Renaissance Philanthropy Launches ‘Big If True Science’ Accelerator (BiTS)
Goal is to help scientists develop visionary coordinated research programs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2025
Contact: media@renphil.org
Renaissance Philanthropy today announced the launch of a new effort to support scientists and researchers develop groundbreaking research initiatives with a talent accelerator program.
While scientists are traditionally trained to develop projects within their own labs, there is a critical gap in support and training for those looking to coordinate efforts with budgets of $10s of millions across multiple technical teams. This new initiative aims to bridge that gap, empowering researchers with the strategic capabilities to lead high-impact, collaborative breakthroughs. The internet and GPS emerged from such coordinated research programs – aligning labs and companies around a shared, ambitious goal beyond business-as-usual R&D.
The accelerator, called “Big If True Science,” or BiTS for short, is designed to equip fellows with the tools, skills, and networks needed to design and execute such initiatives. The fellows will gain hands-on experience in program execution, project management, budgeting, and other important skills necessary to engineer successful programs.
The curriculum––which will be open-sourced––is designed to prepare people for a job in an organization like Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA) in the United Kingdom, the ARPAs in the United States (e.g., DARPA, ARPA-E, ARPA-H), SPRIND in Germany, innovation arms of global governments or corporations, or philanthropists interested in funding ambitious science and research efforts.
“Fellows will be supported through a structured mentorship program that will help them refine their ideas, develop groundbreaking programs, and cultivate long-term support for their work,” said Joshua Elliott, Chief Scientist at Renaissance Philanthropy. “Our goal is to empower the next generation of scientific visionaries across the world.”
“BiTS fills a critical gap by equipping researchers with the skills to think beyond individual lab projects and design high-impact, coordinated research programs. We’re excited to support this initiative and look forward to seeing the transformative ideas that emerge from its participants,” said Matt Clancy, Innovation Policy program lead at Open Philanthropy.
“ARIA is proud to support the launch of the first ever BiTS cohort, a programme that will be instrumental in developing the next generation of research leaders,” said Ilan Gur, CEO of UK’s Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA). “Equipping scientists with the skills to design and drive world-changing research programs is at the heart of ARIA’s approach to catalyse breakthroughs for the UK and beyond.”
Powered by Renaissance Philanthropy’s partnership with ARIA, BiTS will launch its first cohort in Spring 2025 with a focus on supporting ARIA’s incoming Program Directors. The second cohort will launch an open call in June 2025, focused on incubating ambitious research visions for the UK, Europe, and Africa.
With support from Open Philanthropy, BiTS will launch a North, Central, and South American focused cohort in late 2025.
Please contact bits@renphil.org or sign up here to be notified when applications for our open cohort goes live.
The BiTS accelerator will leverage Renaissance Philanthropy’s leadership team, composed of experts with a track record of producing impact across science, government, and philanthropy. This includes programming over $900M in federal funding over eleven years across fourteen major DARPA programs. Partners of the program include the UK’s Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA), Open Philanthropy, Horizon Institute for Public Service, Convergent Research, Deep Science Ventures, and Activate.
About Renaissance Philanthropy
Renaissance Philanthropy is a nonprofit organization with a mission to fuel a 21st-century renaissance by increasing the ambition of philanthropists, scientists, and innovators.
