SPARC (Summer Program on Applied Rationality and Cognition) is an annual two-week summer camp for talented high school students with strong mathematical backgrounds. Founded in 2012, the program teaches quantitative reasoning, cognitive debiasing, decision theory, behavioral economics, causal modeling, and AI safety concepts through small-group classes of 6-8 students. The program is entirely free, including housing and meals, with need-based travel scholarships available. SPARC is closely connected to the effective altruism and AI safety research communities, and has inspired similar programs including ESPR in Europe.
Funding Details
- Annual Budget
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- Fiscal Sponsor
- Center for Applied Rationality (CFAR)
Theory of Change
SPARC's theory of change is that the most mathematically talented young people will disproportionately shape the future of technology and AI. By exposing this cohort to rigorous training in rationality, cognitive debiasing, AI safety concepts, and effective altruism during their formative high school years, the program aims to produce future researchers, engineers, and leaders who approach powerful technologies — especially AI — with greater care, ethical grounding, and awareness of existential risk. Building community among these students compounds the effect by creating a peer network oriented toward high-impact careers in AI safety and related fields.
Grants Received
from Long-Term Future Fund
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Details
- Last Updated
- Apr 2, 2026, 9:53 PM UTC
- Created
- Mar 19, 2026, 10:43 PM UTC