Simons Foundation
The Simons Foundation
We’re a philanthropic organization dedicated to advancing the frontiers of math and basic science through grantmaking, in-house research and public engagement.
What We Do
Investing in Discovery
Public Engagement
Accelerating Discovery
About Us
Discoveries
Solved, Unsolved and Unsolvable: The Status of Hilbert’s 23 Problems in Mathematics
More than a century after David Hilbert presented a list of 23 mathematical challenges to the 1900 International Congress of Mathematicians, mathematicians have made significant progress, but there’s still much work to do.
How Flatiron Institute Mathematicians Helped Make AI More Efficient
The Muon optimizer, a community effort including scientists at the Simons Foundation’s Flatiron Institute, is poised to be the new standard in AI training efficiency.
Quantum Effects Go Macro: Collaboration Unravels the Ultra-Quantum Realm
After seven years, the researchers behind the Simons Collaboration on Ultra-Quantum Matter reflect on their progress in understanding systems that display quantum properties at large scales.
Featured Funding
Supports junior HBCU faculty with protected research time to advance their work, pursue grants and publications, build collaborations, and create pathways for students into graduate STEM programs.
Apply by November 12, 2026
Simons Postdoctoral Fellowships in Plant Biology – Request for Applications 2027
Funding OpportunityThese postdoctoral fellowships support candidates who intend to pursue a career in basic research on fundamental problems in plant biology. This program aims to support researchers seeking to understand the inner workings of plants at the level of the whole organism or below.
Apply by December 3, 2026
Fellows-to-Faculty – 2027 Request for Applications
Funding OpportunityThe Fellows-to-Faculty Award program supports talented early career scientists by facilitating their transition into tenure-track faculty positions. The focus of this program is the $600,000 USD three (3) year faculty research grant.
Apply by January 13, 2027
Scientific Software Research Faculty Award – Request for Applications 2027–2028
Funding OpportunityThe MPS division invites applications for the Scientific Software Research Faculty Award, which supports new research professor positions in existing academic departments to be filled by scientific software-focused researchers no later than September 1, 2027.
Apply by January 21, 2027
At a Glance
$312 Million
In annual grantmaking
250+
Scientists at the Flatiron Institute
49
U.S. states in which we provide funding
2,750
Grants and gifts awarded annually
310
Scientific events hosted in 2025
32
Years of impact
In-House Research
The Flatiron Institute is the Simons Foundation’s internal center for computational science research.
Stories of Impact : Sound + Science
Sound + Science uses music production to make STEM concepts engaging and accessible through mentorship and exploration. In this video, theoretical physicist Stephon Alexander explains how the organization creates an inclusive environment that helps people—especially those underrepresented in STEM—build lasting connections with science.
Upcoming Events
October 14, 2026
6–7 p.m. ET
Speaker
Shep Doeleman
The Making of “Wild Inside”
In ConversationOctober 16, 2026
6–8 p.m. ET
Speakers
Penny Lane, Jessica Harrop
October 21, 2026
6–7 p.m. ET
Speaker
Sonya Hanson
A Universe of Grief
In ConversationNovember 20, 2026
6–8 p.m. ET
Speakers
Amy Secunda, Ain Gordon, Neha Shastry, John Tracey
