Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

What Alfred P. Sloan Foundation does

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation is a not-for-profit grantmaking institution founded in 1934 by industrialist Alfred P. Sloan Jr. and headquartered at 630 Fifth Avenue in New York City. The Foundation supports high-quality, impartial scientific research; fosters a robust, diverse scientific workforce; strengthens public understanding of science; and promotes the health of institutions of scientific endeavor. Grantmaking is organized across four main program areas — Research (Economics, Energy and Environment, History of Science and Technology, Matter-to-Life, Sloan Digital Sky Survey, Small-Scale Fundamental Physics), Higher Education, Technology, and Public Understanding of Science & Technology — plus a New York City Program and a portfolio of completed legacy initiatives. Funding is sourced from an endowment rather than commercial revenue, and distributions range from approximately $25,000 for small grants to multi-million-dollar commitments such as the $6,000,000 grant to the Astrophysical Research Consortium for SDSS-V.

Sloan's flagship offerings are its grant programs rather than commercial products. The Sloan Research Fellowship provides two-year $75,000 awards to early-career researchers across seven fields and is among the most prestigious recognitions of its kind, with a record 1,430 nominations for 126 slots in the 2026 cycle. The Sloan Digital Sky Survey operates as shared astronomical research infrastructure with over 40 institutional partners, having produced nearly 10,000 papers and over 500,000 citations historically. Other major programs include a Professional Science Master's initiative (100+ programs at 50+ universities), a Film program (750+ projects since 1996), a Theater program (60+ NYC productions, 250+ commissions), a Book program (200+ authors), and a Science on Screen program at 96 independent cinemas. The Foundation does not develop proprietary technology products; instead, it acts as a funder and convener across academic, cultural, and media ecosystems.

The Foundation's business model is endowment-based grantmaking: it does not sell products or services but distributes capital from its investment portfolio to researchers, institutions, and organizations selected through structured Letters of Inquiry and full grant proposals. Pricing is programmatic, with grant tiers ranging from individual fellowships and book awards to major multi-year infrastructure commitments. Customer segments are highly diversified across academic researchers, universities, museums, independent cinemas, theaters, playwrights, filmmakers, podcast producers, content creators, and public knowledge institutions including Wikipedia and the Digital Public Library of America. Operations are supported by a lean staff of 11–50 program professionals and governed by a Board of Trustees.

Name

Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

Legal name

Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

Website

http://www.sloan.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1934

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation is a New York–based, not-for-profit grantmaking institution founded in 1934 that funds scientific research, STEM higher education, and public understanding of science through endowment-backed grants to researchers, universities, and cultural organizations across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Research Grants and Scientific Philanthropy

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

Keywords

• Scientific research grants
• Science philanthropy funding
• Research fellowships program
• STEM higher education
• Public science engagement

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Endowment-based Grantmaking: The Foundation operates as a not-for-profit grantmaking institution that distributes funds from its endowment to support scientific research, education, and public understanding of science. The Foundation does not generate commercial revenue but distributes grants to researchers, institutions, and organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation is a not-for-profit grantmaking institution that distributes funds from its endowment to support high-quality, impartial scientific research; foster a diverse scientific workforce; strengthen public understanding of and engagement with science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and economics; and promote the health of institutions of scientific endeavor. Its offerings include the Sloan Research Fellowships (two-year, $75,000 awards to early-career researchers), targeted research grants across multiple disciplines, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, higher education pathway programs, technology and open-source science grants, and a portfolio of public understanding grants covering books, film, theater, radio, television, and digital media.

Product overview

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation is a not-for-profit grantmaking institution founded in 1934 by industrialist Alfred P. Sloan Jr. The Foundation's 'products' are its grantmaking programs and initiatives rather than commercial offerings. Its portfolio includes Sloan Research Fellowships (prestigious early-career researcher awards), Research Programs (supporting Economics, Energy and Environment, History of Science and Technology, Matter-to-Life, Sloan Digital Sky Survey, and Small-Scale Fundamental Physics), Higher Education Programs (expanding STEM access), Technology Programs (supporting open source in science, scientific collaboration, and exploratory technology), and Public Understanding Programs (supporting science communication through books, film, radio, television, theater, and social media). The Foundation also funds the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, a major astronomical research infrastructure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS): One of the largest astronomical surveys, supporting all-sky spectroscopic observation program mapping the night sky
• Sloan Research Fellowships
• Special Initiatives

