Funding search · EIN 133794889 · New York, NY

The Simons Foundation

A private foundation (files IRS Form 990-PF). Most private foundations do not take unsolicited applications; the route in is usually a program officer.

5,303
grants reported
$846.7M
total given
2022–2024
filing years
$72,495
median grant

Based on grants this organization reported to the IRS for tax years 20222024. This is what they filed, not a complete record of their giving, and recent years may be incomplete because filings lag.

What they fund

simonstheoryinvestigatorautismresearchgeometrybraincollaboration

Funder website ↗Full IRS filings ↗How this is builtReport an error

Funding pattern

What this funder pays for, at what size, and how to position adjacent work. Read from their filings, with every number checked against the record.

Where the money goes

  • Autism genetics, sex differences, and ASD mechanism research
  • Fundamental mathematics, theoretical physics, and theory of computing
  • Marine microbial ecology, plankton biogeography, ocean 'omics
  • Computational and quantitative biology centers, often NSF-Simons cofunded
  • STEM education pipelines, scholars programs, and science outreach
  • Institutional capital and matching gifts, heavily Stony Brook and NYC

Typical grant

Median grant is about $72,000, with the middle half running $8,400 to $160,804, so most of the file is small: fellowships, travel, individual investigator supplements, and pieces of larger collaborations. The big checks, $1M to $20M, go to institutional infrastructure and named centers (New York Genome Center, Stony Brook matching gifts, Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing, NSF-Simons centers) rather than to single projects. Giving repeats hard: the same universities and the same collaboration titles reappear year over year in multi-site, multi-project structures.

Their words

Phrases from their own grant descriptions, worth speaking back to them.

  • SIMONS COLLABORATION ON
  • SIMONS JUNIOR FACULTY FELLOWS
  • NSF-SIMONS CENTER
  • PRINCIPLES OF MICROBIAL ECOSYSTEMS
  • AUTISM SEX DIFFERENCES
  • SIMONS INVESTIGATOR

Positioning adjacent work

  • Frame work as one project or core within a multi-site collaboration, the structure they already fund repeatedly.
  • For autism-adjacent work, connect to sex differences, somatic variants, or SPARK/Simons VIP cohort data.
  • Ask in the $400K to $900K range for a single-lab project; that matches their per-site awards.
  • Emphasize theory, computation, and open data tools; they fund arXiv modernization and big-data pipelines.

Worth knowing: Money concentrates in NY, CA, and MA, with Stony Brook receiving repeated eight-figure institutional and matching support tied to the founders' history there. A large share flows to a stable set of elite institutions inside named Simons collaborations, so entry usually comes through joining an existing collaboration or being recruited as an investigator rather than arriving cold.

32 grants matching “large · $4.2M

  • $344,448

    Queen Mary University of London · 2024

    Life at large n

  • $304,626

    Jet Propulsion Laboratory · Pasadena, CA · 2024

    Dissecting social attention in autism using large-sample eye tracking over the internet

  • $304,071

    John Carroll University · University Heights, OH · 2024

    Validation of an online neurobehavioral evaluation tool (net) across large autism cohorts

  • $244,774

    University of Southern California · Los Angeles, CA · 2024

    Large-scale implications of micro-scale microbial ecosystem dynamics

  • $120,000

    New York University · New York, NY · 2024

    Theory of the multiregional large-scale brain circuits

  • $72,000

    Eth Zurich Foundation · 2024

    Life at large n

  • $8,400

    Uc Santa Barbara · Santa Barbara, CA · 2024

    Machine learning algorithms and theory for large population games on networks

  • $7,000

    University of Nc Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC · 2024

    Stochastic coarse-graining and large deviations

  • $293,809

    John Carroll University · University Heights, OH · 2023

    Validation of an online neurobehavioral evaluation tool (net) across large autism cohorts

  • $217,111

    University of Southern California · Los Angeles, CA · 2023

    Large-scale implications of micro-scale microbial ecosystem dynamics

  • $211,667

    University of British Columbia · 2023

    Understanding and reversing large protein underproduction in fragile x-associated disorders

