Give to biomedical research on your terms. Set up a donor-directed fund where researchers compete for your support, and you decide which projects get funded!
Many donors want to support biomedical research but have no way to influence which projects get funded. Traditional donations often mean giving money and hoping it’s used effectively. With a donor-directed biomedical research fund, you decide how your contributions are applied. Multiple researchers submit proposals, and you choose which projects align with your interests — giving you direct impact and insight into the science you support.
How Donors Use a Donor-Directed Fund to Guide Research
Step 1 — Set Up Your Fund
Starting your donor-directed fund is simple and focused on your interests in biomedical research. You begin by indicating the areas of research you care about most, such as cancer, regenerative medicine, or neuroscience. These preferences guide researchers as they prepare proposals, ensuring the projects you see are relevant to your goals.
You will set up the fund with your financial institution with the help of a licensed financial advisor. Your fund reflects your priorities, giving you the opportunity to direct your support toward research that matters most to you. You’re not managing investments or legal structures — instead, you’re setting the framework for researchers to propose work that aligns with your values and impact goals.
Throughout this process, our team is here to answer questions and provide guidance about how the process works, helping you understand how your interests translate into research proposals. This ensures your donor-directed fund is aligned with your vision, while remaining simple and fully focused on supporting science.
Step 2 — Researchers Submit Proposals
Biomedical researchers submit detailed project proposals to your fund. Each proposal outlines objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and the potential impact on the field. This competitive approach ensures that you have multiple high-quality options to choose from.
Step 3 — You Choose Which Projects to Fund
Once proposals are submitted, you review them and decide which projects align with your priorities. You control the distribution of funds, ensuring that your donations are applied to the research that matters most to you. Whether you want to support a single project or multiple initiatives, the choice is yours.
Step 4 — Impact and Updates
After funding is allocated, you receive regular updates on the progress of the projects you supported. Reports highlight milestones, preliminary findings, and any adjustments to the research plan. This transparency allows you to track the tangible outcomes of your donations and understand the real-world impact of your investment in science.
Individuals who contribute significant financial support to research are truly distinguished people, especially when their donations are driven by altruistic motives rather than some personal gain. We believe that such philanthropic individuals deserve to be thoroughly informed and recognized for their noble intentions.
Donor are usually approached by fundraising and in the traditional scenario they support research by donating funds with very little (if any) influence on the research efforts. When working with Grantigen, donors gain the insiders’ knowledge of researchers and are more likely to augment the impact of their donation.
Why Donors Use Our Service?
Donors choose this approach because it provides unparalleled power to guide research and also the insight into biomedical research funding:
- Control Over Research: Your contributions fund projects you care about, not just generic initiatives.
- Competitive Research Funding: Multiple researchers compete for your support, encouraging innovative and high-quality proposals.
- Transparency: Receive detailed progress reports and updates on funded projects.
- Flexibility: Allocate funds across several projects or focus on one specific area of research, based on your priorities.
This model transforms donations from a passive act into an active investment in the research you value most.
Example Donor Scenario
Consider a donor passionate about regenerative medicine. They set up a donor-directed fund and received proposals from five research teams, each exploring a different approach. After reviewing the proposals, the donor chose to fund two projects — one investigating tissue engineering and another exploring stem cell therapy. Six months later, they received updates detailing initial results, allowing them to see exactly how their funds were advancing science. This hands-on approach ensures that every dollar is aligned with their personal vision for impact.
FAQs About Donor-Directed Funds
Q: Can I fund multiple research projects?
A: Absolutely. Your fund can support several projects simultaneously, giving you the flexibility to diversify your impact.
Q: How are proposals evaluated?
A: Researchers submit detailed proposals, which our team reviews for scientific quality and alignment with your guidelines. You then make the final decision on funding.
Q: Do I have to pick just one researcher?
A: No — you control how funds are allocated across multiple projects.
Q: Will I receive updates on funded projects?
A: Yes — donors receive regular reports that highlight progress, milestones, and outcomes for the projects they fund.
Get Started with Your Donor-Directed Fund
If you’re ready to direct your biomedical research donations with impact and control, schedule a consultation with our team to discuss your priorities, define guidelines for your fund, and start funding projects that matter to you. With this approach, your contributions become more than a donation — they become an active investment in the future of science.