Mission Statement and Major Program AreaAlfred P. Sloan FoundationAPSF_df5aa60a-60a5-11e0-96ef-28787a64ea2aThe Foundation is unique in its focus on science, technology, and economic institutions—and the scholars and practitioners who work in these fields—as chief drivers of the nation’s health and prosperity. The Foundation has a deep-rooted belief that carefully reasoned systematic understanding of the forces of nature and society, when applied inventively and wisely, can lead to a better world for all. The Foundation’s endowment provides the financial resources to support its activities. The investment strategy for the endowment is to invest prudently in a diversified portfolio of assets with the goal of achieving superior returns.In each of our grants programs, we seek proposals for original projects led by outstanding individuals or teams. We are interested in projects that have a high expected return to society, and for which funding from the private sector, government or other foundations is not yet widely available.The Foundation makes grants on six broad subject matters, known within the Foundation as major program areas. _df5aa894-60a5-11e0-96ef-28787a64ea2aTo make grants primarily to support original research and broad-based education related to science, technology, economic performance and the quality of American life. _df5aa9e8-60a5-11e0-96ef-28787a64ea2aBasic ResearchApply carefully reasoned and systematic understanding of the forces of nature and society [toward the realization of] a better world for all._df5aaac4-60a5-11e0-96ef-28787a64ea2a1The Foundation believes that a carefully reasoned and systematic understanding of the forces of nature and society, when applied inventively and wisely, can lead to a better world for all. With its Basic Research program area, the Foundation expands that understanding by funding original, high-quality research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Grants in the Basic Research program area promise to substantively benefit society or significantly add to the body of scientific knowledge. By funding basic research, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has created a digital survey of the sky, is advancing species identification and discovery worldwide, and is crafting a better understanding of the built environment in which we live._df5aab64-60a5-11e0-96ef-28787a64ea2aScience EducationPromote access to the scientific enterprise, provide information about scientific and technical careers, and encourage innovation to the structure of scientific training._df5aac04-60a5-11e0-96ef-28787a64ea2a2The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation is unique among foundations in its focus on science and technology. We believe that the scholars and practicioners in scientific and technical fields are chief drivers of the nation's prosperity. Grants in the Science Education program area promote access to the scientific enterprise, provide information about scientific and technical careers, and encourage innovation to the structure of scientific training._df5aacae-60a5-11e0-96ef-28787a64ea2aPublic Understanding of ScienceFoster a better public understanding of the increasingly scientific and technological environment in which we live._df5aadf8-60a5-11e0-96ef-28787a64ea2a3In its Public Understanding of Science program, the Foundation makes grants that foster a better public understanding of the increasingly scientific and technological environment in which we live. The program also aims to convey some of the challenges and rewards of the scientific and technological enterprise and of the lives of the men and women who undertake it. Using books, television, radio, film, theater and other media, grants in this program area promote a deeper, richer contact with all the ways science and technology affect our lives._df5aaeac-60a5-11e0-96ef-28787a64ea2aEconomic Performance and the Quality of LifeFund grants for high-quality original research that promise to broaden that understanding or use it to improve American institutions._df5aaf6a-60a5-11e0-96ef-28787a64ea2a4The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation believes that a theory-based, empirically-tested understanding of the U.S. economy is essential to improving the American quality of life. The Foundation funds grants for high-quality original research that promise to broaden that understanding or use it to improve American institutions. Grants in the Economic Performance and Quality of Life program have expanded our knowledge of how particular industries function, encouraged better communication and cooperation between citizens and their local governments, and focused scholarly and public attention on the issues and challenges faced by contemporary working families._df5ab032-60a5-11e0-96ef-28787a64ea2aSelect National IssuesLook for unique opportunities to advance a significant national interest. _df5ab10e-60a5-11e0-96ef-28787a64ea2a5The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation recognizes that there are select opportunities outside of science, education and economics in which it can create an important benefit to society. Its National Issues program area looks for unique opportunities where Foundation funds promise to advance a significant national interest. Grants in the Select National Issues program are funding work to increase America's biosecurity and investigate how recent advances in information technology affect the spread of knowledge and the structure of scientific endeavor._df5ab1ea-60a5-11e0-96ef-28787a64ea2aCivic InitiativesRespond to unique opportunities to benefit the New York City metro area in ways that advance the Foundation's other interests in science, technology and economic performance._df5ab2d0-60a5-11e0-96ef-28787a64ea2a6New York City Metro AreaSince its founding in 1934, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has been proud to call New York City home. With its Civic Initiatives program, the Foundation responds to unique opportunities to benefit the New York City metro area in ways that advance the Foundation's other interests in science, technology and economic performance. Grants in the Civic Initiatives program have founded awards to recognize exceptional public service and reward effective teaching of science and mathematics._df5ab3b6-60a5-11e0-96ef-28787a64ea2a2011-04-06http://www.sloan.org/pages/9/mission-statementOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net