The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an independent non-profit scientific research institute headquartered in the La Jolla community of San Diego, California. Founded in 1960 by Jonas Salk, the developer of the polio vaccine, its founding consultants included Jacob Bronowski and Francis Crick, with construction of its research facilities commencing in the spring of 1962. The institute conducts scientific research and is recognized for its output and quality within the life sciences in the United States.