Global Catastrophic Risks Opportunities Fund

Global Catastrophic Risks Opportunities Fund — Career Development & Transition

Funds individual transitions into global catastrophic risk work through career development support.

Eligibility · Global — open worldwide

The Global Catastrophic Risks Opportunities Fund, administered by Coefficient Giving, runs a continuously open application track for individuals at any career stage who wish to pursue graduate study, professional training, or self-study oriented toward reducing global catastrophic risks. Coefficient Giving (formerly Open Philanthropy) launched this fund as part of its broader mission to counter threats to civilization, with particular emphasis on AI risk mitigation and global catastrophic biological risks. The career development and transition track accepts applications from anyone — early-career, mid-career, or late-career individuals — who wants to redirect their professional trajectory toward work on these problems. A parallel track under the same fund supports programs and events on global catastrophic risks and effective altruism topics.

Eligible activities under the career development track include graduate study (master's degrees, PhDs, MPPs, law degrees), unpaid internships, independent study periods, career transition and exploration, postdoctoral positions, professional certifications, online courses, and sabbaticals. For-profit organizations and institutions are not eligible under this track; only individuals, nonprofits, and universities may receive funding. Award amounts are not published by the fund. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with no stated submission deadline. The fund notes it aims to respond to applicants within approximately 6 weeks of receipt.

The application asks for a project proposal of up to 250 words, a personal statement of up to 250 words, a budget of up to half a page, a CV of up to two pages, and transcripts where applicable. Applicants must demonstrate a funding gap — the activity must not be covered by other available sources. The fund is open to applicants from any country and maintains a high bar for impact potential, prioritizing individuals who can credibly move into AI safety research, biosecurity, or adjacent catastrophic risk work. Strong applicants typically have relevant technical or policy backgrounds and a clear explanation of how the proposed activity advances their ability to work on global catastrophic risks.