The William F. Milton Fund, established in 1924, is one of the oldest bequests made to Harvard University. Funding research projects in the fields of medicine, geography, history and science, the winning projects must either promote the physical and material welfare and prosperity of the human race, or investigate and determine the value and importance of any discovery or invention, or assist in the discovery and perfecting of any special means of alleviating or curing human disease.
For this funding cycle, with awards made for academic year 2025 (AY25), a second track of applications is invited, designed to encourage the exploration and application of generative AI (GenAI) in research settings. Applicants are invited to propose research projects with a GenAI component, as applicable to the priorities of the Milton Fund, for new work, or a new initiative. Please note that proposals leveraging traditional AI, versus Generative AI, should be submitted via the Milton general track.
Applicants will be asked to select the general Milton Fund application track, or the GenAI-focused track, in submitting their applications. An application may be submitted to each track, but they must be completely distinct proposals.
Applications for the 2024 award cycle opened on January 31, 2024 and closed on April 1, 2024. Awards will be made in July of 2024.
Please contact vpr_grants@harvard.edu with questions.
Applications to the Milton General and Milton GenAI opportunities are no longer being accepted.
A list of 2023 awardees is available here