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Simons Foundation
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<h2 id="the-flatiron-institute">The Flatiron Institute</h2> <p>In 2016, the foundation launched the <a href="/facts/Flatiron_Institute/uAUdsTGG">Flatiron Institute</a>, its in-house multidisciplinary research institute focused on <a href="/facts/Computational_science/PnVD19hw">computational science</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> The Flatiron Institute hosts centers for computational science in five areas: </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Flatiron_Institute/uAUdsTGG">Center for Computational Astrophysics (CCA)</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Flatiron_Institute/uAUdsTGG">Center for Computational Biology (CCB)</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Flatiron_Institute/uAUdsTGG">Center for Computational Quantum Physics (CCQ)</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Flatiron_Institute/uAUdsTGG">Center for Computational Mathematics (CCM)</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Flatiron_Institute/uAUdsTGG">Center for Computational Neuroscience (CCN)</a></li></ul> <h2 id="funding-areas">Funding areas</h2> <p>The foundation makes grants in four program areas:<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> </p> <ul><li>Mathematics and Physical Sciences (MPS)</li><li>Life Sciences</li><li>Autism Research / Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI)</li><li>Outreach, Education, and Engagement</li></ul> <h2 id="simons-investigators-awardees">Simons Investigators awardees</h2> <p>Among other programs, the Simons Foundation funds the Simons Investigators in MPS program<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> which provides a stable base of support for outstanding scientists, enabling them to undertake long-term study of fundamental questions.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="simons-collaborations">Simons Collaborations</h2> <p>In 2012 the foundation launched a new funding model, the Simons Collaborations, which brings funded investigators — sometimes from different disciplines — together to work on an important scientific problem. To date, 25 Simons Collaborations have been launched by the foundation's Mathematics and Physical Sciences and Life Sciences divisions and by its neuroscience initiatives.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="white-house-brain-initiative-alliance-membership">White House BRAIN Initiative Alliance membership</h2> <p>As of December 2018, the Simons Foundation is listed as a White House BRAIN Initiative Alliance Member.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a> The Simons Collaboration on the Global Brain (SCGB) is working to understand the internal processes underlying cognition.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="major-gifts">Major gifts</h2> <p>In May 2022, the Simons Foundation partnered with Stony Brook University to boost diversity in <a href="/facts/STEM/NAsAI1nG">STEM</a>, with a $56 million gift.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a> </p><p>In April 2023, the Simons Foundation pledged $100 million to support “The New York Climate Exchange” (“The Exchange”) on <a href="/facts/Governors_Island/tHHL1d8b">Governors Island</a> in New York City. The Exchange — a $700 million, 172-acre international center for developing and deploying dynamic solutions to the global climate crisis — is set to open in 2028.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a> </p><p>In June 2023, the Simons Foundation presented Stony Brook University with a $500 million unrestricted gift, which is one of the largest gifts ever made to a U.S. university.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a> </p><p>The Simons Foundation is a major supporter of Math for America, which has built a community of accomplished mathematics and science teachers who make a lasting impact in their schools, their communities, and the profession at large through collaboration and continued learning.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="supported-institutes">Supported institutes</h2> <ul><li>Simons Center for Geometry and Physics (<a href="/facts/Stony_Brook_University/4LwsKo7h">Stony Brook University</a>)</li><li>Simons Center for Quantitative Biology (<a href="/facts/Cold_Spring_Harbor_Laboratory/9FYeeoIw">Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</a>)</li><li><a href="/facts/Simons_Institute_for_the_Theory_of_Computing/d8KjQUff">Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing</a> (<a href="/facts/University_of_California%2c_Berkeley/MXVEjklr">University of California, Berkeley</a>)</li><li><a href="/facts/Simons_Laufer_Mathematical_Sciences_Institute/Kvc4tGVl">Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute</a> (University of California, Berkeley)</li><li>Simons Center for the Social Brain (<a href="/facts/Massachusetts_Institute_of_Technology/Xk49vNA8">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</a>)</li><li>NSF-Simons Center for Quantitative Biology (<a href="/facts/Northwestern_University/4dunJHBf">Northwestern University</a>)</li></ul> <h2 id="philanthro-journalism">Philanthro-journalism</h2> <p>The foundation also funds two editorially independent online publications: <i><a href="/facts/Quanta_Magazine/FkbYnGtU">Quanta Magazine</a></i> and <i><a href="/facts/The_Transmitter/mRXnWB5n">The Transmitter</a></i>. Quanta reports on developments in mathematics, theoretical physics, theoretical computer science and the basic life sciences.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a> <i>The Transmitter</i> provides news and analysis of advancements in <a href="/facts/Neuroscience/o5RV8Cas">neuroscience</a> research and is the successor to <i><a href="/facts/Spectrum_(online_publication)/mRXnWB5n">Spectrum</a></i>, a publication focused on <a href="/facts/Autism/6MTwMNoJ">autism</a> research which originated as the News & Opinion section of the <a href="/facts/Simons_Foundation_Autism_Research_Initiative/Nfym3uzg">Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative</a> website.