Tiny Blue Dot Foundation Launches $900,000 Grant Cycle for Perception Research

This latest request for proposals focuses on four core areas: agency and independence, interoception and emotional regulation, identity and self-narrative, and the pursuit of meaning and belonging. The Foundation invites academic and nonprofit institutions to submit studies that utilize rigorous, scientific methods to measure or expand the boundaries of human perception. Since its inception in 2022, the organization has directed funding toward 45 projects, spanning fields such as neuroscience, psychology, and mental health.

Elizabeth R. Koch, the Foundation’s co-founder, noted that the goal is to understand the forces influencing how individuals define their place in the world. By examining the mechanisms behind self-narratives and bodily signals, the Foundation aims to identify ways for people to broaden their mental models and increase psychological flexibility. Chief Scientist Dr. Christof Koch emphasized that the program remains dedicated to supporting neuroscience-based interventions that foster curiosity and reduce anxiety. The selection process for this cycle concludes with funding announcements expected in the third quarter of 2027.