edge research that have the potential to move their fields forward.
Learn more about the winning concept of the Paul G. Allen Ocean Challenge, a public contest recognizing promising ideas to help mitigate ocean acidification and improve ocean health.
In 2013, we added a new area of support: ocean health. Still in the early stages, we are developing an ocean-focused program to explore ways to preserve and enhance one of earth’s most important resources, and the vast amounts of plant and animal life that call it home.
We are backing a first-of-its-kind research initiative, led by researchers at the University of Washington and the Allen Institute for Brain Science, to investigate unknowns of traumatic brain injuries.
One of the Allen Family’s most beloved places in the world is Africa, and over the past five years The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation has made nearly $8 million in grants to African charities and projects. We focus primarily on wildlife conservation and the preservation of vital landscapes essential to both humans and wildlife alike—regions in danger of tipping the fragile balance between human life and the essential animal ecosystem.
In 2013, the Foundation made a $1 million grant to the Jane Goodall Institute for Great Ape conservation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The grant will help researchers complete a survey of a rare gorilla subspecies that may be on the verge of extinction, fund gorilla sanctuaries, boost anti-poaching patrols and help equip rangers with new technology for logging gorilla sightings and illegal mines.
This powerful new platform developed by Sea Around Us could help to end “fish stories” and provide clearer data on the impact of overfishing on ocean health.
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The Puget Sound Restoration Fund received a $1.5 million grant to support research on seaweed cultivation as a potential strategy for mitigating ocean acidification.