# Funding Opportunities

**Source**: https://biology.mit.edu/support-biology/funding-opportunities/
**Parent**: https://biology.mit.edu/support-biology/

## Current needs

There are a variety of ways you can support MIT Biology, but gifts to the Discretionary Fund and the Graduate Support Fund provide the department with crucial flexibility in using your gift to  ensure we maintain high standards of excellence among our faculty, facilities, students, and research.

> “What makes the life sciences at MIT so extraordinary is their ability to transfer knowledge and inventions to society for its benefit. They help everyone, and now they need our help.”\
> **Paul Schimmel Ph.D. ’67, Founder of GTI and Cleo & Paul Schimmel Scholars**

[Biology Discretionary Fund](https://giving.mit.edu/explore/schools/science/biology) 3838900

Provides immediate and flexible support for the Department of Biology, enabling it to seize unexpected opportunities and meet its most critical needs.

[Biology Graduate Support Fund](https://giving.mit.edu/explore/schools/science/biology) 2740100

Provides resources for the department’s Graduate Training Initiative, enhancing the graduate student experience in a time of shrinking federal support for research training.

### Other select department funds

For a full list of funds, visit the [Giving website](https://giving.mit.edu/explore/schools/science/biology)

### Frank Solomon Biology Student Aid Fund 2733731

Provides assistance with expenses for graduate student travel and helps defray the costs of conferences, special seminars, speakers, receptions, and other key components of graduate student life. Learn more about 

### Gene Brown Fund 3839399

Gifts from alumni/ae and friends to support undergraduate education in the Department of Biology in honor of [Professor Gene Brown](http://news.mit.edu/2017/gene-brown-professor-emeritus-biology-dies-0818)

### Biology Graduate Student Events Fund 2892801

Provides opportunities for students to interact both socially and intellectually with faculty and their peers as they pursue their research careers

> “I chose MIT Biology for two reasons: the department was committed to helping students succeed both as scientists and in life, and they promoted a strong network of support and collaboration between students. I would like to thank Paul and Cleo Schimmel for their generous support — overall, MIT Biology is a great place to be a graduate student.”\
> **Natalie Heer PhD ’18, Schimmel Scholar**

## 

## Ways of Giving

We offer a diverse array of giving options and philanthropic/financial vehicles for our donors, and welcome contributions via credit card, check, wire transfer, and other venues. Your support is vital to the continued success of the department, and we hope you will make a gift today.

You can make a contribution on the MIT Giving website using:

- [Credit card](https://giving.mit.edu/credit-card)
- [Check](https://giving.mit.edu/check)
- [Wire Transfer](https://giving.mit.edu/wire-transfers)
- [Stock](https://giving.mit.edu/stock)
- [Mutual Fund transfers](https://giving.mit.edu/mutual-fund-transfers)
- [Donor Advised Funds](https://giving.mit.edu/donor-advised-funds)
- [Memorial and Honorary Gifts](https://giving.mit.edu/memorial-honorary-gifts)

Please make note of the name and number of the Biology fund you wish to support.

> “I cannot explain how gratifying it is to watch students with such incredible backstories go on to such successful careers. In this case, the giver may actually be the greatest beneficiary.”\
> **Mike Gould, Founder of the Bernard S. and Sophie G. Gould Fund**

Our Director of Development, Dooyon Cho, is available [by email](mailto:dooyon@mit.edu) or phone (617-258-5248) to assist with:

- Additional information about making a contribution
- Other forms of giving such as wills, estates, or trusts
- Supporting sponsored research\