SciFund Challenge

SciFund Challenge is a U.S. nonprofit organization with the Employer Identification Number (EIN) 465656916. It is recognized as a tax-exempt charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code[4].

Mission and Objectives

SciFund Challenge aims to bridge the gap between science and society by empowering scientists to connect their research with the broader public. The organization achieves this through community-based programs that focus on improving science communication skills, facilitating science crowdfunding campaigns, and promoting collaborative efforts among scientists[1][3].

Activities and Programs

SciFund Challenge provides training for scientists to enhance their communication skills, including creating science videos and improving presentations. These training programs are designed to bring scientists together, accelerating the pace of their development[3].

A key initiative is the facilitation of science crowdfunding campaigns. By emphasizing the importance of engaging with audiences, SciFund Challenge has coached over 200 scientists to collectively raise more than $200,000 through crowdfunding efforts[3].

Additionally, the organization manages a network of blogs where scientists can share their research and outreach activities. This platform allows scientists to connect with their audience and promote a more science-engaged world[3].

Historical Context and Impact

One of the notable initiatives organized by SciFund Challenge is a comprehensive study on crowdfunding for scientific research. Led by researchers Jarrett Byrnes and Jai Ranganathan, this study involved organizing nearly 200 researchers to run 159 science crowdfunding projects. The findings highlighted the importance of building and engaging with an audience before and during crowdfunding to achieve success[2]. The largest amount raised by a single project in this challenge was $10,000, with an average of about $2,000 per project[2].

SciFund Challenge continues to play a significant role in promoting science engagement and funding through its innovative approaches and community-driven initiatives.