The Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) and Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz) have teamed to distribute $500,000 to support scientific research in Maricopa County.

ACF formed the partnership to ensure that its scientific funding efforts are invested in research of the highest quality. To do this, ACF relied on SFAz's grant-review process, which uses an external panel of nationally recognized expert reviewers.

As a result of the process, ACF will contribute $50,000 to five proposals from SFAz's Competitive Advantage Awards program. It will also grant $100,000 to SFAz's Small Business Catalytic program, which invests in innovation at Arizona's research institutions that will have high-impact commercial outcomes, and $150,000 to the K-12 Teacher Discovery program, which funds research internships for high school science and math teachers.

"In order for our state to prosper and excel, significant investments must be made from both the public and private sectors to make us competitive in a 21st century economy rooted in innovation," said William Harris, president and CEO of SFAz.

"Science Foundation Arizona appreciates the commitment made by the Arizona Community Foundation to science in Arizona."

---

For more information:

Science Foundation Arizona news release, 05/02/2007