I've been dying to mention Informed by Nature on my blog, but couldn't really. Until now. For the last couple years, I've assisted in the development of their website dedicated to helping science outreach projects around the world GET FUNDED. It's set to launch in about 6 months.
Basically, public science literacy is not where it should be. You know it. I know it. Science outreach helps, as NSF knows: they give millions each year to ensure outreach is included in every science research project they fund (among other things.) But alas, more could be done.
So, the founders of Informed by Nature reasoned--instead of building their own infrastructure to carry out additional science outreach programs, why not take a more cooperative approach and lift up the projects that are already going. Why reinvent the wheel? Some of you are doing a great job already.
But, you could probably use some more money, right? For your ongoing science conference, web project, public events series, educational group outing...On the Informed by Nature site, you'll be able to submit your project: we'll help promote it online and in pop media, help you get funding from your friend circle, AND we'll often match that money with our own. If we like your project well enough from the start, we'll just fund it outright. We give based on whether the project is well-run, professional, sustainable, and fits with the goals of make citizens aware of science as: a tool to sharpen decision-making, a vehicle to drive human progress, and generally a pleasant subject that should be a big part of culture just like art and music.We love to hear about proposed new project, too, as long as your team has a good plan and great track record!
Why are we doing this? Because we have money. And we wanna give it to science. And this seems like the best way to do it. How? Because one of the founders is a former money manager in the finance world who feels extremely indebted to scientific discovery and knowledge for what he's been able to accomplish in his life. "If I have seen further, it's by standing on the shoulders of giants," he'd say (quoting Newton.) This guy is motivated, and has the skills (almost overly so) to keep this thing funded and running.
I'm getting excited about the website launch. Oh yeah, and by the way--we've just secured a partnership with NSF. So, visit and bookmark the temporary website, put yourself on the mailing list to get monthly updates about our progress, and, get excited to see this thing launch.
Also, we have new Facebook and Twitter pages, so follow/like us and spread the word!
Very cool. I look forward to learning more about Informed by Nature, and applying for support for some of our initiatives.
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