Strengthening Institutions
Endowments for Departments, Professorships, and Fellows
The Starr Foundation has endowed more than 100 positions, totaling $168 million, at prestigious institutions in the United States and Asia, with a wide focus on medical and scientific research institutions and across other fields including languages, Asian studies, art, music, business, and law. These endowments represent an investment in society’s intellectual capital, ensuring that institutions of higher learning and think tanks grow their capacity to educate, innovate, pursue cutting-edge research, and generate new, creative ideas to address high-stakes, complex challenges.
Institutions with Starr-funded endowments include:
In addition to the C.V. Starr and Maurice R. Greenberg Scholarships at Brown, The Starr Foundation endowed the C.V. Starr Professorship in Technology Entrepreneurship, the C.V. Starr Professorship in Sociology, and the Maurice R. Greenberg Professorship in Economics. Further Foundation funding at Brown includes capital support for the Watson Institute for International & Public Affairs and extensive program support for Brown’s Swearer Center for Public Service.
In addition to support for Carnegie’s China-related programs, in 2018, The Starr Foundation endowed the Maurice R. Greenberg Director’s Chair directing Carnegie’s East Asia–based, China-focused center. The Chair contributes to the international community’s understanding of China and its evolving foreign policy, and augments China’s understanding of the world.
The Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) is renowned for generating world-leading theoretical research. Endowment support allows its faculty and visiting researchers (or Members) unrestricted freedom for intellectual pursuit. In 2012, The Starr Foundation endowed the C.V. Starr Professorship and three associated Memberships in the Simons Center for Systems Biology.
Prior funding endowed Fellowships in the School of Historical Studies for East Asian Studies, and for many years, the Foundation supported the IAS’s Women+ and Mathematics Program and the IAS/Park City Mathematics Institute.
Located at China’s most prestigious university, Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management is globally top ranked. The Starr Foundation has endowed two professorships at the school, including the C.V. Starr Founding Dean Chair Professorship. In 2018, the Foundation committed $25 million of endowment support toward the Schwarzman Scholars program, to help prepare the next generation of global leaders. Students from around the world earn a master’s degree in global affairs while exploring China’s economic and cultural role in the world.
Spotlight: Middlebury College
C.V. Starr (right) was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws by Middlebury College in 1955.
C.V. Starr’s connection to Vermont began with skiing—a sport he took up at the age of 46 and quickly grew to love. After World War II, he helped rebuild a ski resort in St. Anton, Austria, and later developed the Mount Mansfield Company in Stowe, Vermont.
It was through skiing that Mr. Starr discovered Middlebury College where, by 1955, he was financially supporting international students at the college. Middlebury awarded him an honorary doctor of laws degree that same year. In 1961, Mr. Starr personally contributed stocks worth $26,700 for the Neil Starr Ski Shelter, a ski shelter at the base of the Middlebury Snowbowl, a ski area 13 miles from campus that has been owned and operated by Middlebury since 1934. Renovated in 2005, the shelter is still in use today.
Middlebury College, Posse 12
Starting with an initial grant in 1964, The Starr Foundation’s support for Middlebury College has created life-changing opportunities for students and faculty alike. In 1991, the C.V. Starr Scholarship Fund was established to provide financial aid to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, ensuring access to a Middlebury education regardless of financial circumstances. As of 2024, the Fund has disbursed more than $8 million in scholarships to more than 300 students. Other key initiatives include the Middlebury C.V. Starr Schools Abroad, the T.C. Hsu Endowment to support the Middlebury Language Schools, the Greenberg-Starr Department of Chinese, and endowed chairs across various fields of study.
Middlebury endowed chairs include:
Established in 1979, this Chair supports faculty research and teaching in linguistics and languages, and enhances Middlebury’s language programs, ensuring world-class linguistic and cultural studies.
Established in 1987, this Chair supports Russian and East European language and cultural studies. The Chair leads the department, integrating into the curriculum contemporary political and cultural discussions vital to understanding modern Russia and its global implications.
Established in 2018, this Chair supports a professorship in linguistics and languages, and linguistic and language research, studies, and programs. Currently, the Chair promotes advanced language education and faculty research in German, focusing on theater and cultural exchange and enhancing Middlebury’s commitment to linguistic and cultural scholarship.
Established in 2018, this Fellowship supports junior faculty in international studies, enabling emerging scholars to advance their research and teaching on global, cultural, political, and linguistic issues.