  • $192,295

    California Institute of Technology · Pasadena, CA · 2023

    Dissecting social attention in autism using large-sample eye tracking over the internet

  • $120,000

    Trustees of Dartmouth College · Hanover, NH · 2023

    Large-scale behavioral investigations of conversational alignment in adults with and without autism

  • $111,652

    Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, MD · 2023

    Revisiting the turbulence problem using statistical mechanics: large deviations, anomalies and cascades

  • $100,000

    Northwestern University · Chicago, IL · 2023

    Computation timescales as an organizing principle of large-scale cortical dynamics during decision making

  • $100,000

    Leland Stanford Junior University · Redwood City, CA · 2023

    How does the brain predict the future? Large-scale neural calcium imaging, two-photon optogenetic and deep neural network studies of future prediction across 11 neocortical areas in behaving mice

  • $79,308

    New York University · New York, NY · 2023

    Multi-regional neuronal dynamics of memory-guided flexible behavior; theory of distributed persistent activity in large-scale brain circuits

  • $66,000

    University of Maryland-College Park · College Park, MD · 2023

    Large genus teichmueller dynamics and conjugacy problems for parabolic systems

  • $60,000

    New York University · New York, NY · 2023

    Theory of the multiregional large-scale brain circuits

  • $8,400

    Uc Santa Barbara · Santa Barbara, CA · 2023

    Machine learning algorithms and theory for large population games on networks

  • $8,400

    University of Notre Dame · Notre Dame, IN · 2023

    Random matrices and the large-n limit

  • $7,000

    University of North Carolina · Chapel Hill, NC · 2023

    Stochastic coarse-graining and large deviations

  • $232,141

    Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, MD · 2022

    Revisiting the turbulence problem using statistical mechanics: large deviations, anomalies and cascades

  • $200,000

    Leland Stanford Junior University · Redwood City, CA · 2022

    How does the brain predict the future? Large-scale neural calcium imaging, two-photon optogenetic and deep neural network studies of future prediction across 11 neocortical areas in behaving mice

  • $200,000

    Northwestern University - Chicago · Chicago, IL · 2022

    Computation timescales as an organizing principle of large-scale cortical dynamics during decision making

  • $165,000

    University of British Columbia · 2022

    Understanding and reversing large protein underproduction in fragile x-associated disorders

  • $158,814

    New York University · New York, NY · 2022

    Multi-regional neuronal dynamics of memory-guided flexible behavior; spi wang: theory of distributed persistent activity in large-scale brain circuits

  • $120,000

    Trustees of Dartmouth College · Hanover, NH · 2022

    Large-scale behavioral investigations of conversational alignment in adults with and without autism

  • $97,696

    University of Southern California · Los Angeles, CA · 2022

    Large-scale implications of micro-scale microbial ecosystem dynamics

  • $66,000

    University of Maryland-College Park · College Park, MD · 2022

    Large genus teichmueller dynamics and conjugacy problems for parabolic systems

  • $8,400

    University of Notre Dame · Notre Dame, IN · 2022

    Random matrices and the large-n limit

  • $8,400

    University of Tennessee Knoxville · Knoxville, TN · 2022

    Precise large scale asymptotics for parabolic anderson models and other spd

Top recipients

Repeat recipients are the strongest signal of whether a funder has an open door or quietly re-funds the same organizations.

  • New York Genome Center6 grants · $40.9M
  • University of California San Diego38 grants · $34.1M
  • MIT141 grants · $30.2M
  • Stony Brook Foundation19 grants · $28.4M
  • Columbia University142 grants · $22.5M
  • New York University89 grants · $20.9M
  • New York Genome Center3 grants · $20.5M
  • Uc San Diego43 grants · $20.4M
  • Princeton University111 grants · $19.5M
  • Math for America1 grant · $19.0M

Giving over time

$300.9M
2022
$283.8M
2023
$261.9M
2024

Grant history

The 100 largest of 5,303 grants.

