Deadline: December 19, 2025
The OpenAI AI and Mental Health Grant Program 2026 is a global research funding initiative designed to support independent, high‑quality research at the intersection of artificial intelligence and mental health. The programme seeks to advance understanding, develop responsible tools, and generate evidence‑based insights that improve how AI systems recognise, interpret, and respond to human mental and emotional well‑being.
The OpenAI AI and Mental Health Grant Program 2026 forms part of OpenAI’s broader commitment to AI safety, alignment, and human‑centred innovation, with a strong emphasis on ethical, inclusive, and socially responsible research.
Grant Overview
This grant programme supports research projects that explore how AI technologies interact with mental health contexts, including emotional distress, psychological well‑being, cultural nuance, and safe human‑AI interaction. Funded projects are expected to contribute actionable findings that can inform AI development, policy, evaluation methods, or real‑world applications.
Research outputs may include new methodologies, datasets, analytical frameworks, evaluation tools, or published insights that advance the global conversation on AI and mental health.
Funding Information
- Total funding available: Up to USD 2,000,000
- Grant size per project: Between USD 5,000 and USD 100,000
- Funding purpose: Research‑focused projects only
Funding is intended to support research activities such as data collection, analysis, evaluation design, tool development, and dissemination of findings related to AI and mental health.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be affiliated with a research institution, academic body, non‑profit organisation, or demonstrate significant experience in mental health research
- Projects must be research‑driven in nature
The programme prioritises academic and non‑profit research. For‑profit commercial product development is not the primary focus of this funding opportunity.
Priority Research Areas
While proposals are not limited to a fixed list, research themes of interest include (but are not limited to):
- AI systems’ ability to recognise and respond appropriately to emotional distress
- Cultural, linguistic, and contextual variations in mental health expression
- Evaluation frameworks for AI behaviour in sensitive mental health scenarios
- Pro‑social and supportive AI interactions
- Development of datasets, benchmarks, and safety‑oriented research tools
- Ethical considerations and responsible deployment of AI in mental health contexts
Projects that demonstrate strong ethical grounding, inclusivity, and potential for broader impact are especially encouraged.
Application Timeline
- Application deadline: 19 December 2025
- Review process: Rolling review by internal and external experts
- Notification of selected applicants: On or before 15 January 2026
Applicants are encouraged to submit well before the deadline to allow sufficient time for preparation and review.
Selection and Review Process
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Relevance to AI and mental health research priorities
- Research quality, clarity, and feasibility
- Ethical considerations and safeguards
- Potential contribution to the field and broader societal impact
Selected projects may also contribute insights that inform future AI safety and well‑being initiatives.
Why Apply for the OpenAI AI and Mental Health Grant Program 2026?
- Access to competitive international research funding
- Opportunity to influence responsible AI development
- Contribution to global mental health and well‑being research
- Visibility within a growing ecosystem of AI safety and mental health scholars
Need Support with Your Application?
If you need professional support with proposal drafting, refining, or review, contact us to increase the strength, clarity, and competitiveness of your submission.
