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AI2050 funds people rather than projects, and it frames the work with an unusual prompt that shapes what gets funded: it is 2050, AI has turned out to be hugely beneficial to society - what happened?
Fellows are asked to work backwards from that counterfactual on what Schmidt Sciences calls the Hard Problems in AI, organised into three categories: the technical capabilities of AI systems, the responsible deployment of AI, and securing societal benefit from AI.
In practice this spans alignment with human values, model robustness, interpretability, economic effects, incentives for content creation, climate applications, drug discovery, maternal mortality reduction and particle physics - a breadth that is the point, since the program deliberately funds work that falls between conventional disciplinary funding lines. Two fellowship tracks operate.
Early Career Fellows hold postdoctoral or pre-tenure research positions and receive up to $300,000 over two years, with 15 to 20 selected annually through a rigorous process. Senior Fellows are chosen on the strength of existing contributions to the field and receive larger awards, with reported figures up to $500,000. Cohort scale has grown - up to $5.
5 million across 19 fellows in 2023, up to $12 million across 25 fellows (5 senior, 20 early career), and $18 million across 28 scholars in 2025 - making this one of the larger private sources of unrestricted individual funding in AI.
Beyond money, fellows join an annual convening to share findings and gain access to additional support for collaborative projects, which is a meaningful part of the value for researchers working outside established AI centres. The program is distinct from Schmidt Sciences' separate Science of Trustworthy AI RFP, which funds technical projects on frontier AI risks rather than individuals.
Application and nomination timing varies by cycle and by track - senior fellowships have historically involved nomination rather than open application - so prospective fellows should confirm the current cycle's process and deadline directly with Schmidt Sciences.
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Or search similar grants →According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Two tracks operate with different criteria. Early Career Fellows must occupy postdoctoral or pre-tenure research positions; recent cohorts have included assistant professors, incoming professors and research fellows across multiple disciplines and institutions worldwide, and 15 to 20 early career researchers are selected annually. Senior Fellows are selected based on existing substantial contributions to the field. The program is international in scope, drawing fellows from institutions around the world rather than being limited to the United States. Early Career Fellows receive up to $300,000 over two years; Senior Fellows receive larger awards with reported program figures up to $500,000 over two to three years. Funding supports the individual researcher's work rather than a defined project deliverable, and fellows participate in an annual convening to share findings and may access additional support for collaborative projects. Research must address the AI2050 Hard Problems, organised into three categories: technical capabilities of AI systems, responsible deployment of AI, and societal benefit from AI - spanning alignment with human values, model robustness, interpretability, economic considerations, content creation incentives, climate applications and domain applications such as drug discovery and health. Recent cohort budgets have reached up to $12 million for 25 fellows and $18 million for 28 scholars. Application and nomination processes differ between the senior and early career tracks and cycle dates vary year to year, with senior fellowships historically filled through nomination; prospective applicants should confirm the current cycle's process, eligibility details and deadline directly with Schmidt Sciences before preparing materials. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows early Career Fellows receive up to $300,000 over two years. Senior Fellows receive larger awards, with reported program figures of up to $500,000 over two to three years. Recent cohorts have totalled up to $12 million across 25 fellows (5 senior and 20 early career) and $18 million across 28 scholars in 2025; the 2023 cohort of 19 fellows totalled up to $5.5 million. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
Schmidt Sciences AI2050 Fellows Program for Senior and Early Career Researchers Working on the Hard Problems in AI is funded by Schmidt Sciences (AI2050 initiative, founded by Eric and Wendy Schmidt). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
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