How to apply for Science Accelerator, Big if True

About Renaissance Philanthropy

Renaissance Philanthropy is unique for its focus on scaling ambitious scientific philanthropy through direct advisory work and initiative incubation, bridging the gap between visionary ideas and actionable, funded programs. Working here offers exposure to high-impact science funding strategies and mentorship from former DARPA program managers, ideal for those passionate about accelerating scientific breakthroughs through strategic philanthropy.

About the role

This Science Accelerator role involves transforming ambitious scientific concepts into structured, fundable research programs during a 15-week accelerator, guided by former DARPA leaders. You'll design large-scale coordinated research initiatives and present refined proposals to potential funders at Demo Day, directly impacting which breakthrough ideas receive philanthropic funding.

A typical day

A typical day might involve morning small-group sessions with peers and mentors to brainstorm research program designs, followed by independent work on field exploration and proposal drafting. Afternoons could include 1:1 guidance from a former DARPA program manager to refine execution plans, ending with collaborative reviews to prepare for upcoming Demo Day presentations.

Who Renaissance Philanthropy is looking for

• Has hands-on experience in scientific research (e.g., lab work, field studies, or academic projects) OR program development (e.g., designing research initiatives, grant writing, or project coordination)
• Demonstrates ability to collaborate in structured mentorship settings (e.g., through prior research groups, academic advising, or professional mentorship programs)
• Can showcase strong presentation skills with examples of communicating complex ideas to non-expert audiences, such as funders or stakeholders
• Has developed or refined complex proposals (e.g., research grants, project plans, or technical documents) requiring iterative feedback and revision

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific examples of transforming an abstract scientific idea into a structured project plan, emphasizing any DARPA-like or interdisciplinary approaches
• Detail experience with philanthropic or research funding cycles, even indirectly (e.g., university grants, science outreach funding, or nonprofit projects)
• Mention any exposure to DARPA's model or similar accelerator programs (e.g., ARPA-E, IARPA) to align with the mentors' backgrounds
• Include a portfolio link or attachment showing a research proposal, presentation deck, or program design document you've developed or contributed to
• Tailor your resume to show collaboration in small-group settings (e.g., workshops, hackathons, or team-based research) rather than only solo achievements

What to cover in your cover letter

["Explain why you're drawn to Renaissance Philanthropy's mission of increasing ambition in science philanthropy, referencing specific initiatives or values from their website", 'Describe a past experience where you developed a research program or proposal from concept to concrete plan, highlighting skills in field exploration and execution planning', "Connect your background to working with mentors or in structured guidance settings, emphasizing how you've incorporated feedback to refine complex projects", "Express enthusiasm for the accelerator's Demo Day and presenting to funders, noting any relevant presentation or pitch experience"]

Research before applying

• Explore Renaissance Philanthropy's website for their incubated initiatives and past projects to understand their thematic focus (e.g., biosecurity, clean energy, or AI ethics)
• Review the backgrounds of former DARPA program managers (common in this space) to anticipate the mentorship style and strategic approach
• Investigate their philanthropic advisory work to see how they engage with funders, which will be relevant for Demo Day presentations
• Look into their 'Big if True' framing or related content to grasp their philosophy on ambitious, high-risk science funding

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Walk through how you would design a large-scale research initiative for a breakthrough scientific idea (e.g., climate tech or biomedical innovation)
• Discuss your experience receiving and implementing mentorship feedback in a collaborative, small-group setting like this accelerator
• Explain how you approach translating technical scientific concepts for non-expert audiences, such as philanthropists or funders
• Describe a time you refined a complex proposal based on iterative feedback, and the outcome
• Ask about Renaissance Philanthropy's current focus areas (e.g., specific scientific fields or philanthropic partnerships) to show research alignment

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic application without mentioning Renaissance Philanthropy's specific mission or the accelerator's DARPA-inspired model
• Focusing solely on technical scientific expertise without demonstrating program design, collaboration, or presentation skills
• Overlooking the philanthropic context—failing to show interest in how science is funded or experience with stakeholder communication