As a state-related research university, Pitt advances learning through excellence in teaching, research, innovation, and community engagement to create positive impact locally and globally.
University of Pittsburgh’s recent funding is dominated by large research subcontracts, with the biggest award in the file going to New York University for $17,074,410 in 2023. That pattern points to a funder that operates through collaborative research rather than only through small institutional awards. The university’s grantmaking also reaches major research centers across the country, including Carnegie Mellon University, the Regents of the University of California, the Regents of the University of Michigan, and Washington University in St Louis. Those awards sit alongside Pitt’s own stated mission in higher education, scientific research, medicine and health, engineering and technology, public health, and arts and humanities. Its active internal programs add another layer: the Big Idea Center supports student innovators through competitions, seed funding, and entrepreneurship training. In practice, University of Pittsburgh funding spans research project support, research operations and implementation, and research subcontract management. The recipient list shows a portfolio built around universities, hospitals, and other research institutions, with grants flowing nationally rather than staying within one region.
Scientific research and health-related work appear throughout the grant record. In 2024, the university gave $3,169,951 to Brigham and Womens Hospital Inc in Boston for research subcontracts, and it also funded Massachusetts General Hospital for the same purpose. Higher education research partners are a major part of the portfolio as well: Johns Hopkins University received $2,786,032 in 2024 and the University of Chicago received $2,588,555 in 2024, both listed as research subcontracts. The file also shows support for engineering- and technology-adjacent academic work through large awards to the Regents of the University of California and the University of Illinois. Beyond external research partners, the Big Idea Center runs the Kuzneski Innovation Cup and the Big Idea Competition, which focus on student innovators, early-stage teams, and venture development.
Typical grant size is mid-market for institutional research funding: the 25th percentile is $22,523, the median is $84,295, and the 75th percentile is $360,710. The recent-grants list is dominated by research subcontracts, and several recipients appear in multiple years, including New York University, Carnegie Mellon University, the Regents of the University of California, and Washington University in St Louis. University of Pittsburgh is a regular funder rather than a donor-advised fund. Its active student-facing programs also accept unsolicited participation through the Big Idea Center competitions and workshops.
$149.1M
$10.9B
$3.6B
$3.5B
Most grants fall between $23K and $361K, with a median of $84K.
25th Percentile
$23K
Median
$84K
75th Percentile
$361K
PATRICK D GALLAGHER
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Giving is national, and every grant in the recipient-country distribution is in the US. Pennsylvania receives the largest share of grants by count, and 22% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent awards also reach New York City, Pittsburgh, Oakland, Ann Arbor, and Boston, showing a broad mix of recipient locations. Outside Pennsylvania, Boston appears repeatedly through hospital and university recipients, while Chicago, Baltimore, and Chapel Hill also show up in the recent-grants list.
The recent-grants file is concentrated in universities, hospitals, and other research institutions. Examples include New York University, Carnegie Mellon University, Brigham and Womens Hospital Inc, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Johns Hopkins University. Beneficiary types listed for the foundation also include research institutions, individual researchers or principal investigators, and organizational subcontractors or consultants.
The typical grant size distribution is $22,523 at the 25th percentile, $84,295 at the median, and $360,710 at the 75th percentile. The recent-grants list also includes much larger subcontract awards, with several grants in the multi-million-dollar range.
Yes. The geographic scope is national, and the recipient-country distribution is entirely US-based. Recent grants went to institutions in New York, California, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Massachusetts, Maryland, Indiana, Wisconsin, Delaware, North Carolina, and Ohio, among others.
Yes. Active programs include the Kuzneski Innovation Cup, the Big Idea Advantage Fund, the Big Idea Competition, the Big Idea Blitz, and BIC ChangeMaker / Exploring Innovation. These programs support student innovators, early-stage teams, seed funding, venture creation, and entrepreneurship education.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY | PITTSBURGH, PA | $7,927,252 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA | OAKLAND, CA | $7,469,449 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST LOUIS | CLAYTON, MO | $7,084,326 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $3,933,882 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $3,650,442 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY | COLUMBUS, OH | $2,774,645 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL | BOSTON, MA | $2,760,358 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| INDIANA UNIVERSITY | BLOOMINGTON, IN | $2,745,469 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL | CHAPEL HILL, NC | $2,221,932 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY | BALTIMORE, MD | $2,189,916 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $2,003,803 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | EVANSTON, IL | $1,992,854 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| MAGEE-WOMENS RESEARCH INSTITUTE AND FOUNDATION | PITTSBURGH, PA | $1,955,156 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| HARVARD UNIVERSITY | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $1,920,464 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,845,112 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE | NEWARK, DE | $1,838,467 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM | MADISON, WI | $1,818,387 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| CONSORTIUM FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION | MCKEESPORT, PA | $1,793,919 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| YALE UNIVERSITY | NEW HAVEN, CT | $1,693,888 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| BROAD INSTITUTE INC | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $1,626,971 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY | DURHAM, NC | $1,626,787 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA | GAINESVILLE, FL | $1,565,330 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| HOUSTON METHODIST RESEARCH INSTITUTE | HOUSTON, TX | $1,523,236 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| EMORY UNIVERSITY | ATLANTA, GA | $1,518,721 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| TEMPLE UNIVERSITY OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $1,503,819 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | DENVER, PA | $1,490,009 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY | UNIVERSITY PARK, PA | $1,448,290 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $1,374,000 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,366,543 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| JACKSON LABORATORY | BAR HARBOR, ME | $1,358,991 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON | SEATTLE, WA | $1,354,277 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA | IOWA CITY, IA | $1,321,176 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE | BOSTON, MA | $1,313,505 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| HENRY M JACKSON FOUNDATION | BETHESDA, MD | $1,293,378 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $1,288,489 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE | NEW YORK, NY | $1,250,898 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $1,246,255 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER | FORT WORTH, TX | $1,164,390 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER | ROCHESTER, NY | $1,122,296 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $1,074,182 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| COMMUNITY HUMAN SERVICES CORP | PITTSBURGH, PA | $1,065,629 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY | CLEVELAND, OH | $1,008,617 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | BOSTON, MA | $989,432 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT | BURLINGTON, VT | $975,717 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE | NEW YORK, NY | $964,185 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| THE SPAULDING REHABILITATION HOSPITAL CORPORATION | CHARLESTOWN, MA | $958,845 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY | CLEVELAND, OH | $933,675 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS | DAVIS, CA | $919,943 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS | BOSTON, MA | $905,351 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
| WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY | WINSTONSALEM, NC | $900,416 | 2026 | RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT |
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
$7,469,449RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
$3,933,882RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
$2,760,358RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
INDIANA UNIVERSITY
$2,745,469RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
$2,221,932RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM
$1,818,387RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
$1,565,330RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
HOUSTON METHODIST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
$1,523,236RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
$1,448,290RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
$1,354,277RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
$1,321,176RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
HENRY M JACKSON FOUNDATION
$1,293,378RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
$1,288,489RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO
$1,246,255RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER
$1,164,390RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
$1,122,296RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER
$1,074,182RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
$1,008,617RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT
$975,717RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
$964,185RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
THE SPAULDING REHABILITATION HOSPITAL CORPORATION
$958,845RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY
$933,675RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS
$919,943RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
$905,351RESEARCH- SUBCONTRACT