The Mathers Foundation Grants Program

Sponsor: The G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation
Internal Deadline: 06/30/2026
Institutional Submission Limit: 3
Sponsor Deadline: 07/17/2026
Program Website

The G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation supports basic science research, ideally with potential translational applications. Examples of current research areas supported by the foundation include immunology, microbiome research, genomics, structural biology, cellular physiology, cancer biology, genetics, microbiology and infectious diseases, stem cell biology, and neuroscience.

The foundation does not fund research in the following areas: COVID-19, plant biology, oceanography, space exploration, global warming-related research, agriculture and herbicide research, clinical trials or drug discovery, vaccine development, ecology, or environmental research.

Grant duration must be three years, and total grant budgets should not exceed $600,000–$700,000, including indirect expenses. Indirect costs are capped at 10%.

Universities are limited to three applications per cycle. Applicants will be notified of proposal invitation or LOI rejection within one month of the sponsor deadline.

Submission Process

Faculty interested in submitting for this opportunity should submit the following materials as a single PDF to Corporate and Foundation Relations at USCCFR@sc.edu by 5:00 p.m. on June 30, 2026:

• A 2–3-page project summary addressing the importance and significance of the work, along with a brief outline of the project aims. The summary must be written in language appropriate for a non-expert/lay audience. Please include the project title, PI, and a list of key collaborators. The summary should also include an estimated project budget, proof-of-concept evidence or validation for the project, and whether the proof-of-concept work has been published in any scientific journals.
• A 2–3-page CV or biosketch for the PI.

For questions regarding the following, please contact: 

Jenni Asman, Corporate and Foundation Relations, University Development; asmanj@mailbox.sc.edu