Who We Are

The Experiment Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. We work with the team at Experiment through our facilitation of grant programs and patronage efforts, but we maintain separate organizational governance.

Experiment has grown into the largest science crowdfunding website in the world. Thousands of researchers come to Experiment to pursue the ideas and questions that are most meaningful to them. A peer-reviewed study found that the platform flipped science’s traditional reward model.

The Experiment Foundation connects foundations, companies, and federal agencies with that enthusiasm and brainpower. Our programs have funded more than 250 new technology and research projects. And the unique funding model has won awards—the 2022 Falling Walls “Breakthrough of the Year” in the Science and Innovation Management Category through our partnership with Robert Downey Jr’s FootPrint Coalition.

How We Work

Our main program is the Science Engine—a regranting program that enables lots of microgrants for early-stage ideas and projects. The Science Engine puts funding and discretion closer to the scientists by letting “Science Angels” make quick decisions on small, fast grants.

The mechanism and reasoning is simple. The next big discovery will likely start as a simple “What if …?” question. Our model fixes some of the pitfalls of existing funding structures by supporting researchers and research that the existing system misses. More than anything else: it confers agency. The fast grant model means that scientists and technologists—especially early-career and student researchers—are encouraged to work on their best ideas now.

For more background on the program, here’s the trilogy of essays that kickstarted the effort:

Fixing the Back Burner  — The data we have from the National Science Foundation (NSF) on funding smaller, high-risk, high-reward research ideas outside of the traditional peer-review process is incredibly promising. It also tells us that this funding technique is currently underutilized among federal agencies.

True Believers — Sustained belief in the earliest stages of curiosity is critical. Adding financial momentum during that period and designating people to act as true believers would increase risk-taking at the edges.

Making a Scene — Nascent fields of scientific research can be accelerated and improved through a combination of connection, funding, and cohorts.

We spent years interviewing scientists, trying to understand how the institution could and should be improved. We also spent years doing it—testing those ideas in the world. The latest learnings, coming soon:

Become the Science Funder You Want to See In the World — Lessons from 3 years of micro-granting.

Working Together

We exist to help organizations become better science funders. If you’re a foundation or company and you’d like to partner on a new initiative, please reach out.

Here’s more about how you can support us.