Best Biology Grants in New York

The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation provides grants to early-stage social entrepreneurs working on scalable solutions to pressing social and environmental issues. By supporting organizations with innovative approaches and proven impact, they aim to uplift underserved communities globally. The foundation offers operational support, funding of up to $300,000 over three years, and fosters a collaborative community among its portfolio organizations. They focus on candidates demonstrating measurable impact and sustainable growth potential.

New York organizations and social enterprises improving education, children’s health, or family economic stability for urban low-income youth can access funding through the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation; awards are typically more than US $50,000 for project support or scaling. Eligible applicants must request at least $50,000 and align with the foundation’s mission and values.

The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust Grant supports charitable, scientific, medical, and educational organizations that are 501(c)(3) certified. This private funder emphasizes impactful service to diverse populations without discrimination. Grants must be utilized within the United States and cannot be awarded to individuals, political candidates, or lobbying efforts. The Trust is dedicated to enhancing the general welfare through soundly-managed initiatives that contribute significantly to community needs.

Doctorate-level anthropologists and closely related scholars in New York can receive up to US $25,000 for individual post-Ph.D. research projects advancing understanding of human biological and cultural origins, development, and variation. The Wenner-Gren Foundation supports innovative anthropology research worldwide, welcoming projects that integrate multiple subfields and pioneer new approaches and ideas.

The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation offers grants to support diverse initiatives, including museums, educational programs, and environmental activities. Aiming to make a significant impact with modest funding, the Foundation targets IRS-qualified non-profits in the U.S. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $20,000, fostering community development and enhancement. Organizations focused on youth, seniors, and individuals with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply, as the Foundation seeks to empower those in need.

Utilizing the Full Power of Empire AI Request for Applications

The Simons Foundation (SF) intends to support cutting-edge mathematics and basic science research, drawing on the advanced computational power of the Empire AI.

Toward this goal, SF plans to initiate a new program to fund six to 12 proposals through a competitive open call to the Empire AI research community.

A successful proposal will outline an ambitious two-year research program in one of the following fields, or at their intersections: computational astrophysics and physics, computational biology, mathematics, neuroscience and computational physical chemistry. Each proposal will necessarily rely on the development and utilization of foundational machine learning models, aimed at solving problems of fundamental importance in the above-listed disciplines.

Computational biophysics, neuroscience, ecology and evolution, plant biology, optimal transport, multiscale physics, fluid dynamics and numerical general relativity are representative examples of fields that could use multinode clusters of GPUs of Empire AI, which is a requirement of the program. All submitted proposals should detail how their work will use multinode clusters of GPUs in Empire AI. Proposals focused on data curation and creation of datasets can be considered in exceptional cases, as long as the attained data will be used by the proposers for solving scientific problems as part of the same proposal.

The program’s total budget is expected to be $6 million USD over a two-year period.

Funding

Award Amount: There is no maximum budget total for an individual award. The total amount requested should reflect the proposed research. All award amounts are inclusive of indirect costs (see our grant policies). Please note that we anticipate funding six to 12 applications. The total program’s budget of $6 million USD over two years will be spread across all awards.

Award Duration: June 1, 2027, through May 31, 2029.

Number of Awards: We expect to select six to 12 applications for funding.

New York biology and conservation organizations planning habitat restoration projects in the Hudson-Raritan Estuary region can access funding through the Hudson River Foundation for one- to two-year efforts. Grants of US $50,000 - US $100,000 support wildlife habitat restoration at sites in the Comprehensive Restoration Plan or similar community-supported plans that also benefit local communities.

Prospective Ph.D. students in biology and related fields in New York can apply for American Museum of Natural History graduate fellowships supporting joint university–museum training and research. Eligible applicants must be first-time Ph.D. candidates applying both to a partnered university program and to the AMNH Graduate Student Fellowships Program.

The MIND Prize provides New York biology and neuroscience researchers with major support for innovative neurodegenerative disease projects. Administered by the Pershing Square Foundation, this U.S. program funds early- to mid-career investigators advancing tools, technologies, and bold approaches to understand and treat conditions like Alzheimer’s, dementia, and related neurological disorders; total awards are US $750,000.

Ameriprise Community Grants focus on supporting nonprofits that enhance community vitality and meet basic needs. With over 120 years of commitment to philanthropy, Ameriprise Financial engages employees in volunteerism and grantmaking. Key giving areas include hunger relief, housing stability, and community development. Priority is given to organizations with active volunteer engagement from Ameriprise advisors and employees, creating a meaningful impact on financial independence and community resilience.

Nonprofits, public entities, and tribal nations in the Buffalo-Niagara region can seek funding for ecological enhancement projects within the Niagara Greenway, including land conservation, habitat research, and restoration. NY Power Authority’s Greenway Ecological Fund supports multi-year projects that improve aquatic and terrestrial habitats, ecosystem services, and environmental stewardship and education in New York.

Biology and conservation researchers conducting projects in New York’s Black Rock Forest can apply for the David Redden Conservation Science Fund, with awards up to US $10,000 for conservation-focused science. Focused on research with practical conservation applications, Black Rock Forest Consortium invites projects completed at least in part within its Hudson Highlands forest.

The Dr. Scholl Foundation offers grants annually to IRS 501(c)(3) organizations, primarily focusing on U.S. applicants. The foundation supports projects in education, social services, healthcare, civic and cultural initiatives, and environmental efforts. While the grant cycle runs from October 1 to March 1, it encourages innovative solutions to global challenges. Only one application per organization is accepted each year, and funding is limited to one year. Unqualified organizations, including political entities, are ineligible.

