Intuitive Foundation
The Intuitive Foundation (founded 2018) is the philanthropic arm associated with Intuitive Surgical, based in Sunnyvale, CA. The foundation funds clinical and bronchoscopy research grants, robotic surgical fellowships, STEM/FIRST Robotics programs, and operates the Surgical Education Learners Forum (SELF). The site provides program pages, contact details, and application guidance.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Hospitals, academic research centers, surgical fellowship programs, professional surgical societies, and STEM education nonprofits with institutional sponsorship and capacity to manage programmatic or research grants.
Good Fit
- • Clinical or surgical research projects focused on robotic-assisted procedures
- • Established surgical fellowship programs seeking training support
- • STEM education programs, especially FIRST/robotics initiatives and youth inclusion in STEM
- • Professional societies or training programs proposing curriculum or international training partnerships
- • Organizational capacity to submit through an institutional representative and manage grants
- • Nonprofit status (501(c)(3) US or foreign equivalent) and readiness for multi-tier review
Geography
Observed grants in the latest year reached 45 distinct states/regions and include international recipients, indicating a national-to-international footprint.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows 90 distinct recipients and 100 grants, with many program types (fellowships, clinical research, STEM outreach) funded, so the observed recipient set is broad for the foundation's size.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of openness is strong: the foundation documented a formal online application process, accepts unsolicited rolling proposals, and funded 69 new recipients in the latest year, showing real turnover and entry by unfamiliar organizations.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
