Multimillion-Dollar Grant from the Packard Foundation
Science is US Receives Multimillion-Dollar Grant from the Packard Foundation to Promote Value of Science and Engineering in Public Policy Development
Washington, DC (March 31, 2022) – The David and Lucile Packard Foundation has awarded $4,000,000 to Science is US for ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between the scientific and engineering communities and public policy makers through 2024. The innovative project was the subject of a recent Packard Foundation online feature.
“Support from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation has been transformative for Science is US since the start of our work,” said Rachel Kerestes, Executive Director of Science is US. “This latest grant will enable Science is US to build on our success to date, help to grow and scale our programs and continue that momentum in partnership with allies around the country.”
Science is US was created in 2018 with support from the Packard Foundation to advocate for the inclusion of science and engineering in the development of public policies. The Packard Foundation previously awarded grants totaling $5,900,000 for programmatic and organizational effectiveness.
Science is US began by conducting in-depth research to understand how elected officials value science and engineering and what would motivate them to increase their support for and use of science.
After quantifying the vast economic impact of careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related fields and finding that six out of ten U.S. STEM professionals do not hold a bachelor’s degree, Science is US began an education initiative to highlight that science and engineering are paramount to the success of the nation’s economy and offer a variety of pathways to individual prosperity.
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About Science is US
Science is US is a foundation-supported effort that brings together a diverse group of science, engineering, industry, higher education and labor organizations to galvanize a broad, bipartisan political base of support for science and technology.