New Non-Profit Directly Links Donors to
Researchers; Seeks Submissions from Scientists in Need of Project Funding
SciFlies.org creates a new public funding
mechanism for science discovery and innovation
St. Petersburg, Fla. (Sept. 24, 2010)
Scientists and researchers seeking additional
funding sources for projects that will enhance
their research goals now have an alternative
resource for the money they need to propel their
projects forward: the general
public. SciFlies.org, a new non-profit
organization created to connect research projects
with thousands of small donors who wish to
support them directly, is now accepting
submissions from scientists and researchers. Any
scientist or researcher affiliated with a
university or research institution is invited to
visit www.sciflies.org
<http://www.sciflies.org> to register and fill
out the research application. Once a project is
submitted, it will undergo a review for
scientific merit and public readability before
going live on the site. The formal launch of
SciFlies.org to the general public will be announced in November 2010.
SciFlies provides one of the most significant
new avenues for funding research, development and
innovation in 50 years, said David Fries,
co-founder and chief science officer of
SciFlies.org. As someone who has been writing
grants and raising funds for my research projects
and those on which Ive been part of a team, I
know how frustrating it is to have vital
discovery and proof of concept work held up for
want of a few thousand dollars.
Fries, who is on the faculty of the University of
South Floridas College of Marine Science and has
spun out several successful entrepreneurial
companies from technologies developed there,
knows all too well how a lack of steady funding
can interrupt the progress of scientific
discovery. To address this need, he partnered
with veteran nonprofit and political fundraiser
Larry Biddle and regional technology industry
advocate and communications strategist Michelle
Bauer to develop the model for SciFlies.
The way SciFlies works is simple. Scientists
complete an application that allows them to
present their project needs and goals in terms
that the general public will understand. An
individual page on SciFlies.org is set up for
each project in categories such as medical and
environmental research so that the public can
select projects based on their personal
interest. Donors can then make direct,
tax-deductible contributions to the projects of
their choice through the site. The funds are
deposited directly into the foundation accounts
of the university or research institution with
whom the scientist is affiliated for direct
disbursement once the fundraising goal is achieved.
The funds generated from the public donors can be
used toward students, staff, equipment or access
to data or facilities that are needed to complete the project.
I believe that the funding mechanism SciFlies
offers will not only facilitate the advance of
research and discovery, but also change the
public perception of how scientific research
works, Fries continued. SciFlies will spur more
public interest in the fields of science and
technology by building meaningful relationships
between the public and scientists who are solving the worlds challenges.
SciFlies handles the transfer of all gifts from
donors to the researchers institutions. At this
time, individual project requests are set at a
minimum of $5,000 and will not exceed $100,000
per year. Requests that are greater than $50,000
will require a phased approach. An option for
multi-year proposals is planned for the future.
About SciFlies.org
SciFlies makes science happen by accelerating
research and development projects that lead to
new discoveries and innovation. Our grassroots
approach and micro-donation model showcases
vetted and qualified research projects from
across all fields of scientific inquiry, allowing
anyone, anywhere to directly support research
they care about. SciFlies goal is to foster
ongoing citizen engagement with science and
technology, building meaningful relationships
between the public and scientists working to
solve the worlds medical, environmental, engineering, and other challenges.
For more information, visit www.sciflies.org <http://www.sciflies.org>.
