Deadline: December 31, 2025
The Foresight Institute AI for Safety & Science Nodes 2026 is a global funding opportunity designed to support ambitious projects, research hubs, and collaborative nodes that apply artificial intelligence (AI) to advance scientific progress while prioritising safety, decentralisation, and long‑term human benefit. The programme seeks to strengthen ecosystems that reduce systemic risks from advanced AI and accelerate positive, high‑impact scientific breakthroughs.
The Foresight Institute AI for Safety & Science Nodes 2026 focuses on enabling distributed, cooperative efforts rather than centralised control of AI capabilities, fostering a future where AI development is safer, more transparent, and more broadly beneficial.
Programme Overview
This initiative supports the creation and growth of AI research and innovation nodes—teams, labs, or community‑based hubs working at the intersection of AI, science, and safety. Funded projects are expected to contribute meaningfully to reducing AI‑related risks, improving scientific epistemics, or enabling transformative technologies that benefit humanity in the long term.
The programme welcomes both early‑stage and established initiatives, particularly those with bold ideas, strong technical foundations, and a clear pathway to real‑world impact.
Funding Amount and Support
- Total funding available: Up to USD 3 million per year.
- Typical grant size: Between USD 10,000 and USD 100,000 per project.
- Larger grants: May be awarded to projects with a strong emphasis on AI safety and existential risk reduction.
Beyond direct funding, selected projects may also receive:
- Access to community spaces and collaborative environments.
- Programming support and integration into a global research network.
- Potential access to in‑house compute resources, where relevant.
Priority Focus Areas
The programme supports a wide range of high‑impact focus areas, including but not limited to:
AI for Security
Development of AI systems that autonomously enhance cyber security, digital defence, and resilience against emerging threats.
Private AI
Advancing privacy‑preserving AI, secure computation, and systems that protect sensitive data while maintaining high performance.
Decentralised and Cooperative AI
Building decentralised AI systems, cooperative intelligence frameworks, and tools that reduce concentration of power in AI development.
AI for Science and Epistemics
AI tools and platforms that accelerate scientific discovery, improve forecasting, strengthen knowledge creation, and enhance decision‑making under uncertainty.
AI for Neurotechnology and Brain‑Computer Interfaces
Frontier AI models that support understanding, mapping, and simulation of biological intelligence and neural systems.
AI for Longevity Biotechnology
Application of AI to biotechnology fields such as aging research, gene therapy, and healthspan extension.
AI for Molecular Nanotechnology
AI‑driven design, simulation, and control of nanoscale machines and molecular manufacturing systems.
Who Can Apply
- Individuals, teams, and organisations from any country are eligible.
- Applications are open to both non‑profit and for‑profit entities.
- For‑profit applicants must clearly explain why grant funding is necessary for their work.
Collaborative and interdisciplinary teams are strongly encouraged.
Selection and Evaluation Criteria
Applications are evaluated based on the following key criteria:
- Potential impact on reducing existential or systemic risks from AI.
- Alignment with the programme’s priority focus areas.
- Feasibility and relevance within near‑term AI and AGI development timelines.
- Strength, experience, and execution capacity of the team.
- Willingness to pursue high‑risk, high‑reward ideas with transformative potential.
- Preference for open‑source or openly shared approaches, where appropriate.
Application Timeline
- Application deadline: 31 December 2025.
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed monthly until all nodes reach capacity.
- Early applications are encouraged due to limited funding availability.
Why This Opportunity Matters
As AI capabilities advance rapidly, the need for thoughtful, safety‑aligned, and decentralised innovation has never been greater. This programme plays a critical role in shaping a future where AI accelerates science, strengthens global cooperation, and minimises long‑term risks to humanity.
Need Support With Your Application?
We provide professional support for proposal drafting, proposal refining, and proposal review to help applicants present strong, competitive submissions aligned with funder expectations.
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