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Privacy Notice

Last revised on February 15, 2024.

Privacy Notice 

Schmidt Futures Projects is a charitable organization that finds and connects talented people across fields, generations, and geographies to harness their collective skills for public benefit. This Privacy Notice explains the personal information we collect, use, and share to operate our programs. 

INFORMATION WE COLLECT

If you are involved with or have applied to one of our programs, we may collect:

    • Basic biographical details (e.g., name, gender, date of birth) and contact information
    • Professional information and affiliations, such as title, role, employment details, career history, and professional activities
    • Application materials, such as research proposals, CVs, reference letters, cover letters, personal statements, and work product
    • Academic information, such as background, educational experiences, qualifications, certifications, and licenses
    • Financial and tax information, e.g. for dispersing funds or reimbursements
  • Surveys and feedback
  • Photographs and other recordings, either provided by you or taken at events
  • Social media information, such as LinkedIn
  • Any other information you provide to the program

 

When you browse our site, we collect:

  • Technical Information, such as your browser, operating system, language preference, and IP address
  • Cookies, pixels and similar technologies that are used to track online activity 
  • Usage information, such as which pages you viewed and the websites or search terms that referred you to the site

 

If you attend an event, we may collect

  • Basic biographical details (e.g., name, gender, date of birth) and contact details
  • Personal preferences, such as dietary preferences and accommodations 
  • Travel information, such as travel preferences and reservations, and passport and visa information
  • Event logistics, such as which activities you are attending
  • Surveys and feedback 
  • Financial information, e.g., for reimbursements
  • Photos of you

 

Special Categories of Data

  • Some of our programs collect race or ethnicity. We use this data to assess the diversity of our programs. Some programs and events also collect health information, such as vaccination status. 

 

HOW WE USE INFORMATION

Operate Our Programs

We use the data we collect to administer our programs, grants, and fellowships. This includes receiving, reviewing, and processing  applications, nominations, and research proposals; selecting candidates and research proposals; and overseeing programs, including dispersing funds and receiving progress reports.

 

Research and Analytics

We use survey feedback and other information we collect to conduct research to improve our programs. For example, we conduct internal research to evaluate and inform our program strategies and charitable activities. 

We also use analytics to better understand how people interact with our programs and events and how we can improve our network.

 

Website

We use technical information, cookies, and usage patterns to operate and improve our website.

For example, we perform data traffic analysis to evaluate the usage, performance, and safety of the website. 

 

Communicate With You

You can sign up for our mailing list to receive electronic communications about events and opportunities. You can always unsubscribe. 

If you are involved in a program, we will send you communications about that program, such as information about program activities or deadline reminders.

 

Manage Operations

We use the information we collect to manage our operations, including performing accounting, auditing, and other internal functions.

 

Events

We use information we collect to plan and host events, such as convenings, summits, forums, and conferences. This may include planning travel or processing reimbursements.

 

Make Connections

With your permission, we may make connections between you and programs or people in our network. We may recommend you for other fellowships, programs and opportunities.

 

LEGAL BASES OF PROCESSING

Contract

We process certain information as necessary to perform our agreements with you, such as  our terms of service or an event release.

We rely on contractual necessity to:

  • Operate our programs
  • Operate our website
  • Send some communications to you, such as those directly related to a program you are a part of. 

 

Legitimate Interest

Legitimate interest refers to something that is desirable to us or someone else (including you), is reasonably expected given the nature of our services, and doesn’t create any undue risk to you.

We rely on legitimate interest to:

  • Manage operations
  • Perform research and analytics
  • Host events

 

Consent 

When we process information on the basis of consent, you can withdraw your consent at anytime.

We rely on consent for:

  • Communications you opt into, such as our mailing list
  • Making connections between you and other people and opportunities

 

Legal Obligations 

We process information to comply with applicable laws and regulatory requirements, or as requested by government or regulatory authorities. We may use information to defend or establish legal claims; protect the safety, property, or rights of Schmidt Sciences or others, including you; or in connection with corporate restructuring, such as a merger, sale, or other transfer of assets. 

 

HOW WE SHARE INFORMATION

Program Partners 

  • Some of our programs and events are run jointly with other institutions. If you are part of a program or event that is run with a partner, we share your information to operate the program or event jointly. For example, a partner institution may be responsible for processing applications, administering parts of the program, or planning events. 

 

Affiliated Entities

  • We may share your information with our affiliated entities, including but not limited to Schmidt Futures Projects LLC, Hillspire LLC, and Futures Action Network, LLC.

 

Service Providers

  • We share your information with third-party service providers to help us provide our services. We use service providers for things like web hosting services, newsletter delivery, hosting events, processing donations, surveys, analytics, and research.

 

Legal Purposes

  • We may also share your information if it’s required by law or legal process. For example, we may share your information in response to government requests, or to establish or defend legal claims. 
  • We also may share information in connection with a merger, an acquisition, or a transfer of our assets or the assets associated with one of our programs.

 

Data Transfers 

  • Some of the recipients described in this section may be in different countries with different privacy laws. For our users located in the European Economic Area, UK or Switzerland, if we transfer your information to a country that has not been recognized as providing an adequate level of data protection, we rely on safeguards such as agreements with terms approved by the European Commission or ensuring that the recipients are certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework.

 

Others

  • If you are selected for a program, we may feature information like your name, headshot, and biography on our website. We may include similar information in biobooks or other materials at events. Photographs taken at events may be used on our website, social media, newsletters, and shared to partners. 

 

YOUR RIGHTS

Users located in the EEA, the UK, Switzerland, and certain U.S. states have the right to access, delete or correct personal information we hold.

You may also have the right to object to certain processing, such as processing based on legitimate interests. In certain cases, you also may request that we provide you with a copy of your personal information in a portable format. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us as described in the “Contact Us” section below.

 

CONTACT US

Schmidt Futures Projects LLC is responsible for the processing of your personal information as described in this Privacy Notice.

For more information about the processing of your personal information or to exercise your rights, please contact us by email at privacy@schmidtfuturesprojects.org.