Manifund AI Safety Regranting
By Manifund
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Quick Answer
Fast AI-safety grants from Manifund's expert regrantors, who each hold their own budget and fund individuals and projects directly. No fixed size or deadline.
About this grant
Manifund AI Safety Regranting is a funding route run by Manifund, a US-registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, in which independent AI-safety experts called regrantors each hold their own budget and decide which projects to fund. The program is open with no deadline, and grants can be made in days, not months. The source states no fixed grant size.
What the program offers
A regrantor is an expert who has been given a budget to spend using their own judgement. Because one person decides, there is no committee to wait for. The regrantor writes an explanation of why they are funding your project, and Manifund then reviews the grant before money moves. If it is approved, the money goes to your Manifund account and you request a withdrawal, after which Manifund sends the funds.
The source gives no minimum or maximum grant size. The examples shown on the page range from US$11,000 (about ₹10.5 lakh) to US$200,000 (about ₹1.9 crore), but those are examples of past regrants, not limits. Manifund also acts as fiscal sponsor, so regrantors can fund individuals and projects that are not registered charities.
Who can apply
Manifund says there are no official cause-area restrictions, but most regrantors concentrate on reducing global catastrophic risk, especially risk from AI. Registered charities and individuals can receive regrants. For-profit organisations may be eligible, subject to due diligence. Donations to political campaigns and lobbying are not allowed. Projects run by the regrantors themselves are allowed only in some cases and face a stricter review.
The page does not list eligible countries and says nothing that bars applicants from India. What it does say is that Manifund is US-registered. An Indian researcher, student or founder working on AI safety can therefore look at this route, but the source does not explain how cross-border payment, currency or tax work. It suits independent researchers, small teams and early projects in AI safety. It does not suit projects that need to keep the grant private, or work that is not connected to the regrantors' interests.
How to apply
There is no single application form described on the source page. The route is to post your project on Manifund through its open call so that regrantors can find it. Regrantors can also contact people directly and fund projects they hear about elsewhere. A practical tip: write a clear project page with what you will do, what it costs and what result you expect, because the regrantor must write a public explanation for funding you.
How applications are judged and what happens next
Each regrantor decides on their own from their own budget. Once a regrantor commits money, Manifund checks the grant for legitimacy, legality and fit with its mission. Manifund may veto a grant for any reason, though it expects to usually go along with the regrantor's judgement. After approval the money moves to your Manifund account, and Manifund pays out once you request a withdrawal. The source gives no further timeline.
About Manifund
Manifund is a US-registered 501(c)(3) non-profit that serves as a fiscal sponsor, which lets donors give with tax benefits and lets projects without their own charity status receive funding. It says its regranting program was inspired by earlier regranting and rapid-grant efforts, and it highlights speed, flexibility and trust in individual experts as its strengths.
Things to check before you apply
- All grant information is public. This includes the regrantor, the recipient, the project description, the amount and the regrantor's write-up. If your grant cannot be public, Manifund suggests other funders.
- The source does not describe payment methods, currencies or timelines beyond the days-not-months claim. Indian recipients should check foreign-exchange and tax treatment with an adviser.
- The source does not describe a fixed application form or review criteria, so the open call page is where you need to read the current rules.
- The source does not mention an application fee. Large donors are asked to cover a fiscal sponsorship fee, but that is a donor matter, not a charge to grantees.
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
A regrantor commits part of their budget to your project; once Manifund approves, the money lands in your Manifund account and you request a withdrawal. There is no fixed grant size; example regrants on the page range from US$11,000 to US$200,000 (about ₹10.5 lakh to ₹1.9 crore).
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Selection Process
Each regrantor decides from their own budget and writes an explanation. Manifund reviews each grant for legitimacy, legality and fit with its mission, and may veto any grant, though it usually defers to the regrantor.
Application Process
- 1
Post project
List your project on Manifund through the open call.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
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 get an AI Safety Regranting grant from Manifund?
Registered charities and individuals can receive regrants, and projects that are not yet registered charities can be funded. For-profit organisations may be eligible after due diligence. Political campaigns and lobbying are not funded.
Can Indian researchers and startups apply to Manifund regranting?
The source lists no eligible countries and no ban on India. It only says Manifund is a US-registered 501(c)(3). It does not explain how payments to people abroad work, so ask Manifund before relying on it.
How much funding does Manifund regranting give?
There is no fixed grant size. Example regrants on the page range from US$11,000 (about ₹10.5 lakh) to US$200,000 (about ₹1.9 crore). The amount depends on the regrantor and your project.
How is Manifund grant money paid?
After Manifund approves a grant, the money moves to your Manifund account. You then request a withdrawal and Manifund sends the funds. The source does not describe currencies or payment methods.
Is there a deadline for Manifund AI Safety Regranting, and what if I miss it?
The source states no deadline, so the route is open. Regrantors choose projects from the open call or find them elsewhere, so you can post a project at any time.
Is Manifund regranting a grant or equity?
The source describes grants, with Manifund acting as fiscal sponsor. It does not mention taking equity. For-profit applicants face due diligence.
What do I need to prepare for Manifund regranting?
The source does not list required documents. You post your project on Manifund through its open call. A clear description of the work, the amount you need and the expected result helps the regrantor write their explanation.
Do I have to travel for a Manifund grant?
The source does not mention any travel requirement. The process described is online, through your Manifund account.
Is it free to apply for Manifund regranting?
The source does not state any application fee. The 5 per cent fiscal sponsorship fee it mentions is asked of large donors, not of grantees.
Will my Manifund grant be public?
Yes. All grant information is public, including the regrantor, the recipient, the project description, the amount and the regrantor's write-up. If your grant cannot be public, Manifund suggests applying to other funders.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
