Institute For Advanced Study Receives Keck Foundation Grant

March 16, 2001: The Institute for Advanced Study has received a grant of $1,500,000 from the W.M. Keck Foundation of Los Angeles. The grant supports a six-year research program in theoretical astrophysics.

The Keck "Explorations in Theoretical Astrophysics" encourages an effort within the Institute's School of Natural Sciences to understand some of the puzzles of modern observational astronomy using the tools of modern theoretical physics. The program will train theoreticians at the interface of astronomy and physics, an area in which progress is rapid and qualified practitioners scarce.

The grant makes possible the appointment of five Keck members at the Institute, and one professorial level, sabbatical scientist. Active observational astronomers will be invited to visit the Institute for shorter periods of time.

There are five astrophysicists who have been named Keck Members working in the School of Natural Sciences this academic year: Anthony Aguirre, Alexander Friedland, Andrei Gruzinov, Joop Schaye, and Sara Seager.

In addition, David N. Spergel, of Princeton University, is Keck Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Institute for Advanced Study for the academic year 2000-01.

The Keck Foundation, headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif., was established in 1954 for general charitable purposes. It makes grants designed to provide far-reaching benefits for humanity in the fields of science, engineering, and medical research.