EA Infrastructure Fund Grant
By EA Funds
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Quick Answer
Always-open grants of US$1,000–500,000 (about ₹95,000–₹4.75 crore) for projects that grow and strengthen effective altruism work. Open to applicants from any country.
About this grant
The EA Infrastructure Fund (formerly the EA Meta Fund) is a grant fund run by EA Funds, part of the Centre for Effective Altruism. It backs projects that use the principles of effective altruism and help more people, money and knowledge reach good causes. Grants range from US$1,000 to US$500,000 (about ₹95,000 to ₹4.75 crore), and the fund is always open, so there is no application deadline.
What the program offers
The fund pays grants of between US$1,000 and US$500,000 (about ₹95,000 to ₹4.75 crore). It is a grant, not an investment, and the source describes no equity being taken. Where other EA Funds back direct work on a single cause, this one funds the work that multiplies the impact of direct work: finding and training people, building communities, and creating the tools and ideas other projects rely on.
It supports projects that spread or develop effective altruism principles, help recruit talented people to important problems, build a global community of people who use those principles in decisions, research how to prioritise between and within cause areas, raise funds for or support other highly effective projects, and improve community health and healthy norms of discussion. The scope covers global wellbeing (including animal welfare), longtermism and cause-general work. Past grants have paid for a strategic retreat for community builders, a cross-cause prioritisation tool, an online course, a coworking office, a national group's fundraising platform and a podcast. Featured examples on the page ranged from about US$5,000 to US$93,000, which shows that mid-sized grants are common.
Who can apply
EA Funds says it funds people, projects, non-profits and institutions, and it accepts applications from any country. You do not need to be a registered charity, so individuals and unregistered groups can apply. The project itself must use effective altruism principles, for example by growing the community, researching cause prioritisation or raising money for highly effective charities.
For an Indian founder, student group or NGO, this means you can apply directly, for instance to start or grow a local effective altruism group, run events, or build a tool for the community. It is not a general startup grant. A commercial company with no link to effective altruism ideas is not a fit.
How to apply
Applications are made through an online form linked from the EA Funds apply-for-funding page, where you pick the EA Infrastructure Fund. The page says the form takes less than an hour. Explain what you plan to do, why it helps people reach or act on effective altruism ideas, what it will cost, and who will do the work. The readable source does not list required attachments. A practical tip: say what success would look like in a year, since the fund funds work meant to multiply other work.
How applications are judged and what happens next
The fund team, with input from fund advisors, assesses each proposal. The pages that could be read do not publish scoring criteria for this fund, and they do not state decision times. After the fund recommends a grant, Effective Ventures checks case by case whether it is legally possible before the grant can be paid. The fund publishes payout reports, which show who has been funded and how much, so you can compare your idea to past grants.
About EA Funds and the Infrastructure Fund
EA Funds is operated by the Centre for Effective Altruism. The Infrastructure Fund aims to increase the impact of projects that use effective altruism principles by improving their access to talent, capital and knowledge. The page lists many past payout reports, so there is a long public record of what it has funded.
Things to check before you apply
- This fund suits people who agree with the fund's approach. The page itself notes a reason not to donate if you disagree with its rationale, so read how it works first.
- Legal feasibility is checked after a grant is recommended. Indian recipients of foreign money should check FCRA, FEMA and tax treatment with an adviser before applying.
- The readable pages do not state response times, reporting duties or renewal rules.
- A practical tip: look through the published payout reports and match your request to the size and type of grants already made.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
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
EA Funds grants range between US$1,000 and US$500,000 (about ₹95,000 to ₹4.75 crore). The Infrastructure Fund has historically made strategic grants to incubate and grow projects, including salaries and stipends, event budgets and 12-month operating budgets for new initiatives.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Selection Process
The EA Infrastructure Fund team, with fund advisors, assesses each proposal. After the fund recommends a grant, Effective Ventures checks case by case whether it is legally possible to make it.
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
Can Indian founders and groups apply to the EA Infrastructure Fund?
Yes. EA Funds accepts applications from any country, so people and groups in India can apply. The project must still use effective altruism principles. Check legal and tax rules for receiving foreign money before you apply.
Who can apply to the EA Infrastructure Fund?
EA Funds can make grants to individuals, non-profit organisations, academic institutions and other entities. The project has to use the principles of effective altruism. If you are unsure whether you fit, you can still apply or ask EA Funds a specific question.
How much does the EA Infrastructure Fund give?
Grants range from US$1,000 to US$500,000 (about ₹95,000 to ₹4.75 crore). Featured grants on the fund page ranged from about US$5,000 to US$93,000. The readable pages do not explain how amounts are set beyond the fund's assessment.
Is there a deadline for the EA Infrastructure Fund?
No. EA Funds says it is always open to applications, so you can apply at any time. The readable pages do not say how often decisions are made, so ask the team if timing matters for your project.
Do I need to be a registered charity to apply?
No. Individuals and unregistered organisations are eligible. The fund says grants to U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profits or UK charities are often easier to make, and Effective Ventures checks legal feasibility case by case after a grant is recommended.
Is the EA Infrastructure Fund a grant or equity?
It is a grant fund and the source describes no equity taken. It supports projects, not companies for profit. Expect to explain what the money will achieve rather than offer a share of a business.
What kind of projects does the EA Infrastructure Fund fund?
It funds projects that spread effective altruism principles, recruit talented people to important problems, build a global community, research how to prioritise causes, raise money for highly effective projects and improve community health. Past examples include an online course, a coworking office, a podcast and a national group's fundraising platform.
Is it a startup grant?
Not in the usual sense. It is aimed at effective altruism community and infrastructure work, not at building a commercial product. A founder whose venture is a tool or service for that community could still apply, but a company with no link to those ideas is not a fit.
What do I need to submit and how long does it take?
You fill in an online form that EA Funds says takes less than an hour. The readable pages do not list required documents, so check the form. A practical tip: have a short plan, a budget and the names of the people doing the work ready.
How is the money paid out?
The source does not describe payment steps. It says that after a grant is recommended, Effective Ventures checks case by case whether it is legally feasible. Payment timing and currency are not stated.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
