Simons Foundation International, or SFI, has gifted the campus Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing, or Simons Institute, $40 million and pledged to match an additional $25 million to fund research in theoretical computing.

This funding will allow the institute to continue the research they have committed to for the past decade while also increasing accessibility for researchers, said Amy Ambrose, senior development director at Simons Institute.

SFI is an organization committed to funding research in science and math through financial grants and gifts.

Simons Institute is a research institute that brings together scientists from all over the world to research theoretical computing. It runs two research programs per semester and several over the summer; each program includes about 80 people.

David Spergel, president of Simons Foundation International, said in an email that Simons Institute is diving into “cutting edge problems” and creating a large impact to a “broader international community.” He hopes his decision to fund the institute will ensure its longevity.

“We were tremendously delighted (SFI) want us to attract more investment, which we should be able to do,” Ambrose said. “We literally have the very best people in the world working on this. It’s amazing.”

In 2012, SFI granted Simons Institute $60 million, which allowed the institute to run for the first decade, according to Ambrose.

Venkatesan Guruswami, senior scientist and interim director for Simons Institute, hopes that the additional funding and pledge to match the funds will be a “positive boost” that will encourage other investors, private foundations and philanthropists to donate.

“That’s real proof that they’re very happy with what we’re doing and they want to do more, but they also want other donors to share this journey,” Guruswami said.

Ambrose noted the funding is “a game changer” and will help with the institute’s mission to increase accessibility, diversity and inclusion. She hopes additional support will be provided to female researchers, “underrepresented minorities” and those with family obligations.

Funding decisions will be based on scientific merit, Ambrose said. She added that this funding may help attract top scientists and support those who would otherwise be inhibited from going to the institute because they have small children or an elderly parent to care for.

“We’ve done a lot to increase the accessibility, especially for women scientists,” Ambrose said. “We’re proud of the fact that we have more women scientists participating in the institute than generally speaking in this field.”

In addition, Ambrose mentioned that Simons Institute has allowed for a community among researchers. Through the institute, scientists have made it “sort of their home in a way.”

With a mentoring program, the institute has several “testimonials” that encourage the growth in research, Ambrose added.

“For many (researchers), the experience to immerse themselves with no other distraction has been transformational,” Guruswami said.