Simons Foundation Fills Mathematics Funding Gap

Inside Philanthropy notes that two of this year's four Fields Medal winners are grantees of the Simons Foundation.

Manjul Bhargava and Maryam Mirzakhani are recipients of the Simons Investigators awards, which provide stable, ongoing funding for researchers working on fundamental questions in mathematics, physics, and computer science.

"We write a lot about the Simons Foundation these days," writes Tate Williamns, "and for good reason."

It’s one of the most influential funders out there in basic science research, and its focus on theoretical work (i.e., no profitable or defense-related outcomes needed) is filling a gap, particularly in mathematics.