  • $26.5M

    University of California San Diego · La Jolla, CA · 2022

    Simons observatory

  • $20.0M

    New York Genome Center · New York, NY · 2024

    New york genome center 2018 "new gift"

  • $20.0M

    New York Genome Center · New York, NY · 2023

    New york genome center 2018 "new gift"

  • $20.0M

    New York Genome Center · New York, NY · 2022

    New york genome center 2018 "new gift"

  • $19.0M

    Math for America · New York, NY · 2022

    Mfa new pledge

  • $12.8M

    Uc San Diego · La Jolla, CA · 2023

    Simons observatory

  • $7.9M

    Stony Brook Foundation · Stony Brook, NY · 2022

    Presidential innovation and excellence fund matching gift

  • $6.7M

    Stony Brook Foundation · Stony Brook, NY · 2024

    Simons infinity investment matching gift

  • $5.6M

    University of Edinburgh · 2023

    A major programme of fundamental and clinical autism research

  • $5.1M

    University of Edinburgh · 2024

    A major programme of fundamental and clinical autism research

  • $4.8M

    University of Edinburgh · 2022

    A major programme of fundamental and clinical autism research

  • $4.5M

    Uc Berkeley · Berkeley, CA · 2023

    Simons institute for the theory of computing

  • $4.4M

    New York University · New York, NY · 2024

    Simons center for computational physical chemistry

  • $4.4M

    Stony Brook Foundation · Stony Brook, NY · 2023

    Presidential innovation and excellence fund matching gift

  • $4.2M

    Clinical Research Associates · New York, NY · 2024

    Autism research

  • $4.1M

    Northwestern University · Chicago, IL · 2024

    National institute for theory and mathematics in biology

  • $4.0M

    National Museum of Mathematics · New York, NY · 2023

    Momath capital campaign matching pledge

  • $3.9M

    University of California Berkeley · Berkeley, CA · 2022

    Simons institute for the theory of computing

  • $3.8M

    Uc Berkeley · Berkeley, CA · 2024

    Simons institute for the theory of computing

  • $3.5M

    Stony Brook Foundation · Stony Brook, NY · 2024

    Simons math/physics operating fund

  • $3.4M

    Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory · Cold Spring Harbor, NY · 2024

    Applications of genomics to breast cancer detection, risk assessment and treatment response

  • $3.3M

    Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory · Cold Spring Harbor, NY · 2023

    Applications of genomics to breast cancer detection, risk assessment and treatment response

  • $3.2M

    Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory · Cold Spring Harbor, NY · 2022

    Applications of genomics to breast cancer detection, risk assessment and treatment response

  • $3.2M

    Clinical Research Associates · New York, NY · 2022

    Autism research

  • $3.1M

    Clinical Research Associates · New York, NY · 2023

    Autism research

  • $3.1M

    Stony Brook Foundation · Stony Brook, NY · 2024

    Presidential innovation and excellence fund matching gift

  • $3.0M

    Institute for Advanced Study · Princeton, NJ · 2022

    Institute for advanced study (ias) unrestricted gift

  • $2.9M

    Stony Brook Foundation · Stony Brook, NY · 2023

    Simons math/physics operating fund

  • $2.9M

    Ucsf · San Francisco, CA · 2024

    Anatomical, molecular, and systems approaches to elucidate the mechanism of sex bias in the asd

  • $2.6M

    Stony Brook Foundation · Stony Brook, NY · 2022

    Simons math/physics operating fund

  • $2.6M

    University of California San Diego · La Jolla, CA · 2022

    Array project 3

  • $2.5M

    Stony Brook Foundation · Stony Brook, NY · 2023

    Scgp current use fund

  • $2.5M

    Stony Brook Foundation · Stony Brook, NY · 2022

    Scgp current use fund

  • $2.2M

    Hautes Etudes Scientifiques · 2024

    Operating support

  • $2.1M

    Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory · Cold Spring Harbor, NY · 2022

