Chan Zuckerberg Initiative updates and news from across our initiatives.
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A Note from Priscilla Chan
I am an optimist at heart. While the past two years of this global pandemic have been heartbreaking in so many ways, one of the silver linings has been seeing how people across the world and from all walks of life have collaborated to tackle shared challenges. This ethos of collaboration is core to our work at CZI, where we’re focused on supporting and building impactful ways to improve education, eradicate disease and meet the needs of our local communities.
As we mark the Lunar New Year ([link removed] ) and Black History Month ([link removed] ) this February, I am humbly reminded that a future for everyone is grounded in equity and a long-term commitment to building systems that work for each and every one of us. With this spirit of collaboration, partnership and equity in mind, I’m proud to share a look at some work we’ve done in recent months and where we’re headed in 2022.
Exploring New Horizons in Biomedicine
CZI Science 5-Year Anniversary Symposium ([link removed] )
In December, CZI held a symposium ([link removed] ) to mark the five-year anniversary of our work in Science. It was a great opportunity to take stock of our progress toward making it possible to cure, prevent, or manage all diseases by the end of the century, and to chart out our next steps for the future of science ([link removed] ) .
We also announced our science vision for the next ten years ([link removed] ) - to support science, develop new technologies, and build new institutes, all with the goal of observing and measuring what’s happening inside the human body, in real-time. You might think scientists and doctors already have a pretty clear view of how our biological systems work—but the reality is that there are lots of big, unresolved questions about how our cells and tissues interact. If we can build tools to help answer those questions, then we’re going to unlock huge breakthroughs in human biology and medicine.
With that in mind, CZI will build new tools and biomedical institutes ([link removed] ) in the coming years. We’re also creating the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network, an ambitious, long-term collaboration between the world’s leading scientific institutions to help solve grand challenges in human biology. We’ve just started the process of finding the next CZ Biohub, and you can take a look here ([link removed] ) .
February is also Rare Disease Month, and at CZI we know that knowledge from patient-led research has the power to dramatically speed up the pace of breakthroughs. That’s why we’re excited to announce two new funding opportunities ([link removed] ) seeking close collaborations between researchers and patient groups. We hope these and future opportunities will help better connect researchers and patients to each other as they work to accelerate progress against rare diseases. You can also listen to two ([link removed] ) of our Rare As One grantees in this recent The Story Collider Podcast as they share their stories navigating diagnosis and organizing their communities to accelerate research, identify treatments, and change the course of their diseases.
Creating Technology for Transformation
One of the things that defines CZI’s approach to philanthropy is that we don’t just fund these advances in technologies; we build them ([link removed] ) . The goal is to put some of the most advanced methods, tools, and datasets into the hands of scientists all over the world—and to empower diverse science leaders ([link removed] ) to help make more breakthroughs, faster.
We take a similar approach in our education work. We want every teacher to have the tools they need to build strong, meaningful connections with their students, which can accelerate student learning. And we want every student to be able to learn in a way that’s precisely tailored to their individual needs. Technology helps make that kind of learning possible ([link removed] ) —and the tools CZI has built alongside our partners are making a big impact in classrooms across the U.S. We’re also investing in access and learning outcomes through the education technology companies in our Ventures portfolio ([link removed] ) .
Supporting the Whole Child, and Building
Student-Teacher Connections
National Mentorship Month ([link removed] )
Speaking of education, we celebrated National Mentorship Month in January by getting the word out about how positive teacher-student relationships ([link removed] ) can help students thrive in and outside of the classroom. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without the educators who encouraged me, and I’m proud to help students forge deeper relationships with teachers through Along ([link removed] ) , our free digital tool that helps teachers check in with their students.
Meanwhile, CZI has committed $10 million ([link removed] ) to support educators and communities to design research studies based on their values. Researchers will work closely with educators and communities to assess which practices will best help students to emerge from this period of ongoing disrupted learning and succeed in the long term, paying particular attention to the role of inclusion and belonging.
I also had the opportunity to participate in a fireside chat with Dr. Nardos King ([link removed] ) at the 49th National Association of Black School Educators conference last fall. The two of us talked about the importance of taking a whole-child approach to learning—particularly during a pandemic that has turned every part of students’ lives upside-down. I shared how CZI is supporting efforts to expand the pipeline for diverse educators ([link removed] ) and improve outcomes for all students.
Building a More Equitable Future in
the Bay Area and Beyond
Local, community-driven solutions spark big ideas. We’re humbled to collaborate with grantees and partners who share our commitment to building greater equity and opportunity in communities like San Mateo County and beyond.
Organizations like YO! California ([link removed] ) , which is helping young organizers build and lead movements that will transform our communities for the better, embody this commitment. CZI recently partnered with the San Francisco Chronicle to tell their story. Take a look ([link removed] ) —I promise you’ll feel inspired.
In that same vein, we’re also seeing real progress in efforts to help solve California’s housing affordability crisis. Systemic problems like this one have no quick fixes, but if you wonder what it means to make headway, the Keys to Equity ([link removed] ) program is a great example. CZI helped launch this effort, which simplifies the process for building Accessory Dwelling Units, in deep collaboration with the City of Oakland, Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services, Self-Help Federal Credit Union, The Wellnest Company, and the San Francisco Foundation.
The last piece of news I’ll share is that CZI recently announced its fifth annual Community Fund ([link removed] ) , which supports 75 organizations that are increasing access to the building blocks of social and economic well-being in San Mateo County. This is always an exciting moment for us—and especially this year, after we’ve taken important steps to expand the Fund’s geographic reach and budget, provide multi-year funding, and bring more members of our community into the decision-making process ([link removed] ) .
Thank you, as always, for being part of our CZI family. I hope this note finds you and your loved ones safe, healthy, and hopeful for the year ahead.
With care,
CO-FOUNDER AND CO-CEO
CHAN ZUCKERBERG INITIATIVE
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