OVERVIEW: This Houston-based funder prioritizes two things — chemistry and Texas. The foundation funds individual research grants, departmental grants, endowed chairs, two research awards, scholarships, and an annual conference. Welch also prioritizes giving support and inspiration to young people to become involved in the sciences.
IP TAKE: This foundation is accessible for scientists based in Texas. It accepts applications and nominations for research grants, awards, and endowed chairs from grantseekers researching chemistry at postsecondary schools in Texas. However, if you work for an institution outside of Texas, you will only find luck if you are affiliated with a university in Texas. Welch’s giving is geographically limited. It is also not as approachable as other science research funders.
PROFILE: Founded from the estate of Robert A. Welch following his death in 1952, this private funder supports basic chemical research at institutions of higher learning in Texas. Since 1954, the Welch Foundation carries on the legacy of Robert Welch, an oil and mineral tycoon who in later life came to be a big believer that chemistry would make the world a better place. Welch funds research grants, departmental grants, endowed chairs, and two awards. There are also student scholarships and an annual chemistry conference.
Grants for Science Research
The Welch Foundation offers several opportunities for private funding focused primarily on chemical research.
Research grants provide a minimum of $100,000 a year and support fundamental chemistry research by tenured or tenure-track faculty members that serve as principal investigator. Research grants can be used for fellowships, scholarships, equipment, upkeep, travel, and more. Proposals are due annually by the end of January.
Departmental grants are by invitation only, but they tend to support chemistry departments and faculty at small and mid-size schools. Their primary purpose is to stimulate interest in science careers among students by providing them “scholarships, lab equipment and chemicals as well as travel to industry meetings and conferences.”
Welch also offers undergraduate scholarships of up to $14,000 per year for up to four years to chemistry, bioengineering, and chemical engineering students in collaboration with the Texas Interscholastic League Foundation (TILF). Welch also offers a five-week summer program for high school juniors and seniors, who “participate in real-life research projects under the supervision of experienced research chemists.”
Endowed chairs make up some of the largest grants from the Welch Foundation, supporting entire faculty positions at chemistry Ph.D. programs. Institutions are usually expected to provide one-to-one matching funds. Applications are accepted for this program year-round.
The Welch Award in Chemistry works to foster chemical research. The Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research supports research early in their careers.
The Welch Foundation has also committed $100 million to the Welch Institute at Rice University, the largest in the foundation’s history. The Welch Institute is focused on advanced materials research.
While Welch does not fund outside of Texas, it's quite inviting for institutions within the state. More information about recent grants and funding is available in the foundation’s annual report.
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