Apply Now: AI for Science and Safety Nodes Grant Program

Deadline: 31-Oct-2026

Foresight Institute is inviting individuals, teams, and organizations worldwide to apply for grants, workspace, and compute resources through its AI for Science & Safety Nodes initiative. The program supports open projects that use artificial intelligence as a primary engine for scientific discovery and AI safety, with typical grants ranging from $30,000 to $100,000 and larger awards possible for exceptional proposals. The initiative is building a decentralized network of physical and virtual research hubs where researchers and builders can access funding, infrastructure, community, and technical resources. Projects are encouraged to focus on locally owned compute infrastructure, AI risk assessment and governance, and AI-first science in areas such as biotechnology, neurotechnology, and nanotechnology, with an emphasis on open-source work and significant progress within short AGI timelines. The AI for Science & Safety Nodes initiative was created by Foresight Institute to develop a decentralized network of physical and virtual hubs supporting AI-powered science and the safe development of artificial intelligence.

The initiative aims to:

Established Nodes are located in San Francisco and Berlin, while a new xNode in Cape Town expands the network to another region. The Request for Proposals (RFP) focuses on ambitious projects where AI is a primary driver of scientific advancement or safety. The program has three core areas. Projects can focus on developing and providing locally owned computing infrastructure that enables researchers and communities to access the resources needed for AI-based scientific work. This area emphasizes infrastructure that can strengthen local research capacity and support open AI development. The program supports work exploring mechanisms for coordination and accountability related to AI risk assessment and governance. Projects may investigate approaches that help: The initiative also supports scientific projects where AI serves as a primary engine of discovery.

Relevant fields include:

Projects should demonstrate ambitious scientific goals and a clear role for AI in achieving them.

Typical grants range from:

Larger awards may be available for exceptional proposals.

Funding can generally be provided:

Overhead costs of up to 10% of direct research costs may also be funded. Financial support is only one component of the initiative. Selected projects may also receive access to: These resources are intended to help grantees accelerate their research and become part of the broader Node ecosystem.

The program is open worldwide to:

Applicants do not have to be based in a particular country. However, applicants are strongly encouraged to become active, in-person contributors to the Node research ecosystem. The initiative prioritizes projects that are: Applicants should clearly demonstrate why AI is central to the proposed project rather than simply being an optional supporting tool. All funded work must be open-sourced. Applicants should therefore consider from the beginning: This open-source requirement applies to funded work under the initiative. Successful applicants are required to comply with Foresight’s due diligence requirements. This includes providing information such as: Applicants should be prepared to provide clear and accurate organizational and financial information. The initiative combines funding with physical infrastructure, computing resources, and a research community. This approach is intended to help researchers and builders: The Node model also encourages researchers to work within an active ecosystem rather than operating as isolated projects. Applicants should clearly demonstrate how their project fits within the program’s mission and one or more of its three core areas.

A strong proposal should explain:

Applicants should also prepare the required organizational documentation and an itemized budget for due diligence. Applicants should keep the following requirements in mind:

Applicants should avoid:

A strong proposal should:

It is a Foresight Institute initiative supporting researchers and builders working on open AI-first science and AI safety through funding, compute resources, workspace, and research community access. Typical grants range from $30,000 to $100,000, with larger awards possible for exceptional proposals. Individuals, teams, and organizations worldwide can apply, including both non-profit and for-profit entities. The program focuses on locally owned compute infrastructure, AI risk assessment and governance, and AI-first science in fields such as biotechnology, neurotechnology, and nanotechnology. Yes. All funded work must be open-sourced. Yes. Selected projects may receive access to private compute clusters, workspace in San Francisco or Berlin, travel-paid field-building events, and Foresight’s scientific network. Yes. Overhead costs of up to 10% of direct research costs may be funded. Grants are generally paid as a lump sum or in tranches for multi-year projects. Yes. The program is open to both non-profit and for-profit entities. Yes. Applicants are strongly encouraged to be active, in-person contributors to the Node research ecosystem. Grantees are required to comply with due diligence requirements, including sharing organizational documents and an itemized budget. The initiative has established Nodes in San Francisco and Berlin, along with a new xNode in Cape Town. The AI for Science & Safety Nodes initiative provides funding and infrastructure for individuals, teams, and organizations developing open AI-first approaches to scientific discovery and AI safety. With typical grants of $30,000–$100,000, access to compute and workspace, and integration into Foresight’s scientific network, the program supports ambitious projects focused on AI-enabled science, AI risk governance, and locally owned computing infrastructure. For more information, visit Foresight Institute.