Products and services

• Sloan Research Fellowships Two-year fellowships honoring outstanding early-career researchers in seven fields (chemistry, computer science, economics, mathematics, molecular biology, neuroscience, ocean sciences, physics, and related disciplines), providing $75,000 to each fellow. One of the most prestigious and sought-after awards for young scholars, with past fellows having gone on to win Nobel Prizes, Fields Medals, and Turing Awards.
• Research Programs Grantmaking across scientific research disciplines including Economics, Energy and Environment, History of Science and Technology, Matter-to-Life, and Small-Scale Fundamental Physics. Provides project-specific research grants typically ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 for individual research projects.
• Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) One of the largest and most detailed astronomical surveys, supporting an all-sky spectroscopic observation program mapping the night sky through telescopes in New Mexico and Chile. Includes over 40 contributing institutional partners and has produced nearly 10,000 papers with over 500,000 citations over its history. Data is released publicly under open use principles.
• Higher Education Program Programs expanding fair access and opportunity in STEM higher education including University Centers of Exemplary Mentoring, Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership, and Exemplary Pathways to STEM Graduate Education. Supports systemic institutional change to broaden the STEM professoriate and widen pathways for underrepresented students.
• Technology Programs Grantmaking supporting technology benefiting the research community, including Exploratory Grantmaking in Technology, Open Source in Science, and Scientific Collaboration. Funds virtual conferences, group dynamics research, human-AI collaboration tools, and open source scientific software sustainability through partners such as NumFOCUS.
• Public Understanding of Science & Technology Multifaceted program building bridges between science and humanities through Books, Film, New Media, Radio, Television, Theater, and YouTube and TikTok. Has supported over 200 authors since 1996, over 750 film projects since 1996, and over 60 plays staged in NYC alone.
• New York City Program Program supporting New York City's scientific and educational institutions, including administration of the Sloan Public Service Award in partnership with the Fund for the City of New York.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 10,000 papers with over 500,000 citations produced from SDSS data over its history
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