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19"><sup>19</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Simons_Foundation_Autism_Research_Initiative/Nfym3uzg">Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Flatiron_Institute/uAUdsTGG">Flatiron Institute</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Math_for_America/vJ6oGfR8">Math for America</a></li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li><a href="https://www.simonsfoundation.org/">Official website</a> </li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"Simons Foundation: Funder of Basic Science Research, Early Mover in Autism Science". Autism Spectrum News. January 1, 2017. Retrieved December 27, 2022. <a href="https://autismspectrumnews.org/simons-foundation-funder-of-basic-science-research-early-mover-in-autism-science/" target="_blank">https://autismspectrumnews.org/simons-foundation-funder-of-basic-science-research-early-mover-in-autism-science/</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"Simons Foundation Annual Reports". simonsfoundation.org. <a href="https://www.simonsfoundation.org/annual-reports/" target="_blank">https://www.simonsfoundation.org/annual-reports/</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>Karon, Paul (August 4, 2021). "The Simons Foundation Has A New President For the First Time In Its History". Inside Philanthropy. <a href="https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2021/8/4/the-simons-foundation-has-a-new-president-for-the-first-time-in-its-history-wheres-it-headed-next/" target="_blank">https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2021/8/4/the-simons-foundation-has-a-new-president-for-the-first-time-in-its-history-wheres-it-headed-next/</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Chang, Kenneth (November 22, 2016). "James Simons's Foundation Starts New Institute for Computing, Big Data". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 20, 2017. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/22/science/flatiron-institute-james-simons-foundation.html" target="_blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/22/science/flatiron-institute-james-simons-foundation.html</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"About Simons Foundation". Simons Foundation. Retrieved January 23, 2017. <a href="https://www.simonsfoundation.org/about-us/" target="_blank">https://www.simonsfoundation.org/about-us/</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>Callahan, David (August 15, 2017). "Inside the Simons Foundation: Big Philanthropy on the Frontiers of Science". Inside Philanthropy. Retrieved January 20, 2017. <a href="http://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2016/5/17/inside-the-simons-foundation-big-philanthropy-on-the-frontie.html" target="_blank">http://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2016/5/17/inside-the-simons-foundation-big-philanthropy-on-the-frontie.html</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>Simons Investigators, The Simons Foundation <a href="https://www.simonsfoundation.org/mathematics-physical-sciences/simons-investigators/" target="_blank">https://www.simonsfoundation.org/mathematics-physical-sciences/simons-investigators/</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>Simons Investigators Awardees, The Simons Foundation <a href="https://www.simonsfoundation.org/mathematics-physical-sciences/simons-investigators/simons-investigators-awardees/" target="_blank">https://www.simonsfoundation.org/mathematics-physical-sciences/simons-investigators/simons-investigators-awardees/</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>Simons Foundation Collaborations, The Simons Foundation <a href="https://www.simonsfoundation.org/collaborations/" target="_blank">https://www.simonsfoundation.org/collaborations/</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>"Participants". The BRAIN Initiative. <a href="https://www.braininitiative.org/participants/" target="_blank">https://www.braininitiative.org/participants/</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>"Simons Foundation". The BRAIN Initiative. <a href="https://www.braininitiative.org/alliance/simons-foundation/" target="_blank">https://www.braininitiative.org/alliance/simons-foundation/</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>Genn, Adina (May 11, 2022). "Simons Foundation SBU Aims to Boost Diversity in Stem". Long Island Business News. <a href="https://libn.com/2022/05/11/simons-foundation-sbu-aim-to-boost-diversity-in-stem/" target="_blank">https://libn.com/2022/05/11/simons-foundation-sbu-aim-to-boost-diversity-in-stem/</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>Fitzsimmons, Emma G.; Rubinstein, Dana (April 24, 2023). "Governors Island to Be Site of $700 Million Climate Campus". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 3, 2023. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/24/nyregion/climate-hub-governors-island.html" target="_blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/24/nyregion/climate-hub-governors-island.html</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>Stack, Liam (June 1, 2023). "Stony Brook University to Receive $500 Million, an Uncommonly Large Gift". The New York Times. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/01/nyregion/stony-brook-university-gift.html" target="_blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/01/nyregion/stony-brook-university-gift.html</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>Conklin, Richard. "Math For America Retains Talented Step Teachers Through Ecosystem of Trust". Education World. Retrieved September 6, 2022. <a href="https://www.educationworld.com/a_news/math-america-retains-talented-stem-teachers-through-ecosystem-trust-1328996005" target="_blank">https://www.educationworld.com/a_news/math-america-retains-talented-stem-teachers-through-ecosystem-trust-1328996005</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>Thomas, Kei-Sygh (September 25, 2017). "15 Million to 1000 Top Math Science Teachers: How 'Math for America' Is Boosting STEM in Schools". The 74. <a href="https://www.the74million.org/article/15-million-to-1000-top-math-science-teachers-how-math-for-america-is-boosting-stem-in-schools/" target="_blank">https://www.the74million.org/article/15-million-to-1000-top-math-science-teachers-how-math-for-america-is-boosting-stem-in-schools/</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>"About Quanta". Quanta Magazine. Retrieved September 6, 2022. <a href="https://www.quantamagazine.org/about/" target="_blank">https://www.quantamagazine.org/about/</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>"About Spectrum". Spectrum News. Retrieved September 6, 2022. <a href="https://spectrumnews.org/about/" target="_blank">https://spectrumnews.org/about/</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:19"><p>Oransky, Ivan. "Welcome to The Transmitter". The Transmitter. Retrieved December 18, 2023. <a href="https://www.thetransmitter.org/neuroscience/welcome-to-the-transmitter/" target="_blank">https://www.thetransmitter.org/neuroscience/welcome-to-the-transmitter/</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>