EA Funds Transformative AI Fund Grant
By EA Funds
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Quick Answer
Early grants of typically US$10,000–150,000 (about ₹9.5 lakh–₹1.43 crore) for new projects reducing risks from advanced AI. Always open for applications.
About this grant
The Transformative AI Fund is run by EA Funds, part of the Centre for Effective Altruism, and replaced the Long-Term Future Fund. It makes early, fast grants to people and organisations starting new work that reduces global catastrophic risks from advanced AI. Grants are typically US$10,000–150,000 (about ₹9.5 lakh–₹1.43 crore), and the fund is always open, so there is no deadline. This is a mission-driven funder for AI safety work, not a general startup grant, so only founders whose project directly serves that goal should apply.
What the program offers
The fund describes its money as early, fast and tolerant of failure. Typical grants are between US$10,000 and US$150,000 (about ₹9.5 lakh–₹1.43 crore), and they rarely exceed US$300,000 (about ₹2.85 crore). The fund explains why small early grants matter: a first grant of around US$25,000 can decide whether a pilot happens at all, and many large institutional funders prefer bigger grants, which leaves a gap for very early work.
The page lists the kinds of activity it backs. These are getting a new individual, organisational or existing-organisation project started; training for researchers or practitioners and field-building infrastructure; technical research, policy analysis, forecasting, advocacy and demonstration projects that directly reduce catastrophic risk from AI; and work on other effects of transformative AI, such as flourishing futures and digital sentience. The page expects the last group to be a minority of grants. The source does not say how grants are paid out or in which currency.
Who can apply
The page names three kinds of applicant: individuals, new organisations, and existing organisations starting a new project. It does not list further eligibility conditions in the text I could read, and it sets no country limit there. The fund does not currently fund biosecurity or nuclear work, except where it overlaps with AI.
For an Indian founder or researcher this means you can apply as an individual or through an organisation if your project is about reducing risks from advanced AI. It suits AI-safety researchers, policy and forecasting analysts and people building training or community infrastructure for the field. It does not suit a commercial AI product startup, an AI tool built for ordinary business use, or work that has no link to catastrophic AI risk.
How to apply
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. You can use the fund's own application form or the general Apply for funding page on EA Funds. A practical tip: write your application around the specific risk you want to reduce, what you will do in the first months and what a small first grant would let you test. Questions can be sent to the fund managers using the contact details on the fund page.
How applications are judged and what happens next
A full-time team at EA Funds runs the fund, with two advisers. The page does not describe the review steps, how long a decision takes, or how a payment is arranged. It simply says the fund is quick and early. The team says it reviews thousands of applications and tracks how funded work turns out.
About EA Funds
EA Funds is part of the Centre for Effective Altruism, which was created during Y Combinator's Winter 2017 batch. Besides the Transformative AI Fund it runs funds for animal welfare, effective altruism infrastructure, and global health and development. It receives additional funding from Coefficient Giving and works closely with GiveWell and Giving What We Can. The Centre for Effective Altruism, Inc. is a registered US 501(c)(3) public charity, and the UK entities are companies limited by guarantee.
Things to check before you apply
- The fund backs AI safety and related work only; biosecurity and nuclear work is out unless it intersects with AI.
- Earlier text on this listing said individuals do not need to be registered charities and that legal checks happen after a grant is recommended. The page text I could read does not describe that, so ask the fund before you rely on it.
- The source states no decision timeline and no payout currency.
- A practical tip: if you are an Indian entity or individual receiving money from abroad, ask an adviser about foreign-remittance and tax rules before you accept.
Eligibility
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Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
Benefits & Funding
- Fund type
- Grant
What You Get
The fund makes early-stage grants, typically US$10,000–150,000 (about ₹9.5 lakh–₹1.43 crore) and rarely above US$300,000 (about ₹2.85 crore). It aims to be fast and tolerant of failure, and is a go-to funder for new projects whether they come from one person, a new organisation or an existing organisation trying something new.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Selection Process
A full-time team at EA Funds runs the fund, with advisers. The page does not describe review steps or timing, only that the fund is meant to be early, fast and tolerant of failure.
Application Process
- 1
Apply
Submit the online application at any time.
You - 2
- 3
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the EA Funds Transformative AI Fund?
Individuals, new organisations and existing organisations starting a new project can apply. The work should mainly reduce global catastrophic risks from advanced AI. Biosecurity and nuclear work is not funded unless it overlaps with AI.
Can Indian startups and researchers apply to the Transformative AI Fund?
The page text I could read sets no country limit, so Indian applicants are not excluded. The project must be about AI safety or related effects of transformative AI. A commercial AI product company is not a fit.
How much does the Transformative AI Fund give?
Grants are typically US$10,000–150,000 (about ₹9.5 lakh–₹1.43 crore) and rarely above US$300,000 (about ₹2.85 crore).
How are Transformative AI Fund grants paid?
The page does not describe payment method, currency or schedule. Ask the fund managers through the contact on the fund page.
What is the deadline for the Transformative AI Fund, and what if it has passed?
There is no deadline. The fund is always open and takes applications on an ongoing basis, so you can apply whenever your project is ready.
Is the Transformative AI Fund a grant or equity?
It makes grants. The page does not mention the fund taking equity in a company.
What do I need to apply to the Transformative AI Fund?
You complete the fund's application form, describing your project and how it helps the transition to advanced AI go well. The page does not list other required documents.
What kinds of projects does the fund support?
It supports starting new projects, training and field-building, technical research, policy analysis, forecasting, advocacy and demonstration projects, plus a smaller number of projects on other effects of transformative AI.
Do I have to travel for the grant?
The source mentions no travel or in-person requirement. Applications are made online.
Is it free to apply, and when will I hear back?
The page does not mention a fee and gives no decision timeline. It describes the fund as early and fast, and lets you send questions to the fund managers.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
