Back to FAQ for FQXi
Who might receive FQXi grants?
Any researcher or outreach specialist working at a non-profit institution is eligible for FQXi funds.
----------------------------------------------------
Doesn't the non-profit requirement effectively rule out researchers doing work at corporations? What about at government labs? What about those completely outside of the usual funding systems for science?
The legal status of FQXi requires that our grants be awarded only to non-profit organizations, such as universities and US government agencies. Thus, at this time, we cannot fund researchers at corporations, nor individuals not affiliated with a non-profit organization. In most cases, we believe that this requirement is not overly onerous, because nearly all researchers in the fields FQXi supports have (or can create) an academic or non-profit affiliation. For example, the recent work of A. Garrett Lisi was facilitated by the non-profit organization Fractured Atlas. However, we are aware that this tax requirement may occasionally and unfortunately exclude exceptional individual(s) working outside the mainstream, and we are working to rectify this issue. Your input is welcomed here.
Back to Top
Does FQXi support scientists doing "philosophical" or "metaphysical" research? Isn't this a waste of time?
Yes, we do, and no, it's not.
Many giants of modern science—Einstein, Bohr, Schroedinger, Pauli—were passionately concerned with, and inspired by, the philosophical implications of the novel notions of reality they were engaging. Moreover, their bold discoveries expanded rigorous science to encompass many previously "speculative" or "philosophical" matters.
With this history in mind, we at FQXi believe that deeply examining the metaphysical or philosophical foundations of certain scientific questions is better than pretending that they do not exist. Thus, we happily fund research that some would pejoratively refer to as "philosophical" or "metaphysical," as long as it clearly and directly connects to scientific questions within the FQXi purview.
Back to Top
Does FQXi support full-time research?
Because of the unconventional nature of the FQXi mission, and concerns that such work may negatively influence promotion and tenure decisions, we normally fund only part-time work (15% to 40%), in parallel with the scientist's usual research, rather than full-time appointments or studentships.
Back to Top
The dearth of research into "foundational questions" is not for lack of money, but fear of degree or tenure denial. For example, many academics turn to philosophical and speculative topics after tenure.
At every stage of an academic career, challenges loom: earning a degree, landing a postdoctoral fellowship or a faculty position, receiving tenure, and even finding time to do some actual research. FQXi is sensitive to—and realistic regarding—the possible adverse effects that performing foundational research may have on some academic researchers, especially those early in their career.
On the other hand, requiring foundational thinkers to conceal their interests until tenure is desirable neither for the individual nor society: It results in an unsavory level of professional plotting, and disconnects the finest minds in science, at their prime, from compelling research. By supporting part-time foundational research, FQXi hopes to minimize negative occupational hazards, while maximizing the career validation bestowed by a highly competitive grant.
Back to Top
Who might receive FQXi grants?
Any researcher or outreach specialist working at a non-profit institution is eligible for FQXi funds.
- Doesn't the non-profit requirement effectively rule out researchers doing work at corporations? What about at government labs? What about those completely outside of the usual funding systems for science?
- Does FQXi support scientists doing "philosophical" or "metaphysical" research? Isn't this a waste of time?
- Does FQXi support full-time research?
- The dearth of research into "foundational questions" is not for lack of money, but fear of degree or tenure denial. For example, many academics turn to philosophical and speculative topics after tenure.
Doesn't the non-profit requirement effectively rule out researchers doing work at corporations? What about at government labs? What about those completely outside of the usual funding systems for science?
The legal status of FQXi requires that our grants be awarded only to non-profit organizations, such as universities and US government agencies. Thus, at this time, we cannot fund researchers at corporations, nor individuals not affiliated with a non-profit organization. In most cases, we believe that this requirement is not overly onerous, because nearly all researchers in the fields FQXi supports have (or can create) an academic or non-profit affiliation. For example, the recent work of A. Garrett Lisi was facilitated by the non-profit organization Fractured Atlas. However, we are aware that this tax requirement may occasionally and unfortunately exclude exceptional individual(s) working outside the mainstream, and we are working to rectify this issue. Your input is welcomed here.
Back to Top
Does FQXi support scientists doing "philosophical" or "metaphysical" research? Isn't this a waste of time?
Yes, we do, and no, it's not.
Many giants of modern science—Einstein, Bohr, Schroedinger, Pauli—were passionately concerned with, and inspired by, the philosophical implications of the novel notions of reality they were engaging. Moreover, their bold discoveries expanded rigorous science to encompass many previously "speculative" or "philosophical" matters.
With this history in mind, we at FQXi believe that deeply examining the metaphysical or philosophical foundations of certain scientific questions is better than pretending that they do not exist. Thus, we happily fund research that some would pejoratively refer to as "philosophical" or "metaphysical," as long as it clearly and directly connects to scientific questions within the FQXi purview.
Back to Top
Does FQXi support full-time research?
Because of the unconventional nature of the FQXi mission, and concerns that such work may negatively influence promotion and tenure decisions, we normally fund only part-time work (15% to 40%), in parallel with the scientist's usual research, rather than full-time appointments or studentships.
Back to Top
The dearth of research into "foundational questions" is not for lack of money, but fear of degree or tenure denial. For example, many academics turn to philosophical and speculative topics after tenure.
At every stage of an academic career, challenges loom: earning a degree, landing a postdoctoral fellowship or a faculty position, receiving tenure, and even finding time to do some actual research. FQXi is sensitive to—and realistic regarding—the possible adverse effects that performing foundational research may have on some academic researchers, especially those early in their career.
On the other hand, requiring foundational thinkers to conceal their interests until tenure is desirable neither for the individual nor society: It results in an unsavory level of professional plotting, and disconnects the finest minds in science, at their prime, from compelling research. By supporting part-time foundational research, FQXi hopes to minimize negative occupational hazards, while maximizing the career validation bestowed by a highly competitive grant.
Back to Top