February 25, 2015

Google Chairman and Wife Donate $5 Million to Institute

google donationEric Schmidt, executive chairman of Google, Inc. and trustee of the Institute for Advanced Study, and Wendy Schmidt, president of the Schmidt Family Foundation, have donated $5 million to support four Members across the Schools of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and support campus programs and promotion.

The Schmidt Fellows will receive support related to all aspects of the academic appointment and community life that are unique and fundamental aspects of the Institute experience. The $5 million gift is a contribution to the Campaign for the Institute, which ends on June 30, 2015 and helps to complete the $100 million campaign challenge, established by the Simons Foundation and the Charles and Lisa Simonyi Fund for Arts and Sciences.

The donation will support the world’s top early-stage talents in mathematics and the natural sciences with the time, space, and conducive environment to push the boundaries of human understanding. Visiting scholars and post-doctoral fellows at the Institute, known as “Members,” are at the heart of the Institute’s mission to encourage and support curiosity-driven research in the sciences and humanities. They are selected from the world’s leading universities and research institutions and spend time at the Institute addressing some of the most intriguing questions across the sciences and humanities, unencumbered by teaching and administrative obligations. The gift to the Institute will also be designated for the purpose of promoting the Institute and its work through the convening of important campus programs designed to draw key audiences, including academics, philanthropists, thought leaders, and media outlets.

“Not only does the Institute bring together academics of the highest level, but it is a symbol for the importance of academic freedom and basic research,” said Robbert Dijkgraaf, director and Leon Levy Professor. “This generous gift from Eric and Wendy allows us the freedom and independence to draw exciting young talent and cultivate programs on campus for existing and new audiences.”