The Carnegie Institution for Science is dedicated to scientific discovery and supporting exceptional individuals in an atmosphere of independence. Promoting scientific discovery & supporting exceptional individuals in an atmosphere of independence. The Institution's purpose, as conceived by Andrew Carnegie, is to "encourage, in the broadest and most liberal manner, investigation, research, and discovery, and the application of knowledge to the improvement of mankind." The Carnegie Institution is devoted to addressing fundamental questions on the frontiers of biology, earth sciences, and astronomy that its trustees and scientists consider to be among the most significant in science. Its funds are used to support projects at its own research departments and to conduct a program of advanced education at the predoctoral and postdoctoral levels.