41 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HHMI Tangled Bank StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Co-founding partner in the 50x50: Science Across America initiative, pairing 50 YouTube creators with 50 scientists across all 50 US states to produce 50 original videos over 10 weeks in 2026, coinciding with America's 250th anniversary.
• Winn Family FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Funding partner in the 50x50: Science Across America initiative supporting science media content creation across all 50 states.
• Shanahan Family FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Funding partner in the 50x50: Science Across America initiative supporting science media content creation across all 50 states.
• Allen InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Funding partner in the 50x50: Science Across America initiative supporting science media content creation across all 50 states.
• The Brinson FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Funding partner in the 50x50: Science Across America initiative supporting science media content creation across all 50 states.
• Carnegie ObservatoriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in SDSS-V conducting full set of observations across both hemispheres using the Irenee du Pont Telescope at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile.
• American Film InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term film school partner offering screenwriting, production, and tuition awards for science-themed film projects.
• UCLA School of Theater, Film and TelevisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term film school partner offering screenwriting and production awards for science-themed film projects.
• Carnegie Mellon University School of DramacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term film school partner offering screenwriting awards for science-themed film projects.
• Columbia University School of the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term film school partner for science-themed film development.
• NYU Tisch School of the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term film school partner offering screenwriting, production, and feature film awards for science-themed projects.
• USC School of Cinematic ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term film school partner offering screenwriting, production, and animation awards for science-themed projects.
• Sundance InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival partner for science-in-film initiatives including feature film prizes and filmmaker development programs.
• SFFILMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival partner offering Science in Cinema filmmaker fellowship and science film awards including Science in Cinema Prize.
• Toronto International Film FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival partner supporting two-year science and technology film program including screenwriting fellowships, project pitches, and science panels.
• The Black ListcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScreenwriting development partner connecting science-themed screenwriters with industry opportunities.
• Film IndependentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilm development partner offering grants and awards for science and technology themed film projects.
• Athena Film FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival partner supporting women filmmakers tackling science and technology themes.
• Coolidge Corner Theater FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead partner for national Science on Screen program, now expanded to 96 independent cinemas showing Sloan-supported films with researcher presentations.
• Museum of the Moving ImagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for science and film educational resources, including Teacher's Guide and web content hub at scienceandfilm.org.
• Science and Entertainment ExchangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatform connecting film industry professionals with working scientists for science content consultation.
• Academy Museum of Motion PicturescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for screenings, filmmaker discussions, and public programs focused on science and technology of motion pictures.
• Ensemble Studio TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary NYC theater partner for science-themed play commissions, development, and production since program's inception.
• Manhattan Theatre ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary NYC theater partner for science-themed play commissions, development, and production including Tony-nominated 'Eureka Day'.
• National Theatre, LondonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPilot grant recipient for science-themed theater productions, expanding the program internationally.
• LA Theatre WorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for recording science-themed plays with A-list actors, broadcasting on public radio, and distributing to schools and libraries.
• Science FridaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partner for science radio programming including broadcasts, digital videos, blog posts, live events, and associated media.
• RadiolabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for science podcast revolution, supporting original high-quality science storytelling.
• GastropodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for food science podcast exploring food through lens of science and history.
• Planet MoneycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for NPR ground-breaking economics podcast series.
• WikipediacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported since 2008, Wikipedia is the fifth largest website in the world and a key platform for universal access to knowledge.
• Digital Public Library of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in nation's first digital library initiative for public access to cultural heritage materials.
• Consumer ReportscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for unbiased ratings and reviews, digital lab fellows program, and science-based product testing content.
• Scholar Rescue FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing fellowships for scholars whose lives and work are threatened in their home countries.
• Resources for the FuturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leader of Resilient Energy Economies (REE) initiative alongside Columbia University SIPA, University of Notre Dame, and Montana State University, funding research on fossil fuel-dependent communities.
• University of Notre DamecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leader of Resilient Energy Economies (REE) initiative funding research on fossil fuel-dependent communities.
• Montana State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leader of Resilient Energy Economies (REE) initiative funding research on fossil fuel-dependent communities.
• Research Corporation for Science AdvancementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Scialog: Sustainable Minerals, Metals and Materials initiative supporting cross-disciplinary research on critical materials sustainability.
• Kavli FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Scialog initiative supporting cross-disciplinary research on critical materials sustainability.
• ACME CollaborationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExperimental collaboration attempting to detect new particles through measuring electron's electric dipole moment, supported through eEDM Initiative.
• NumFOCUScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting open source scientific software ecosystem and sustainability initiatives.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Howard Hughes Medical Institute: HHMI is one of the largest US science philanthropies, funding biomedical research and science education. It is a natural peer to Sloan given its scale and similar focus on basic scientific research and workforce development, though HHMI has a much larger endowment and broader biomedical focus.
• Wellcome Trust: Wellcome is one of the world's largest science-focused philanthropic foundations, with a much larger endowment. It is a broad incumbent peer given its global scale, biomedical research focus, and emphasis on public engagement with science.

Direct peers

• Simons Foundation: The Simons Foundation supports mathematics, basic sciences, and autism research. It is a direct peer given overlapping focus on basic scientific research, particularly in physics and mathematics, and co-funds initiatives like SDSS-V with Sloan.
• Kavli Foundation: The Kavli Foundation funds basic scientific research in astrophysics, nanoscience, neuroscience, and theoretical physics. It is a direct peer given the shared emphasis on fundamental science, and partners with Sloan in the Four Foundations physics collaboration and Scialog.
• Heising-Simons Foundation: Heising-Simons Foundation funds science, education, and climate-related initiatives. It is a direct peer and active co-funder with Sloan on SDSS-V and the 50x50: Science Across America initiative.
• Research Corporation for Science Advancement: RCSA is a foundational science funder focused on early-career researchers and Scialog initiatives. It is a direct peer given its similar emphasis on curiosity-driven research and is a confirmed Scialog partner with Sloan.
• John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation: MacArthur Foundation is a major US private foundation funding research, education, and public engagement. It is a direct peer given its comparable portfolio of science grantmaking, fellowship programs (MacArthur Fellows), and emphasis on public understanding.
• Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation: The Moore Foundation funds science, environmental conservation, and patient care improvement. It is a direct peer given overlapping focus on fundamental science, environmental research, and the multi-program structure mirroring Sloan's portfolio.
• William and Flora Hewlett Foundation: The Hewlett Foundation funds education, environment, and performing arts. It is a direct peer given comparable focus on education, science policy, and significant grantmaking scale, though with a broader mission profile than Sloan.
• Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation: The Beckman Foundation supports fundamental chemical and life science research, particularly through early-career awards. It is a direct peer given overlapping focus on young investigator programs in basic scientific disciplines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SloanFoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/sloanfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments256 records

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Frequently asked questions about Alfred P. Sloan Foundation