Indiana Academy of Science

Founded in 1885, the Indiana Academy of Science (IAS) is a statewide nonprofit organization advancing scientific research, education, publication, workforce development, and public engagement throughout Indiana. For more than 140 years, IAS has connected scientists, educators, students, institutions, and communities while supporting the creation and preservation of scientific knowledge.

IAS directly invests in scientific discovery through competitive research grants for scientists and students across Indiana. Each year, hundreds of researchers, faculty, students, and professionals also gather at our statewide scientific conference to present new research and build collaborations. IAS publishes peer-reviewed scientific research through its scholarly journal and produces books, monographs, field guides, and reference works documenting Indiana’s plants, wildlife, ecosystems, geology, and other areas of scientific importance. These publications preserve Indiana-specific research that may have limited commercial publishing opportunities while making it available to researchers, educators, natural-resource professionals, students, and the public.

Our work also creates pathways for the next generation of scientists. IAS provides middle and high school students with science competitions, leadership development, career exploration, and opportunities to interact directly with scientists. Through our partnership with the Science Education Foundation of Indiana, we help connect and support Indiana students participating in science and engineering research and competition. For undergraduate and graduate students, IAS provides professional development, research opportunities, and paid fellowships. These include placements that give emerging scientists experience applying science within state government and public policy, as well as a developing fellowship connecting students with the Indiana State Museum to complete applied projects with professional mentors.

IAS also brings science directly into Indiana communities. Public programs place scientists in informal, approachable settings where community members can discuss current research, while BioBlitz events bring scientists and the public together to identify and document the plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms within Indiana’s natural areas.

Foundation funding would support research grants, student scholarships and fellowships, scientific publishing and printing, public and student programming, BioBlitzes, statewide outreach, and the infrastructure necessary to coordinate and expand these opportunities.

With only one full-time employee, IAS leverages a statewide network of volunteer scientists, educators, institutions, and community partners. Philanthropic support allows us to invest more directly in Indiana’s scientists and students, preserve scientific knowledge, strengthen the state’s scientific workforce, and make science more accessible to communities throughout Indiana.