Alfred P. Sloan Foundation: Grants – Major Program Areas

Scope: The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation makes grants on six broad subject matters, known within the Foundation as major program areas. (1) BASIC RESEARCH - the Foundation expands that understanding by funding original, high-quality research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. (2) STEM HIGHER EDUCATION - Grants in the STEM Higher Education program area promote access to the scientific enterprise, provide information about scientific and technical careers, and encourage innovation to the structure of scientific training. (3) PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, & ECONOMICS - This program seeks to bridge the two cultures--the humanities and the sciences--through support of books, radio, film, television, theatre, and new media to reach a wide, non-specialized audience. (4) ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE - Grants in the Economic Performance and Quality of Life program have expanded our knowlege of how particular industries function, encouraged better communication and cooperation between citizens and their local governments, and focused scholarly and public attention on the issues and challenges faced by contemporary working families. (5) SELECT NATIONAL ISSUES - Grants in the Select National Issues program are funding work to increase America's biosecurity and investigate how recent advances in information technology affect the spread of knowledge and the structure of scientific endeavor. (6) CIVIC INITIATIVES - With its Civic Initiatives program, the Foundation responds to unique opportunities to benefit the New York City metro area in ways that advance the Foundation's other interests in science, technology and economic performance.