Requests may be submitted by letter containing a brief summary of the organization including documentation of its federal tax-exempt status objectives of the project and means for accomplishing the goal the budget sources of other funding and amount of the grant request. Evidence of a sound program competent leadership and the ability to accomplish objectives must be shown.

Requests are evaluated on the basis of relevance to the philanthropic priorities of the Merck Company Foundation the interests of Merck & Co. Inc. the location of its major facilities and the concerns of its employees. Grants are not made to political labor or sectarian groups nor for endowments publications or media productions. Except within Foundation programs grants are not given for scholarships fellowships or to individuals.