AI for Science & Safety Nodes RFP
Application deadline
31st October 2026Request for Proposals
Hubs in San Francisco and Berlin · Funding, compute, and community space.
What is Foresight Institute?
Foresight Institute is a San Francisco-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit marking its 40th year funding and connecting pioneers in AI, neurotechnology, longevity biotechnology, space, and nanotechnology. Founded in 1986 by Eric Drexler and Christine Peterson, Foresight has spent the last four decades supporting the science of the long future and advanced AI now bears directly on that project. If the transition to highly capable AI goes well, much of what Foresight envisioned 40 years ago becomes reachable far sooner than expected. If it goes badly, the capacity to pursue the long future at all may be lost.
The window to decide which way this goes is still open but is being set now. It seems like largely by default the world is in a sort of slouching toward AGI fashion. This request for proposals is our response.
What is this RFP about?
We are looking for ambitious projects that use AI as the primary engine of progress on two connected problems: making the transition to capable AI go well, and using that transition to unlock science that matters. We believe that there are other areas that are also important for AI to go well, but our focus for this RFP is on things we think are largely neglected and that Foresight is uniquely suited to funding.
The call spans three connected layers:
- I. Local compute is focused on building and providing compute that individuals or communities physically own and control, giving them a chance at agency in the next decade.
- II. Coordination and accountability is exploring the ways humans and/ or AI systems could interact better, and how independent institutions can assess AI risk and create better incentives around it. RFP areas include supercollaboration and decentralized alignment, human empowerment, and AI insurance and open governance.
- III. AI-first science: Bio, Neuro, Nano is focused on the work a good AI transition makes possible. RFP areas include automated nanotechnology, whole-brain-emulation and frontier bio areas like replacement, enhancement or biostasis.
We are particularly looking for AI-first work. This means that we are looking for projects where AI is not tapped onto an existing research program, or where previously the project would have been too expensive, slow, complex, or difficult to do without AI. Strong proposals will identify narrow bottlenecks and propose something that can actually be built, tested, or measured. Instead of large team budgets, this means smart allocation of resources and compute to automate workflows.
Selected projects can receive grant funding, private local compute, and workspace in our San Francisco or Berlin AI Nodes, along with travel-paid field-building events and access to Foresight’s advisors and scientific network. We strongly prioritize applicants who want to be active, in-person contributors to the research ecosystem at the Nodes, such as regularly working out of the Node or spending dedicated time at either Nodes for sprints. Typical grants range between $30,000 – $100,000 for this RFP but larger amounts are possible for the right project.
FAQ
Proposals are first reviewed in-house for fit and quality. Strong submissions are sent to technical advisors for further evaluation. If your proposal advances, we may follow up with written questions or a short call. If you choose to opt into Lightcone Commons sharing, Foresight may also share selected applications with Lightcone Commons for evaluation, and possible additional funding consideration.
Unfortunately, due to the number of applications we receive, we are unable to provide individual feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
- Alignment with the specific RFP focus area: the degree to which the project addresses the selected focus area as outlined in the RFP
- Impact on reducing existential risks from AI: the extent to which the project can reduce existential risks associated with AI, focusing on achieving significant advancements within short timelines.
- Feasibility within short AGI timelines: the project’s ability to achieve meaningful progress within the anticipated short timeframes for AGI development. We prioritize projects that can demonstrate concrete milestones and deliverables in the next 1-3 years.
- AI-first work: Instead of large team budgets, this means smart allocation of resources and compute to automate workflows.
- Capability to execute: the qualifications, experience, and resources of the applicant(s) to successfully carry out the proposed work. Strong teams with proven expertise in the field will be prioritized.
- High-risk, high-reward potential: the level of risk involved in the project, balanced with the potential for substantial, transformative impact on the future of AI safety. We encourage speculative, high-risk projects with the potential to drive significant change if successful.
- Requirement for open source: We require the work product (code, data, and outputs) of the funding to be open-sourced.
- We fund both short-term and longer projects. Grants are typically paid in one lump sum. However, for larger projects spanning multiple years, payments may be made in tranches, with each subsequent tranche contingent upon the successful completion and reporting of previous milestones.
- We can fund overhead costs up to 10% of direct research costs, where these directly support the funded work.
- Successful applicants must pass our due diligence process, which includes confirming your connections to Foresight Institute, sharing any ongoing criminal proceedings, bankruptcy, tax documents etc., and sharing an itemized budget, project plan and organizational documents.
- By accepting funding, grantees agree that we may list their project on our website and share the project title and project lead on for example social media. If you prefer for your project to remain private, please inform us.
- Grants are subject to basic reporting requirements. Grantees are expected to submit brief progress updates at regular intervals, describing use of funds and progress against agreed milestones.
- Tax obligations vary by country and organization type. Applicants are responsible for understanding and complying with any applicable tax requirements.