On Aug. 27, 2025, a new fun created by Allen’s estate under the late Microsoft co-founder’s instructions, was launched with an initial $3.1 billion endowment from the late Microsoft co-founder’s estate. The new Fund for Science and Technology (FFST) will deploy at least $500 million over the next four years to accelerate progress in bioscience, the environment, and AI for good — starting with $15 million in grants to Seattle research institutions.

“Our primary role is to ask big questions and have a big impact,” said Dr. Lynda Stuart, the CEO of the Seattle-based foundation, a physician-scientist with extensive experience in immunology and global health, in an interview with GeekWire.

The mission isn’t an interpretation of Allen’s wishes — it’s a direct implementation. Allen personally directed the foundation’s formation and focus areas before his 2018 death from complications of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.  

While the separate Allen Family Philanthropies will continue to support a wide range of community and arts initiatives — such as its recent $10 million grant to 930 arts and culture organizations across Washington state — FFST is structured to handle large-scale funding for high-impact science and technology projects.

The foundation is emerging from the extended process of selling many of Allen’s far-flung assets — luxury properties, yachts, museums, art, vintage computers, and more — and focusing the proceeds on his long-term philanthropic priorities. That process of estate administration is still under way, and it’s expected to continue for years given the size and complexity of what Allen left behind.

Stuart explained that the initial $15 million investment in Seattle’s “centers of excellence” is designed in part to encourage more scientific collaboration, “to further strengthen the region as a powerhouse” in the areas where FFST is focusing.

Initial grant recipients include: Benaroya Research Institute (BRI), University of Washington, College of the Environment, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and Seattle Children’s.