The mission of the Biogen Idec Foundation is to improve the quality of people’s lives and contribute to the vitality of the communities in which we operate, with a special emphasis on innovative ways to promote science literacy and encourage young people to consider science careers.
The Foundation supports projects in Greater Boston, MA, and Research Triangle Park (Raleigh-Durham), NC, and a small number of grants in San Diego, CA. At the national level, we also support the USA Biology Olympiad, a competition encouraging students to learn and apply advanced biological concepts.
Transforming Science Education
Instituted in 2008, Biogen Idec Foundation’s Transformational Grants in Science Education program funds innovative programs that develop effective science teachers and encourage youth to pursue science education and careers. The majority of our grants serve middle and high school students, primarily those from diverse and underserved backgrounds. Learn more about several of our Transformational Grants.
Enhancing Community-Based Science Programming
The Biogen Idec Foundation provides microgrants (between $250 and $2,500) to schools and nonprofits to extend their work in science education. From robotics programming to helping visually impaired students access hands-on science, the microgrants provide the extra support needed to make science truly engaging.
Supporting Institutions of Higher Education
Biogen Idec offers an Academic Matching Gifts program, which matches up to $5,000 in donations made by employees and our Board of Directors to qualified institutions of higher education in the United States. In 2010, the Foundation awarded more than $140,000 in academic matching gifts.
Assisting Community-Based Organizations
The Biogen Idec Foundation also provides grants to support local community needs, including general education, human services and culture and the arts. For example, in 2010, the Foundation supported Boston Health Care for the Homeless and the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.
Providing Humanitarian Assistance
While the Biogen Idec Foundation provides grants to support programs in the communities where we operate in the United States, from time to time, we also assist other communities impacted by disasters. Over the years, the Foundation has contributed to relief efforts following the 2004 South Asian tsunami, 2005’s Hurricane Katrina and the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
