Annual Support

Gifts of annual support provide the additional unrestricted funds that enable the Institute for Advanced Study to maintain the level of service, quality of facilities, and overall atmosphere that Abraham Flexner envisioned at its founding, and have always distinguished it from other institutions. Each year some 190 Members are invited to the Institute to pursue their research, guided by twenty nine permanent Faculty members in four Schools, without the demands of teaching or administrative duties. The comments of past scholars speak to the impact of these gifts, which supplement income from the Institute’s endowment, and complete the funding of the Institute’s annual budget:

“The Institute for Advanced Study provided an environment which played a crucial role in the success of this year’s work. A large number of things have facilitated the practical side of life and allowed one to concentrate more on scientific explorations: exquisite lunches, fully equipped apartments, regular coffee hours, shuttle to Princeton University, responsive computer support staff, a great library, available at any time of day or night, etc.”

“In a world dominated by utilitarian concerns, the relaxed atmosphere of the Institute remains a haven of civility and an oasis of freedom, as Abraham Flexner wanted it. I commend you and your colleagues for keeping alive this wonderful place. Thank you again for a wonderful year at the Institute.”

“I could only accomplish this amount of research in this amount of time in an environment that allowed me to focus almost totally on my work. That type of environment was certainly provided by the Institute, where I enjoyed a lovely office, excellent computing and library facilities and, above all, many stimulating conversations over coffee, lunch, and tea.”

The primary means for making gifts of annual support are through the Association of Members of the Institute for Advanced Study (AMIAS), and the Friends of the Institute for Advanced Study.

The central purpose of AMIAS is to support the mission of the Institute and to continue for future generations the opportunities for independent, undistracted scholarship that AMIAS members themselves have experienced. Founded in 1974, AMIAS now has some five thousand members in more than sixty-five countries.

The Friends of the Institute for Advanced Study are partners with the Institute in the advancement of research and scholarship at the highest level. Friends make annual unrestricted contributions to the Institute and participate in its intellectual and cultural life through forums, lectures, concerts, films, and other gatherings. The Friends’ generosity demonstrates the leadership necessary to maintain the Institute’s extraordinary influence on science and scholarship.

Donors are encouraged to support the Institute for Advanced Study with gifts at any level, and should also consider whether they are eligible for matching gifts through their employers.