    Genetic contribution to autism

  • $2.1M

    University of Washington · Seattle, WA · 2023

    Scope-uw operations support

  • $2.0M

    University of Cambridge · 2022

    The autism prenatal sex differences (apex) program

  • $2.0M

    Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory · Cold Spring Harbor, NY · 2024

    Genetic contribution to autism

  • $2.0M

    Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory · Cold Spring Harbor, NY · 2023

    Genetic contribution to autism

  • $1.9M

    Northwestern University · Chicago, IL · 2023

    National institute for theory and mathematics in biology

  • $1.8M

    Uc San Diego · La Jolla, CA · 2023

    Array project 3

  • $1.7M

    New York University · New York, NY · 2022

    Simons center for computational physical chemistry

  • $1.5M

    Cornell University · Ithaca, NY · 2024

    Support for arxiv mmodernization

  • $1.5M

    Northwestern University · Chicago, IL · 2024

    Nsf-simons center for quantitative biology

  • $1.5M

    Univ of California San Francisco · San Francisco, CA · 2022

    Anatomical, molecular, and systems approaches to elucidate the mechanism of sex bias in the asd

  • $1.5M

    Research Foundation of the Cuny · New York City, NY · 2024

    Cuny masters in astrophysics bridge program

  • $1.4M

    MIT · Cambridge, MA · 2022

    The new simons center for the social brain

  • $1.3M

    MIT · Cambridge, MA · 2023

    Computational biogeochemical modeling of marine ecosystems

  • $1.3M

    Eth Zurich · 2024

    Prime - principles of microbial ecosystems

  • $1.3M

    Esther & Joseph Klingenstein Fund · New York, NY · 2023

    Klingenstein-simons fellowship awards in the neurosciences

  • $1.3M

    Esther & Joseph Klingenstein Fund · New York, NY · 2022

    Klingenstein-simons fellowship awards in the neurosciences

  • $1.3M

    Harvard University · Cambridge, MA · 2024

    Nsf-simons center for mathematical and statistical analysis of biology

  • $1.3M

    Stony Brook Foundation · Stony Brook, NY · 2024

    Scgp current use fund

  • $1.3M

    California Institute of Technology · Pasadena, CA · 2023

    Planetary context of habitability and exobiology

  • $1.3M

    Institut Des Hautes Etudes Scient · 2022

    Operating support

  • $1.2M

    University of Hawaii · Honolulu, HI · 2022

    Scope-uh operations support

  • $1.2M

    Boston Children'S Hospital · Boston, MA · 2023

    Identification and impact of somatic mutations in regulatory regions in autism brain

  • $1.2M

    University of Hawaii · Honolulu, HI · 2023

    Scope-uh operations support

  • $1.1M

    Columbia University · New York, NY · 2024

    Simons junior faculty fellows

  • $1.1M

    Harvard University · Cambridge, MA · 2024

    Ultra-quantum matter

  • $1.1M

    Stony Brook Foundation · Stony Brook, NY · 2023

    Stony brook simons stem scholars program

  • $1.1M

    MIT · Cambridge, MA · 2023

    Arithmetic geometry, number theory, and computation

  • $1.1M

    Washington University in St Louis · St Louis, MO · 2024

    Analysis of mechanisms underlying sex epistasis in autism - core

  • $1.0M

    University of Washington · Seattle, WA · 2024

    Data and tools to define the biogeography of marine phytoplankton

  • $1.0M

    Georgia Tech Research Corporation · Atlanta, GA · 2023

    Nsf-simons southeast center for mathematics and biology

  • $1.0M

    Harvard University · Cambridge, MA · 2024

    Nsf-simons center for mathematical and statistical analysis of biology

  • $1.0M

    Jet Propulsion Laboratory · Pasadena, CA · 2024

    Planetary context of habitability and exobiology

  • $1.0M

    Stony Brook Foundation · Stony Brook, NY · 2024

    Nyce matching grant

  • $1.0M

    Uc Berkeley · Berkeley, CA · 2024

    Collaboration on the theoretical foundations of deep learning

  • $1.0M

    Stony Brook Foundation · Stony Brook, NY · 2023

    New york climate exchange fund matching pledge

  • $1.0M

    Uc Berkeley · Berkeley, CA · 2023

    Collaboration on the theoretical foundations of deep learning

  • $1.0M

    Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory · Cold Spring Harbor, NY · 2022