Undergraduates studying biology-related fields in New York can receive up to US $2,500 to pursue summer research on the history of the life sciences through this hybrid internship. The American Philosophical Society and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory provide archival access, mentorship, travel support, and housing while interns work on topics like genetics, molecular biology, or cancer research.

Veterinarians in North America focused on avian diagnostics or technical service to the poultry industry can receive $1,000 for documented contributions over the past decade. Grants from American Association of Avian Pathologists help New York biology professionals working in poultry health recognize outstanding service and impact through the Lasher-Bottorff Award.

New York biology and space-science researchers studying human adaptation beyond Earth can access funding through the Explorers Club and Vast x Explorers Club Grant. Awards of US $20,000 - US $25,000 support field or lab projects on space environments, human health, habitability, and related systems; applicants must be at least 18 and leading an active project.

New York graduate students of Polish descent pursuing full-time biology or related science degrees can access funding through the Kosciuszko Foundation for tuition at U.S. universities or English medical schools in Poland, with awards from US $1,000 - US $12,000. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Undergraduate natural science majors of Polish descent studying full time in the U.S., including New York, can compete for a US $5,000 Drs. James and Wanda Trefil Science Scholarship supporting tuition. Grants from Kosciuszko Foundation help biology, chemistry, physics, and related majors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a 3.5 GPA or higher.

With a mission to support higher education in forestry, the Society of American Foresters provides New York biology and forestry faculty with a national professional development award. Active SAF-member faculty in SAF-accredited degree programs with at least ten years’ experience can be nominated, receiving more than US $500 plus convention registration and travel support.

The UNICO Foundation offers the Louise Torraco Memorial Scholarship for Science, providing two scholarships worth $2,500 each to U.S. citizens pursuing degrees in physical or life sciences. Eligible candidates must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be enrolled full-time in accredited programs. This initiative reflects UNICO's commitment to supporting educational pursuits in scientific fields while fostering Italian American heritage and community service.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits improving community quality of life through economic stability, workforce development, health and social services, or disaster relief may be eligible for funding, including those serving New York communities. With a mission to strengthen underserved individuals and families, O'Reilly Automotive Foundation provides project, general operating, and capital support grants where O’Reilly Auto Parts has a business presence.

Early-career assistant professors running independent biomedical or biology-focused labs at nominated New York institutions can receive US $75,000 - US $300,000 to support innovative research advancing human health. Pew Charitable Trusts funds flexible basic, translational, or applied biomedical projects, with awards made to participating universities and research centers through an internal nomination process.

Young science journalists producing non-technical biology or other science reporting, including those in New York, can apply for the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing’s Evert Clark/Seth Payne Award; awards US $1,000 plus conference travel for outstanding work. Applicants must be 30 or younger, with English-language pieces published July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025.

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award honors exemplary nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that foster collaborative partnerships across sectors. Annually, a national competition showcases numerous organizations demonstrating impactful community partnerships. Six organizations receive recognition, including the Thomas J. Moran Award, which offers $100,000, and the Frances R. Hesselbein Award, granting $75,000. Since 1996, the award has acknowledged 262 partnerships, emphasizing Mutual of America's commitment to societal improvement through collaboration.

About Us

The Simons Foundation’s mission is to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences.

Since its founding in 1994 by Jim and Marilyn Simons, the foundation has been a champion of basic science through grant funding, support for research and public engagement. We believe in asking big questions and providing sustained support to researchers working to unravel the mysteries of the universe.

Through our work we make space for scientific discovery.

Junior Fellows of the Simons Society of Fellows

The Simons Foundation invites nominations for Junior Fellows of the Simons Society of Fellows. This year’s call is open to any individual who meets the nominator eligibility requirements outlined below and is interested in nominating a candidate for a Junior Fellowship.

Junior Fellows are outstanding young scientists who receive support from the foundation for up to 3 years to conduct independent research at an NYC educational institution. The foundation requires Junior Fellows to attend weekly lectures and dinners at the foundation during the academic year, as well as an annual conference and a 4-day weekend retreat.

Funding

Award Amount: In 2027/28, a Junior Fellow will receive a stipend of $102,799, funds for fringe benefits based on the host institutional fringe rate, as well as a $10,000 research allowance. The Junior Fellow’s New York City host institution will receive an additional 20 percent in indirect costs. A Junior Fellow’s salary support automatically increases by three percent each funding year.

Award Duration: Junior Fellows are appointed for up to three years. A fellowship must begin on July 1, August 1 or September 1, 2027.

Number of Awards: In 2027, the foundation expects to appoint up to 15 Junior Fellows.

Allowable Expenses

The research funds provided to the Junior Fellow may be used to support expenses in the following categories:

• Scientific domestic or international travel by the Junior Fellow.
• Small equipment, supplies and other expenses directly benefiting the Junior Fellow’s research.
• Expenses related to travel or hosting scientific visitors and collaborators.

Private and tribal landowners in New York seeking to restore degraded wetlands can access easement funding to protect and enhance land and habitat. Natural Resources Conservation Service offers permanent, term, and 30-year wetland reserve easements, covering most easement and restoration costs, with priority for projects benefiting migratory birds and other wildlife.

Researchers with internationally recognized basic science that advances parasitology, including work relevant to biology in New York and beyond, can be nominated for this lectureship. The American Society of Parasitologists covers up to US $1,000 in travel and accommodations, plus an honorarium and plaque, for a one-hour lecture at its annual meeting.