The Robert A. Welch Foundation is a major funder of basic chemical research, concentrating large gifts to leading Texas research universities and research institutes. Its grants overwhelmingly support chemistry-focused programs, institutes, chairs, and infrastructure at institutions such as UT Austin, UT Southwestern, Texas A&M, Rice, and University of Houston. The foundation favors institution-level investments that strengthen the state’s academic chemistry capacity and scientific discovery pipeline.
The Robert A Welch Foundation puts chemistry at the center of its giving, and its largest recent grants show that clearly. In 2024, it awarded $10,570,000 to The University of Texas at Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas for basic research in chemistry and related fields, followed by $10,000,000 to Texas A&M Foundation in 2025 for the same broad purpose. Those awards sit within a long pattern of large institution-level grants to Texas universities and research centers, especially in chemistry-focused research programs, institutes, chairs, and facilities. The foundation’s recent support reaches major research hubs such as The University of Texas at Austin, Rice University, University of Houston, Baylor College of Medicine, and The University of Texas at Dallas. A distinctive feature of its giving is the way it backs both broad research capacity and named scientific recognition: in 2025, it awarded $500,000 to Jacqueline Barton Dervan for the Welch Award in Chemistry and related fields. Across the recent grants list, its support is tightly aligned with strengthening chemical sciences at Texas academic institutions and research laboratories.
Basic chemistry research is the foundation’s core area. It gave $7,460,000 to University of Houston in 2024 for basic research in chemistry and related fields, and $6,666,000 to The University of Texas at Austin in 2023 for the same purpose. It also supported Texas A&M University with $4,720,000 in 2023 and $2,860,000 in 2024, again tied to basic research in chemistry and related fields. The foundation also funds specialized chemistry infrastructure and institutes. In 2023, it granted $4,956,600 to RICE UNIVERSITY- Welch Institute in Houston for basic research in chemistry and related fields, alongside $4,800,000 to Rice University in the same year. Individual recognition is part of the portfolio as well: Jacqueline Barton Dervan received the Welch Award in Chemistry and related fields in 2025.
Typical grant size sits at $40,000 at the 25th percentile, a median of $65,000, and $280,000 at the 75th percentile, though the recent grant list also includes much larger institutional awards in the millions. The pattern is highly recurring rather than one-off: the same Texas universities appear across multiple years, including The University of Texas at Southwestern Medical Center, The University of Texas at Austin, Rice University, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, Baylor College of Medicine, and The University of Texas at Dallas. The foundation is a grantmaking foundation, not a PRI maker, and the data also shows it funds individuals. Grants are concentrated in Texas and routed through academic and research institutions.
$39.3M
$619M
$36.8M
$64.3M
Most grants fall between $40K and $280K, with a median of $65K.
25th Percentile
$40K
Median
$65K
75th Percentile
$280K
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Concentrated, large-dollar grants to a small number of repeat grantees (major Texas universities and their research arms); multi-grant relationships focused on institutional research capacity rather than many small community grants.
Notable grantees: The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Texas A&M Foundation / Texas A&M University, Rice University, University of Houston
Grantmaking is entirely U.S.-based, with 190 grants going to U.S. recipients. Texas is the clear recipient state, and the recent grants cluster in Houston, Dallas, Austin, College Station, Richardson, Waco, and San Antonio. Houston appears repeatedly through University of Houston, Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine, and the Welch Institute at Rice. Dallas and College Station are also frequent recipient locations, with Austin, Richardson, Waco, and San Antonio adding to the Texas-wide spread. Although the foundation is headquartered in Houston, its giving reaches multiple Texas research cities rather than one metro alone.
It primarily funds basic chemistry research and related fields. The recent grants list shows repeated support for Texas universities and research institutions for basic research in chemistry and related fields, along with support for chemistry institutes, endowed research programs, and scientific recognition.
Yes. The foundation’s profile indicates it funds individuals, and the recent grants list includes a $500,000 award in 2025 to Jacqueline Barton Dervan for the Welch Award in Chemistry and related fields.
Its grantmaking is local to Texas. The data shows 100% of grants go to recipients in Texas, with recent awards in Houston, Dallas, Austin, College Station, Richardson, Waco, and San Antonio.
The distribution centers on a $40,000 25th percentile, a $65,000 median, and a $280,000 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes much larger awards in the millions for Texas research institutions.
