Bayer Foundations
/OVERVIEW: The Bayer Foundations, consisting of the Bayer Cares Foundation and Bayer Science and Education Foundation, give broadly to STEM education, social innovation and rapid response efforts for worldwide disasters.
IP TAKE: The Bayer Foundations tend to prioritize organizations with which they have established relationships; however, they also fund a small number of projects suggested by its employees, whether the foundation has had a relationship with the organization or not. Grantseekers should also note that some of its awards are only available in German-speaking countries.
PROFILE: In 2007, international pharmaceutical giant Bayer restructured its philanthropic efforts into the Bayer Foundations, consisting of the Bayer Cares Foundation and the Bayer Science and Education Foundation. Bayer proudly claims that its charitable giving dates back to an 1883 research grant from the founder’s heir to a young chemist. Throughout the 20th century, Bayer Group has been committed to “promoting the sciences with a systematic approach that comprises both financial and conceptual support.” Since the 2007 restructuring, the Bayer Science and Education Foundation continues to support its interest in scientific advancement, while the Bayer Cares Foundation supports programs that address complex social issues and emergency humanitarian relief.
Grants for STEM Education and Science Research
The Bayer Foundations support a number of awards and programs aimed at furthering the advancement of scientific research. Its Science Awards include the Hansen Family Award for basic medical research, the Otto Bayer Award for distinguished scientists in the fields of chemistry and biochemistry.
The Bayer Foundations’ International Fellowship Program consists of five annual scholarships in the fields of life sciences, medicine, agro sciences, biology and chemistry education, and professional apprenticeships. Award recipients must be pursuing an international education, meaning they are German citizens attending universities abroad, or foreign students in Germany. Bayer’s Postdoctoral Fellowships are aimed at helping recent Ph.D. graduates further their research and career prospects. The Bayer Lindau Fellowship invites a select group of researchers to attend the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings, while the Bayer Young Physician Leaders Program provides support for young researchers to attend the World Health Summit and meet with influential Bayer research experts.
Finally, Bayer’s Science@School program provides support to school teachers in areas where Bayer has a corporate presence by offering funding and resources to “make their science classes more interesting via innovative projects. For example, the Humboldt Bayer Mobil is a 14-meter truck converted into a mobile science museum that tours around to local schools.
Grants for Humanitarian Relief
The Bayer Cares Foundation’s Disaster Relief giving maintains a rapid response approach to natural disasters, while also supports a long-term perspective. It does so by supporting sustainable relief efforts to rebuild infrastructure, such as “the construction of new homes, health centers or educational facilities” in affected regions, and ensuring that “needed aid and medications are available.” The Bayer Cares Foundation also earmarks a portion of its giving for post-disaster reconstruction projects and for educational projects that address sustainability concerns. In a typical year, the foundation responds to less than a handful of major disasters around the world, and a portion of that aid comes in the form of providing medicines to the affected areas. Bayer tends to prioritize funding large NGOs and those with which it has had a past relationship such as the American Red Cross and Save the Children. To date, the foundation has also supported a number of relief efforts in response to natural disasters including Hurricane Sandy in the U.S., the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, and earthquakes in Nepal.
Important Grant Details:
Grants generally range from $50,000 to $200,000. While the Bayer Foundations may support programs and organizations all over the world, it strongly prioritizes efforts based around areas where Bayer has a corporate or manufacturing presence, and some of its awards and programs are only available in Germany and German-speaking regions.
The Bayer Foundations generally accept applications online for their fellowships, research grants, and educational programs. However, in light of the recent coronavirus crisis, many of its grantmaking efforts have been suspended indefinitely.
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