Apple Fellow Phil Schiller and his wife donate $25 million to help protect coral reefs across the world; How their gift will fund new research

Reefs of coral may be a small part of the ocean floor, but they’re important for more than just the brightly colored marine life they harbour. These underwater ecosystems protect coastlines and support fisheries and tourism, benefiting millions of people. Now, a $25 million donation from Apple Fellow Phil Schiller and his wife, Kim Gassett-Schiller, is backing new scientific efforts to protect reefs facing mounting environmental pressure. The couple’s five-year commitment to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) will establish the Schiller Centre for Reef Solutions, a research initiative designed to develop technologies and practical interventions to help coral reefs survive and recover.

Why Phil Schiller and His Wife Are Donating $25 Million

Announced on July 21, 2026, the gift is among the largest philanthropic commitments in WHOI’s history and its largest dedicated specifically to coral reefs. More than $22 million will go towards a permanent endowment, helping provide long-term support for scientific leadership and innovation. Schiller, an Apple Fellow and former senior vice president of worldwide marketing, has maintained a longstanding interest in ocean exploration. According to The Boston Globe, he visited WHOI as a teenager and saw its famous Alvin submersible, an experience that helped shape his interest in marine science.

Speaking to the newspaper about supporting the institution, Schiller said, “It’s great to have papers, it’s great to have discoveries. But it’s also important to put those things into action, to make change that benefits all of us.” The donation reflects the couple’s belief that scientific research needs to translate into practical solutions for threatened ecosystems.

What Will The Schiller Centre For Reef Solutions Do?

The new centre will bring together scientists and engineers specialising in marine biology, ecology, chemistry, robotics, acoustics and data science. Rather than concentrating on one research method, it will combine different disciplines to investigate reef health and develop interventions that can be tested in real-world conditions.

One area of work involves identifying coral ecosystems that naturally tolerate warmer, more acidic waters. WHOI’s Super Reefs research focuses on these resilient habitats, which could help guide conservation efforts as ocean conditions change. Researchers are also developing Digital Reefs, a technology that uses real-time information and artificial intelligence to simulate how reef ecosystems may respond to different conditions and management decisions. Such tools could help conservation managers assess potential interventions before putting them into practice.

The funding will also support research fellowships, new collaborations and projects that may be too experimental to secure conventional research funding. Amy Apprill, a WHOI associate scientist specialising in marine chemistry and microbiology, has been named the centre’s inaugural director.

Why Coral Reefs Need Urgent Attention

The donation comes amid mounting evidence of the pressures facing coral ecosystems. In June 2026, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported that the fourth global mass coral bleaching event likely ended in mid-2025. Between early 2023 and mid-2025, bleaching-level heat stress affected approximately 84% of the world’s coral reef area.

Coral bleaching happens when heat stress forces corals to expel algae that provide much of their energy. If stressful conditions persist, corals can die, damaging the wider ecosystems that depend on them. According to the Global Reefs Monitoring Network’s August 2026 Status of Reefs of Coral of the World: 2025 report, long-term monitoring is needed to better understand changes in reef health.

According to NOAA, some 500 million people worldwide rely on reefs of coral for food, livelihoods or other benefits. Reefs also help reduce coastal erosion, support marine biodiversity and generate income through tourism.

Can Philanthropy Help Restore Damaged Reefs?

The Schiller Centre will focus on turning research into solutions that can be applied with conservation organisations and local communities. Its work will include improving reef-health monitoring, testing targeted interventions and supporting international partnerships. However, scientific innovation alone cannot remove the main pressures on coral reefs. Rising ocean temperatures, acidification, pollution and unsustainable fishing continue to threaten these ecosystems, making wider environmental action essential.

The $25 million pledge provides researchers with additional resources to explore new approaches and expand work already underway. Its ultimate impact will depend on whether those discoveries can help reefs withstand changing ocean conditions and support effective conservation on the ground. For the Schillers, the investment is a long-term bet on the ability of science to protect an ecosystem that supports both marine life and human communities.