Grant funders / Kentucky / Scientific Research
Scientific Research Grant Funders in Kentucky
42 foundations with a documented scientific research focus have made grants to Kentucky nonprofits in recent years, together directing $21.1M to organizations across the state. Below are the most active — every funder links to a full giving profile, and Bespoke Grants will match all 42 against your nonprofit's specific mission, for free.
42
Scientific research funders
$21.1M
Given to Kentucky nonprofits
177
Grants on record
2025
Most recent giving
Most active scientific research funders in Kentucky
| # | Funder | Based in | Total Kentucky giving | Grants | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Kentucky Markey | Kentucky | $9.7M | 7 | 2024 |
| 2 | American Cancer Society Inc | Georgia | $4.0M | 7 | 2023 |
| 3 | Association of Universities for Research | District of Columbia | $1.4M | 13 | 2024 |
| 4 | Wings for Life USA - Spinal Cord Research Foundation Inc | California | $1.1M | 6 | 2024 |
| 5 | American Psychiatric Association | District of Columbia | $625K | 2 | 2019 |
| 6 | Amanda W Lockey Foundation | Mississippi | $500K | 2 | 2019 |
| 7 | Seattle Children's Hospital | Washington | $465K | 9 | 2024 |
| 8 | William Bartram and Eloise Williams | Kentucky | $455K | 18 | 2024 |
| 9 | National Academy of Sciences | District of Columbia | $360K | 7 | 2024 |
| 10 | Denver Research Institute | Colorado | $308K | 4 | 2023 |
| 11 | Eleanor and Raymond Loyd Family | Kentucky | $283K | 4 | 2024 |
| 12 | Hyundai Hope On Wheels | California | $200K | 2 | 2024 |
| 13 | Knights Templar Eye Foundation | Texas | $180K | 3 | 2025 |
| 14 | Nell a Adams Charitable Foundation | Kentucky | $178K | 5 | 2025 |
| 15 | Neurosurgery Research and Education | Illinois | $165K | 2 | 2023 |
This list is ranked by size. Yours should be ranked by fit.
The funders above are the biggest scientific research funders in Kentucky — not necessarily the right ones for you. Bespoke Grants ranks all 42 against your nonprofit's actual mission, service area, and budget, and shows you why each one matches. Free, no credit card.
Rank these funders for my nonprofit →Scientific Research funders in other states
Other causes funded in Kentucky
How this list is built. Bespoke Grants indexes 13M+ grants from public IRS Form 990 filings. This page shows foundations whose giving carries a documented scientific research focus and that have funded Kentucky nonprofits. Giving figures reflect each funder's total recent grants to Kentucky recipients. IRS data publishes on a 1–2 year lag; figures are current through the most recent available filings.