Global Catastrophic Risks Opportunities
We support work on reducing global catastrophic risks that falls outside our dedicated AI and biosecurity funds.
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300+grants made
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$550+million given
About the Fund
Team
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Ben EscheInterim Program Director
A global catastrophic risk (GCR) is one that could cause severe or even irreversible harm to humans on a global scale, like a pandemic that collapses the world economy. And as technology advances, new GCRs could emerge from fields like advanced AI or bioengineering; we primarily focus on these two areas.
Despite the stakes, relatively few people research GCRs or work full-time to prevent them, and the work receives relatively little philanthropic and institutional funding.
Coefficient’s work on global catastrophic risks largely falls under two other funds: Navigating Transformative AI and Biosecurity & Pandemic Preparedness. This fund complements those efforts by supporting cross-cutting and foundational work, including projects that strengthen the broader ecosystem of people and organizations addressing global catastrophic risks.
Our grantmaking is focused on:
- Academic research and research fellowships to deepen understanding of these issues and of potential interventions.
- Field-building, coordination, and community support, including projects that strengthen the effective altruism movement and other networks directing talent and resources toward mitigating GCRs.
- Career development and transition support for students and professionals seeking to work on reducing GCRs.
A Call for Founders
Project Tailwind
We’re looking for exceptional people to engage seriously with the risks of transformative AI, and to launch the institutions that will help humanity navigate them. Our grantmakers have published a list of high-priority projects — but we expect the very best founders will have strong opinions on the best approach to reduce catastrophic AI risks, and we want to hear them.
