Coordinated Research Programs — Renaissance Philanthropy – A brighter future for all through science, technology, and innovation

Renaissance Philanthropy – A brighter future for all through science, technology, and innovation

Renaissance Philanthropy is a nonprofit that designs, incubates, and manages time-bound, thesis-driven philanthropic funds for science, technology, and innovation. Led by Tom Kalil and Kumar Garg, the organization has catalyzed $533M in philanthropic capital since 2024.

UK Horizons: FRC — Renaissance Philanthropy – A brighter future for all through science, technology, and innovation

Successful coordinated research programmes, like those at ARPAs, have often resulted from exceptional contractors. Many of the best contractors leveraged organisational models uncommon in academia or VC-funded startups. They combined technical ambition, a willingness to build real technology for actual users, and flexible management structures all under one roof to tackle ambitious R&D problems which made the programs a success. These organisations were driven by the pursuit of an ambitious North Star technical vision, not revenue-maximisation. And they pursued this vision with a mix of contracts and grants. We call organisations that do this Frontier Research Contractors (FRCs). Two of ARPA’s most impactful  programmes, the original internet and autonomous vehicle projects, were both led by FRCs. FRCs are also often referred to as 'BBNs' by researchers, inspired by the early internet (ARPAnet) contractor, Bolt, Beranek & Newman.

Introducing the Inaugural EU Cohort of the Big if True Science Accelerator — Renaissance Philanthropy – A brighter future for all through science, technology, and innovation (V2)

In June, we announced our partnership with SPRIND, Germany's Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation, to identify and develop the next generation of leaders to design new R&D challenges and other kinds of coordinated research programs to tackle humanity's most pressing challenges. La

Big if True Science Accelerator — Renaissance Philanthropy – A brighter future for all through science, technology, and innovation

A part-time accelerator for scientists and technologists to design and pitch ambitious R&D programs. Meet our cohorts here.

Philanthropy 2.0: What the Evolution of For-Profit Investment Tells Us About the Future of Giving

Gaps in philanthropic funding for era-defining science and discovery demand a new approach. In this piece, we look at how learning from venture capital is a game changer for catalytic philanthropy.

Philanthropy 2.0: What the Evolution of For-Profit Investment Tells Us About the Future of Giving

Gaps in philanthropic funding for era-defining science and discovery demand a new approach. In this piece, we look at how learning from venture capital is a game changer for catalytic philanthropy.

Charting AI’s Role in Scientific Discovery — Renaissance Philanthropy – A brighter future for all through science, technology, and innovation

Renaissance Philanthropy, with support from Google.org , is conducting a landscape study of AI integration in scientific research — and we want your perspective.

Connecting Research with Community - Civic Innovation Lab

Welcome to Civic Innovation Lab, where we drive social impact through collaborative solutions and empower communities. Join us in fostering sustainable development, co-creating initiatives, and advancing inclusive governance for a better future.

Nova Scotia’s Experiment in Research That Solves Real Problems

Locally focused research investments enable coalitions of scientists and citizens to serve community needs.

Nova Scotia’s Experiment in Research That Solves Real Problems

Locally focused research investments enable coalitions of scientists and citizens to serve community needs.

The Race to Allocate One Trillion Dollars in Philanthropic Capital

Frontier Lab IPOs are coming, and philanthropy isn’t ready

Meet the Big if True Science Accelerator Americas Cohort — Renaissance Philanthropy – A brighter future for all through science, technology, and innovation

Renaissance Philanthropy’s Big if True Science (BiTS) Accelerator has launched our Americas cohort, with support from Coefficient Giving . After a highly competitive international selection process, we're delighted to introduce the 14 exceptional scientists and innovators in this cohort. Selecte

The voice for philanthropy working together | PFC

We are Canada’s national philanthropic network for grantmakers, working towards a more just, equitable and sustainable world.