We’re on a mission to back 1,000 scientists pursuing paradigm-shifting discoveries that will dramatically benefit all people, all species and our planet.
Project Aeon advances critical scientific missions by funding paradigm-shifting research overlooked by today’s short-term, risk-averse system. We exist to restore the freedom and patience that once fueled discoveries by Darwin, Curie and Planck.
We marry capital stewardship, equitable talent discovery and community-building to unlock breakthroughs that benefit all people, all species and the planet.
Our Platform
Project Aeon is a first-of-its-kind platform that provides both grant and investment capital to support long-term, open-ended science.
Investment Thesis
We provide capital resources and advice over very long time horizons and allow our investee researchers complete freedom to explore bold, paradigm-shifting ideas.
Sourcing
We scour universities for exceptional scientific talent held back and overlooked by traditional science funding systems. We do not accept open applications.
Capital Management
We recycle returns back into scientific discovery, while allowing our capital partners to co-invest in next-generation, world-changing technologies.
Support
We provide ongoing, on-call support to our investees and actively connect them to others in the ecosystem to support their work.
Tranched Investment
As the science we invest in progresses toward something more tangible, we increase our support, concentrating our resources—and the resources of our partners—into the most impactful ideas.
Community
We’re building a community of scientists, technologists, philanthropists, policymakers and systems engineers to help our science bloom into meaningful technologies.
We Advance Four Ambitious Scientific Missions
Four open-ended, long-term missions drive our investment activities:
Human Flourishing
Enable an abundance of necessities—health, housing, food and education—for all people.
Planetary Resilience
Accelerate the regeneration of Earth’s vital ecosystems for a future where humanity and nature thrive together.
Material Abundance
Discover new materials and scale breakthroughs in resource efficiency, recycling and reuse.
Next-gen Industry
Pioneer regenerative technologies that redefine how we design, build and manufacture for a sustainable future.
Our Community
Project Aeon is a scientific movement. It brings together an interdisciplinary constellation of contributors with deep expertise across investments, science, policy, entrepreneurship, research, operations and technology. We joined Project Aeon to build something bold, impactful and enduring.
Links and Other Content
Introducing Project Aeon
Why science needs the freedom to wander—and the principles behind Project Aeon.
The approachProject Aeon in Practice
A closer look at our approach to capital, scientific talent, community and support.
The foundationsInspirations and References
Explore the research, books and organizations that inform our thinking.
An imagined futureA Glance at the Future
A short story imagining what a different future for science could look like.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you actually do?
We write checks using a streamlined, venture-like process—backing early-career scientists and bold ideas long before they’d qualify for traditional support. We offer both grants and equity, matched with ongoing services that maximize scientific momentum.
Isn’t this just venture capital?
No. Venture capital provides funds to startups bringing technologies to market that are already feasible or will be feasible in the very near term.
Do you need your own research labs and hardware?
No. There is sufficient capacity within the existing network of laboratories and research institutions to catalyze more scientific work and technological breakthroughs.
Why does this need to be a standalone initiative?
Every strand of DNA of this initiative must be coded for a long-term orientation. Existing institutions—while impactful in their own right—have structural and incentive factors that would pull Project Aeon off course into a short-term and objective-heavy orientation.
I’m a researcher. Can I apply for funding?
We do not currently accept open applications. Our sourcing process identifies researchers through scouts and scientific networks.