DETROIT, May 28, 2025 — The Leinweber Foundation has announced a historic \$90 million gift to establish Leinweber Institutes for Theoretical Physics at four leading U.S. research universities: the University of Michigan, University of California, Berkeley, University of Chicago, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Additionally, a Leinweber Forum for Theoretical and Quantum Physics will be created at the Institute for Advanced Study.
This unprecedented investment aims to strengthen current theoretical physics programs and create a new model of collaboration among these top institutions. Each institute will continue to focus on its own research priorities while participating in joint initiatives on shared scientific topics. The funding will also significantly increase support for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, with three to eight fully endowed Leinweber Physics Fellowships at each site.
Larry Leinweber, Founder and President of the Leinweber Foundation, described the gift as a commitment to the future of American science. He emphasized that theoretical physics, though often viewed as abstract, drives innovation by deepening our understanding of the universe and enabling new technologies. Leinweber expressed hope that this investment will bolster U.S. leadership in basic science and inspire future discoveries.
Fred Adams, Director of the University of Michigan’s Leinweber Institute, highlighted the value of collaboration among institutions to maximize societal impact and nurture future generations of physicists. Steven Kahn, Dean of Mathematics and Physical Sciences at UC Berkeley, called the gift a vital source of support that empowers scientists and students to pursue long-term, fundamental questions despite challenges in public funding.
Dam Thanh Son, inaugural Director of the UChicago Institute, praised the gift as a morale boost for early-career scientists, providing the resources needed to pursue ambitious research. At MIT, Professor Washington Taylor, Director of the new Leinweber Institute center, said the endowment will support graduate students and postdocs in developing independent research and fostering connections across the network.
David Nirenberg, Director of the Institute for Advanced Study, described the foundation’s support as a precious gift that will help deepen humanity’s understanding of the cosmos through sustained, collaborative inquiry.
Founded in 2015 by software entrepreneur Larry Leinweber, the foundation has partnered with the Science Philanthropy Alliance since 2021 to develop its strategy. Alliance President France Córdova praised the foundation’s commitment to intellectual curiosity and its role in enabling scientists to explore transformative ideas.
The Leinweber Foundation focuses on advancing society through investments in research, education, and community support, especially for underserved and rural students. The Science Philanthropy Alliance is a leading advising firm that helps philanthropists support basic science, having influenced over \$4 billion in giving since 2014.
