Endowed Funds
Endowed funds are invested by the University to generate annual income in perpetuity for the purpose specified by the donors. Only a portion of the annual return generated by each endowed fund is spent, so that the principal continues to grow.
| Endowment Types | Minimum Gift |
| Professorships | $4,000,000 |
| Directorships | $2,000,000 |
| Faculty Scholar Funds | $2,000,000 |
| Postdoctoral Fellowship Funds | $1,000,000 |
| Graduate Biomedical Scholar Funds | $800,000 |
| Research Funds | $300,000 |
| Medical Student Scholarship Funds | $300,000 |
| Medical Student Scholar Funds | $250,000 |
| Book Funds | $25,000 |
Donors may create an endowed fund now, through an outright gift, or in the future, through a bequest or life income gift, such as a charitable remainder trust.
Endowed funds forever connect the name of the donors—or someone the donors wish to honor—with Stanford University as well as with the cause they care about.
Professorships
An endowed professorship in the Stanford School of Medicine is the highest honor that can be awarded to a faculty member. It distinguishes the recipient as a leader in medicine. It is awarded to the scientist, teacher, or scholar whose work best represents the ideals of the University and sustains its tradition of academic excellence and public service.
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Directorships
A clinical directorship at Stanford Hospital & Clinics is awarded to prominent leaders of top patient care programs. Each recipient demonstrates the highest level of clinical skill, unquestionable leadership abilities, and deep commitment to advancing medical research in a particular field.
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Faculty Scholar Awards
Endowed faculty scholar awards honor, encourage, and support outstanding young faculty members while their careers are being established. Such awards last for three or four years—a period long enough to complete a segment of work but short enough to make the fund available to other qualified candidates.
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Postdoctoral Fellowship Funds
Postdoctoral fellows devote several years to training in a specialized area of basic science or clinical medicine. They play an important role in teaching medical students and residents, and they make tremendous contributions to Stanford's research and clinical programs. Endowed gifts provide the necessary support for fellows to continue their endeavors.
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Graduate Biomedical Scholar Funds
Graduate students are essential members of faculty-led basic research teams. This fund provides support to graduate students pursuing PhDs within the School of Medicine. An investment in the education of these talented students helps cultivate the careers of scientists of the future as they strive to apply breakthroughs in research to the prevention, treatment, and cure of human disease.
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Research Funds
Clinical investigations provide insight into the causes, treatment, and prevention of human disease, while basic science research leads to a better understanding of the molecular biology of disease and helps speed the transformation of new discoveries into improved treatments. Unrestricted endowment income allows the dean to encourage new areas of exploration through start-up funds and ongoing program support.
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Medical Student Scholarship Funds
Students admitted to Stanford University School of Medicine are some of the most qualified in the nation. However, the costs of medical education are high, and nearly all Stanford medical students require some kind of financial support to complete their studies. Income from an endowed scholarship fund provides a large amount of financial aid and makes it possible for qualified students to complete their degrees without incurring an unreasonable educational debt.
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Medical Student Scholar Funds
The Medical Student Scholars Program, a unique feature of the Stanford medical school experience, allows students to collaborate with faculty members to complete specialized projects in research, patient care, arts and humanities, or public service. Endowed funds provide Medical Student Scholars with the necessary resources to pursue their projects.
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Book Funds
Stanford scholars and faculty use Lane Library to keep informed of the latest research in all areas of medicine. Endowed book funds—the principal means of enhancing the library's collection—help ensure that students, physicians, and staff have access to the most up-to-date medical literature and computing resources.
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