Foundation for Chemistry Research and Initiatives

About Foundation for Chemistry Research and Initiatives

A defining feature of Foundation for Chemistry Research and Initiatives is its use of targeted research sponsorships to advance chemistry-related science, especially work on environmental and human health, exposure science, and risk assessment. Recent awards show a strong preference for project-specific support rather than broad unrestricted giving, with research presented through publications, meetings, and symposia. The foundation also uses its grantmaking to connect research with public-health and community outcomes, including work on airborne microplastics, drinking water policy, and environmental monitoring programs. Two recent grants illustrate that pattern. It gave $275,000 to the University of Rochester to support research by Dr. Alison Elder on airborne microplastics in outdoor environments and Dr. Samantha Romanick on related microplastics questions. It also awarded $280,000 to Lakind Associates LLC to support creating and sustaining public-private partnerships for environmental monitoring programs. Those grants sit alongside support for chemistry education and outreach, including HBCU college fairs and You Be The Chemist. The mix points to a funder that backs scientific research, technical convenings, and selected public engagement projects tied to chemistry and health.

What Foundation for Chemistry Research and Initiatives Funds

Microplastics and detection research are a clear priority. The foundation gave $75,000 and $275,000 to the University of Rochester for work by Dr. Alison Elder and Dr. Samantha Romanick on airborne microplastics in outdoor environments. At Pennsylvania State University, it provided $50,000 for Dr. Xiaoshi Zhang’s research on lower size limits of microplastics and the challenges of detecting them in complex samples. Environmental monitoring and policy design appear in another line of work. Lakind Associates LLC received $280,000 for creating and sustaining successful public-private partnerships for environmental monitoring programs, and Summit Strategy Group LLC received $85,000 to support the Water and Health Advisory Council in analyzing drinking water policies. The foundation also supports chemistry education and access. It awarded $87,000 to the American Institute of Chemical Engineers for HBCU Week 2024 college fair and $10,000 to the Chemical Educational Foundation for You Be The Chemist Challenge.

How Foundation for Chemistry Research and Initiatives Gives