As an independent research unit of the Smithsonian Institution, SERC receives its funding from both federal and private sources. While federal appropriations provide the foundation for SERC's endeavors—supporting many of our core functions such as salaries for senior-level employees and facilities maintenance—we rely heavily on grants and donations to sustain our activities. Nearly 60% of our funds come from grants and donations.
      It is the direct support from non-federal sources that has enabled SERC to grow from an idea borne of a gift of land just 40 years ago to a leading research and education center for environmental studies around the world with more than 1,500 articles in peer-reviewed science journals.
      SERC has a 40-year history of successfully competing with universities and other scientific organizations for research and education grants and contracts.
      Donations and gifts from private individuals, foundations, and corporate partners have enabled SERC to undertake new ventures and broaden our existing programs in ways that would not otherwise have been possible.