Seven years after Paul Allen's passing in 2018, his estate has established the $3.1 billion Fund for Science and Technology (FFST) to support pioneering research in bioscience, environmental science, and AI, reflecting his lifelong passion for innovation.

The foundation, managed by trustees including Allen's sister Jody Allen and notable figures like Steve Ballmer, was quietly developed over three years and aims to make long-term, high-risk investments in science and technology.

FFST plans to deploy at least $500 million over four years, beginning with $15 million in grants to Seattle-based institutions such as the Benaroya Research Institute, University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and Seattle Children’s Hospital.

The foundation emphasizes funding early-stage, high-risk projects that traditional sources might overlook, aiming to accelerate scientific discovery and address global challenges in areas like AI, climate, and health.

Unlike the Gates Foundation’s focus on later-stage implementation, FFST is discovery-oriented, initially concentrating on projects in the Pacific Northwest with plans to expand nationally and globally.

Led by Dr. Lynda Stuart, a former Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation executive, FFST aims to fund transformative ideas, translating scientific concepts into early clinical trials to solve large, costly problems.

The foundation’s creation underscores Allen’s enduring belief in technology’s potential to solve major global issues, with industry observers hopeful for revolutionary discoveries that continue his legacy.

Initial grants will support projects in bioscience infrastructure, environmental research, cancer treatment, and pediatric clinical trials, emphasizing long-term, impactful investments.

This initiative comes at a time when federal research funding has been reduced, with the US government cutting billions from NIH grants, highlighting the importance of private philanthropic support for scientific progress.

Overall, FFST aims to be a catalyst for scientific innovation, leveraging private funding to fill gaps left by declining federal support and to foster responsible AI development and sustainable solutions.

In contrast to the broad scope of scientific funding, the CDC has recently scaled back its foodborne illness surveillance from eight pathogens to only two, indicating a reduction in monitoring efforts.

This philanthropic effort is part of Allen’s broader estate management, which includes assets like sports teams, with proceeds expected to fund future scientific and societal initiatives.