Yes. Multiple recipients appear across several years, including The University of Texas at Southwestern Medical Center, The University of Texas at Austin, Rice University, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, Baylor College of Medicine, and The University of Texas at Dallas.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Robert A Welch Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Eligibility is governed by the Departmental Grant Guidelines; the program is directed to departments at educational institutions in Texas.
Deadline: Portal opens August 1; applications due September 15; awards announced November 15.
Who can apply: Applicants must be full-time tenure or tenure-track faculty members at a university, college, or educational institution located within Texas.
Deadline: Portal opens November 1; applications due January 31; awards announced April 15.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN | AUSTIN, TX | $7,964,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER | DALLAS, TX | $6,170,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| RICE UNIVERSITY | HOUSTON, TX | $4,167,740 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $3,300,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY | COLLEGE STATION, TX | $2,945,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE | HOUSTON, TX | $2,600,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS | RICHARDSON, TX | $1,503,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| BAYLOR UNIVERSITY | WACO, TX | $720,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY | LUBBOCK, TX | $700,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $500,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SAN ANTONIO | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $500,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| ERIC N JACOBSEN | HOSTON, TX | $500,000 | 2026 | WELCH AWARD IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY | FORT WORTH, TX | $500,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $500,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY | SAN MARCOS, TX | $400,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| TRINITY UNIVERSITY | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $360,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON | ARLINGTON, TX | $300,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS | DENTON, TX | $300,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO | EL PASO, TX | $300,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| THE TEXAS INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE FOUNDATION | AUSTIN, TX | $263,929 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY | HUNTSVILLE, TX | $235,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH AT GALVESTON | GALVESTON, TX | $200,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| RICE UNIVERSITY - LSRF | HOUSTON, TX | $160,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| LAMAR UNIVERSITY | BEAUMONT, TX | $135,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT RIO GRANDE VALLEY | EDINBURG, TX | $135,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| STEPHEN F AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY | NACOGDOCHES, TX | $135,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| AUSTIN COLLEGE | SHERMAN, TX | $135,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY | DENTON, TX | $135,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-CORPUS | CORPUS CHRISTI, TX | $135,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| HOUSTON CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY | HOUSTON, TX | $120,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| ST EDWARD'S UNIVERSITY | AUSTIN, TX | $120,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| TEXAS LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY | SEGUIN, TX | $120,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| SCHREINER UNIVERSITY | KERRVILLE, TX | $115,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| LETOURNEAU UNIVERSITY | LONGVIEW, TX | $115,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| HOWARD PAYNE UNIVERSITY | BROWNWOOD, TX | $105,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| LIVIA SCHIAVINATO EBERLIN | HOSTON, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | NORMAN HACKERMAN AWARD IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY | DALLAS, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| BAYLOR UNIVERSITY - LSRF | WACO, TX | $80,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN-LSRF | AUSTIN, TX | $80,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER-LSRF | DALLAS, TX | $80,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-LSRF | COLLEGE STATION, TX | $80,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| UNIVERSITY OF THE INCARNATE WORD | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $60,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-DOWNTOWN | HOUSTON, TX | $60,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY - KINGSVILLE | KINGSVILLE, TX | $60,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS | HOUSTON, TX | $55,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| EAST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY | CORPUS CHRISTI, TX | $55,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | GEORGETOWN, TX | $55,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY | ABILENE, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT TYLER | TYLER, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
| WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY | CANYON, TX | $45,000 | 2026 | BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS |
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
$7,964,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER
$6,170,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
$3,300,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
$2,945,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS
$1,503,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY
$700,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SAN ANTONIO
$500,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
ERIC N JACOBSEN
$500,000WELCH AWARD IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
$500,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON
$500,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY
$400,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
TRINITY UNIVERSITY
$360,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
$300,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS
$300,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
THE TEXAS INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE FOUNDATION
$263,929BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY
$235,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT RIO GRANDE VALLEY
$135,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
STEPHEN F AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY
$135,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
AUSTIN COLLEGE
$135,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY
$135,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-CORPUS
$135,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
HOUSTON CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
$120,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
TEXAS LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY
$120,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
LIVIA SCHIAVINATO EBERLIN
$100,000NORMAN HACKERMAN AWARD IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY - LSRF
$80,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN-LSRF
$80,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER-LSRF
$80,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-LSRF
$80,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
UNIVERSITY OF THE INCARNATE WORD
$60,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-DOWNTOWN
$60,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY - KINGSVILLE
$60,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
EAST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
$55,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT TYLER
$50,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS
WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
$45,000BASIC RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND RELATED FIELDS