The Sloan Foundation's exploratory grantmaking in Technology supports the development and adoption of AI tools that accelerate scientific research and automate aspects of the scientific process. Funded scope includes foundation models for science (chemistry, biology, materials, physics), AI lab automation and self-driving laboratories, AI-driven literature review and synthesis tools, machine learning for experimental design, scientific reasoning and hypothesis generation in LLMs, and infrastructure for open scientific AI. The exploratory program identifies emerging sectors, tools, and methods with high potential that may not yet attract mainstream funding, prioritizing interdisciplinary risk-taking work.

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation's Exploratory Grantmaking in Technology program, with a dedicated AI in Science track, supports the development and adoption of AI tools that accelerate scientific research and automate aspects of the scientific process. Funded scope includes foundation models for science (chemistry, biology, materials, physics), AI lab automation and self-driving laboratories, AI-driven literature review and synthesis tools, machine learning for experimental design, scientific reasoning and hypothesis generation in LLMs, infrastructure for open scientific AI, reproducibility and transparency of machine learning in research, and the philosophy of science applied to ML. Rolling letters of inquiry are accepted year-round with a deadline of December 31, 2026 for the current cycle. Letters of inquiry are reviewed quarterly. Sloan is particularly interested in open-science orientation and replicable AI infrastructure for scientific discovery. Strong fit for U.S. universities, research institutes, and nonprofits building open foundation models for science, autonomous lab software, AI-driven scientific reasoning, or open scientific AI benchmarks.

Jerome Early-Career Project Grants is a grant from Forecast Public Art, funded by the Jerome Foundation, that funds the creation of new public art projects by early-career artists based in Minnesota. Two grants of $8,000 each are awarded annually to support temporary or permanent public artworks anywhere in Minnesota. Projects may be supported by public or nonprofit agencies but private commissions are not eligible, and a secured project site is required at the time of application. The program places special emphasis on supporting BIPOC and Native artists, LGBTQIA+ artists, women artists, immigrant artists, rural artists, and artists with disabilities. Eligible applicants are Minnesota-based individual artists with 2–10 years of generative experience. The application deadline was October 15, 2025.

The Local Cultural Council Program is a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council distributing $1,000 to $10,000 through a statewide network of 329 Local Cultural Councils (LCCs) representing every city and town in the Commonwealth. Each LCC awards funds based on local community cultural needs as assessed by council members. Eligible applicants include artists, nonprofits, schools, and organizations pursuing arts, humanities, and science projects. Applications are submitted directly to local councils and are typically due by October 16. Grants from most LCCs are reimbursement-based. Massachusetts Cultural Council funds the LCCs centrally, which then regrant to community projects.