    Cshl cancer research gift

  • $1.0M

    Ecole Nationale Des Ponts Et Chaus · New York, NY · 2022

    Computational oncology program

  • $999,342

    Georgia Tech Research Corporation · Atlanta, GA · 2023

    Nsf-simons southeast center for mathematics and biology

  • $998,293

    MIT · Cambridge, MA · 2022

    Arithmetic geometry, number theory, and computation

  • $988,360

    Cornell University · Ithaca, NY · 2022

    Arxiv operating grant

  • $976,985

    Uc San Francisco · San Francisco, CA · 2023

    Anatomical, molecular, and systems approaches to elucidate the mechanism of sex bias in the asd

  • $958,610

    Research Foundation of Cuny · New York, NY · 2023

    Cuny masters in astrophysics bridge program

  • $953,149

    University of Washington · Seattle, WA · 2023

    Data and tools to define the biogeography of marine phytoplankton

  • $948,145

    MIT · Cambridge, MA · 2024

    Arithmetic geometry, number theory, and computation

  • $937,500

    Rutgers State University of Nj · Piscataway, NJ · 2023

    Simons junior faculty fellows

  • $914,085

    University of Kwazulu-Natal Durban · 2023

    The hydrogen intensity and real-time analysis experiment (hirax)

  • $914,008

    Boston Children'S Hospital · Boston, MA · 2024

    Identification and impact of somatic mutations in regulatory regions in autism brain

  • $900,675

    Institute for Advanced Study · Princeton, NJ · 2022

    Simons bridge for postdoctoral fellowships at ias

  • $890,169

    MIT · Cambridge, MA · 2024

    Computational biogeochemical modeling of marine ecosystems

  • $884,750

    Life Sciences Research Foundation · Charlotte, NC · 2022

    Life sciences research foundation fellowships

  • $880,262

    Ucsd · La Jolla, CA · 2024

    Array project 3

  • $856,641

    Geisinger Clinic · Danville, PA · 2024

    Simons variation in individuals project (vip) recruitment core and phase 2 coordination site

  • $846,293

    Washington University in Stlouis · St Louis, MO · 2023

    Analysis of mechanisms underlying sex epistasis in autism - core

  • $830,226

    Uc Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA · 2023

    Topology of cortical and thalamic gene expression in asd

  • $825,000

    University of Pennsylvania · Philadelphia, PA · 2024

    Collaborative research: transferable, hierarchical, expressive, optimal, robust, interpretable networks (theorinet)

  • $810,000

    MIT · Cambridge, MA · 2023

    The new simons center for the social brain

  • $808,494

    University of Texas Southwestern · Dallas, TX · 2023

    Cellular resolution multi-omics of white matter tracts in asd

  • $794,685

    Stony Brook Foundation · Stony Brook, NY · 2024

    Stony brook simons stem scholars program

  • $772,090

    Cornell University · Ithaca, NY · 2023

    Support for arxiv mmodernization

  • $770,284

    New York University · New York, NY · 2024

    Simons-nyu science explorations program

  • $750,146

    Stony Brook Foundation · Stony Brook, NY · 2023

    Simons junior faculty fellows

  • $750,000

    Columbia University · New York, NY · 2024

    Sex-specific differences in cognitive and brain aging; spi murphy: conserved regulatory pathways in age-related loss of plasticity and cognitive function

  • $750,000

    Smithsonian Institution · Washington, DC · 2024

    The role of microbiomes in shaping the ecology and evolution of tropical forest ecosystems

  • $750,000

    Uc Santa Barbara · Santa Barbara, CA · 2023

    The simons fund for visiting scientists at the kavli institute of theoretical physics

View all 5,303 grants →

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Source: IRS Form 990-PF, Part XV, as filed by the foundation. These are grants already paid — a record of what this funder backs, not an open call.