The Sundance Institute has created the Sloan Commissioning Fundthrough a grant from the Alfred P Sloan Foundation to support the development,presentation and celebration of science and technology through independentfilm.

This is the first commissioning project initiated by theInstitute, and provides a cash stipend and creative and practical support todevelop science and technology-related screenplays at an early phase ofdevelopment.

The fund builds upon previous support of the Institute in the formof the Sloan Fellowships at the Sundance Feature Film Labs, the Science in FilmForum at the Sundance Film Festival, and the Alfred P Sloan Prize at thefestival.

"[The Fund]demonstrates the potential of independent film - which much like science itself- to encourage risk-taking, improvisation, collaboration and discovery,"Sundance Institute executive director Ken Brecher said.