Deadline: 31-Dec-2025
The Foresight Institute’s “AI for Science & Safety” program funds ambitious projects that use AI to advance scientific discovery and strengthen global safety. Grants range from $10,000 to $100,000, with awardees gaining access to collaborative research nodes in San Francisco or Berlin, complete with office space, community support, and computing resources. The program prioritizes mission-aligned teams using AI as the core driver of innovation in areas such as secure AI systems, biotechnology, neurotechnology, privacy, and molecular nanotechnology.
Overview
The Foresight Institute has launched a visionary grant program under its AI for Science & Safety initiative, offering funding and research support to innovators advancing the safe and beneficial growth of artificial intelligence. This opportunity empowers researchers, teams, and organizations building AI-driven breakthroughs in science while mitigating global risks.
Program Purpose
The initiative is designed to harness AI as a transformative force for scientific progress and long-term safety. Supported projects may explore:
• Secure and robust AI systems
• Privacy-preserving technologies
• Decentralized cooperation and coordination mechanisms
• Neurotechnology innovations
• Longevity biotechnology
• Molecular nanotechnology and nanoscale engineering
• Other frontier AI-for-science domains
The guiding aim is to catalyze solutions that maximize the societal benefits of AI while reducing potential harms.
Funding Available
The program offers flexible support across a broad funding spectrum:
• Typical grants: $10,000–$100,000
• Larger multi-year projects: May receive staged or milestone-based funding
• Award size: Determined by project scope, ambition, and relevance to core themes
This structure allows both individual researchers and multi-disciplinary teams to pursue meaningful, high-impact work.
Unique Support Through Physical Nodes
Beyond funding, awardees gain access to one of two new Foresight research hubs (called nodes):
• San Francisco Node
• Berlin Node
Participants receive:
• Office space and collaborative work environments
• Access to computing infrastructure essential for AI research
• Workshops, events, and community-building activities
• Opportunities for cross-team collaboration and knowledge exchange
These nodes are designed to accelerate progress by embedding researchers in mission-aligned, high-energy innovation ecosystems.
Who Is Eligible?
The program welcomes:
• Individual researchers
• Early-stage teams
• Established organizations
• Independent labs or collectives
Applicants must propose projects where AI is the primary engine driving scientific advancement or safety outcomes. Strong preference is given to those intending to actively utilize the San Francisco or Berlin nodes and engage with the broader community.
Why It Matters
AI is reshaping scientific research, from molecular modeling to systems safety. This grant program matters because it:
• Supports high-risk, high-reward scientific innovation
• Builds global capacity for safe AI development
• Strengthens collaboration among technical researchers
• Provides computing, community, and office resources rare for early-stage teams
• Encourages open, equitable advancements in frontier technologies
The initiative serves as a catalyst for long-term global benefit, ensuring innovation aligns with humanity’s safety and well-being.
What Types of Projects Are Encouraged?
Projects should clearly demonstrate AI as the central tool enabling scientific or safety breakthroughs. Priority areas include:
• Alignment, robustness, and secure AI development
• AI-first biotechnology and drug discovery
• Brain–computer interfaces and neurotechnology
• Secure multi-agent cooperation or decentralized systems
• AI-driven molecular design or nanotechnology
• Safety frameworks, governance models, or risk-reduction tools
• Other transformational directions where AI accelerates discovery or safety outcomes
Proposals should articulate expected milestones, potential risks, and anticipated impact.
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
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Define a mission-aligned project where AI drives scientific progress or safety improvements.
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Prepare a clear proposal outlining goals, methodology, milestones, and societal impact.
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Describe the team’s expertise and the resources required (including compute or node usage).
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Specify budget needs within the typical $10,000–$100,000 range.
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Highlight how engagement with the San Francisco or Berlin node will enhance your project.
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Submit the application through the Foresight Institute’s designated process or portal.
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Await review based on innovation strength, feasibility, mission alignment, and potential global impact.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Proposing generic AI projects without a strong scientific or safety purpose
• Failing to show how AI is the core driver of the work
• Submitting ambitious multi-year projects with no clear milestones
• Weak justification for budget or node usage
• Overlooking safety, risk, or long-term societal impact
Clear, focused, and well-structured proposals tend to score highest.
FAQ
1. What is the typical grant size?
Between $10,000 and $100,000, depending on scope and innovativeness.
2. Do applicants need to relocate to a node?
Not necessarily, but projects are strongly preferred if applicants intend to use the San Francisco or Berlin node.
3. What kinds of projects are most competitive?
Projects where AI is essential to scientific advancement or safety, particularly in high-impact frontier fields.
4. Can organizations apply?
Yes. The program accepts proposals from individuals, teams, and organizations of varying sizes.
5. Are multi-year projects allowed?
Yes, but funding may be delivered in phases tied to milestones.
6. Is compute included?
Yes. Awardees gain access to essential computing infrastructure through the nodes.
7. Are early-career researchers eligible?
Absolutely. The program welcomes early-career innovators working on bold scientific or safety challenges.
Conclusion
The Foresight Institute’s AI for Science & Safety Grant Program presents a rare opportunity for mission-driven innovators advancing safe, beneficial, and transformative AI applications. With financial support, research space, computing power, and access to collaborative communities, the program empowers teams to accelerate groundbreaking work at the intersection of AI, science, and global safety. Projects that clearly articulate high-impact potential and embrace community engagement stand the strongest chance of being selected.
For more information, visit Foresight Institute.
