Foresight Institute
ZviForesight Institute is a San Francisco-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1986 by Christine Peterson and K. Eric Drexler to support the development of nanotechnology and promote beneficial outcomes from transformative technologies. The organization advances frontier science through grants, prizes, fellowships, and events across five focus areas: Secure AI, Nanotechnology, Longevity Biotechnology, Neurotechnology, and Existential Hope. Led by CEO Allison Duettmann, Foresight operates an AI Safety grants program distributing $4.5-5.5 million annually, runs the prestigious Feynman Prize in Nanotechnology (whose past laureates include future Nobel Prize winners), and hosts annual Vision Weekend conferences bringing together scientists, entrepreneurs, and policymakers.
Funding Details
- Annual Budget
- $3,749,519
- Monthly Burn Rate
- $312,460
- Current Runway
- -
- Funding Goal
- -
- Funding Raised to Date
- -
- Fiscal Sponsor
- -
Theory of Change
Foresight Institute believes that transformative technologies like AI, nanotechnology, and biotechnology will be among the most consequential developments in human history, carrying both enormous promise and serious risks. Their theory of change operates on several levels: First, by funding underexplored and unconventional approaches to AI safety (such as computer security, cryptographic methods, game-theoretic frameworks, and neurotechnology-based approaches), they aim to diversify the safety research portfolio beyond mainstream alignment work. Second, through their Tech Trees -- visual maps of technical paths toward beneficial outcomes -- they help the field identify key bottlenecks and coordinate research efforts. Third, their fellowship, prizes, and events build a community of ambitious researchers who internalize both the opportunities and dangers of frontier technology early in their careers. Fourth, their Existential Hope program reframes the conversation from pure risk mitigation to actively mapping and pursuing positive futures, generating common knowledge needed to coordinate toward flourishing outcomes rather than merely avoiding catastrophe. The overall causal chain runs from identifying promising researchers and neglected technical approaches, to funding and connecting them, to accelerating development of safety-relevant technologies and building a culture of responsible innovation in frontier science.
Grants Received
from Survival and Flourishing Fund
from Survival and Flourishing Fund
from Survival and Flourishing Fund
Projects
The Foresight Fellowship is a year-long program by the Foresight Institute that supports early-career scientists, engineers, and innovators working on transformative technologies including AI safety, longevity, nanotechnology, and neurotechnology.
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Details
- Last Updated
- Apr 2, 2026, 9:58 PM UTC
- Created
- Mar 18, 2026, 11:18 PM UTC