A philanthropic consortium backed by some of the world’s most active funders in existential risk reduction is inviting researchers, think tanks, and civil society organizations to propose bold, actionable projects aimed at reducing the likelihood of nuclear war. The second call builds on $8.2 million already awarded in January 2026 and opens a new competitive round with a broader global reach.
About the Grants to Reduce Nuclear Dangers Program
The consortium is jointly administered by Founders Pledge, Longview Philanthropy, PAX sapiens, and the Global Challenges Foundation, with strategic involvement from Carnegie Corporation of New York. The program targets the gap between existing academic work on nuclear risk and the kind of practical, policy-relevant output that can shift decisions at the institutional and governmental level. The second call expands on the first by explicitly welcoming intellectually diverse teams and projects that build meaningfully on existing work rather than starting from scratch.
Funding Size
- Tier 1: up to $100,000 for focused, shorter-term projects
- Tier 2: up to $750,000 for larger, multi-year initiatives
- Project duration: up to two years
- Final funding decisions expected late fall or winter 2026
Who Can Apply
- Individual researchers, including those unaffiliated with institutions
- Nonprofit organizations, think tanks, and university research centers
- International equivalents of the above
- Applicants must demonstrate relevant expertise and a feasible pathway to reducing nuclear risk
Geographic Eligibility
- Open globally
- Applications are accepted from researchers and organizations in any country
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Sector or Thematic Focus
The program funds projects addressing at least one of three focus areas:
- Emerging and disruptive technologies including AI, space, cyber, and quantum computing and their impact on nuclear risk and crisis escalation
- Future of nonproliferation, arms control, and disarmament including novel approaches to new arms control arrangements and nuclear risk reduction
- Open-source information and strategic risk modeling including commercial satellite imagery analysis, forecasting tools, and escalation dynamics assessment
Application Process
Applications are submitted online in a two-round process. Round 1 requires a concept note submitted through the consortium’s online portal; a Google Account is required. Shortlisted applicants are invited to submit a full proposal and may undergo external expert review. Projects may be funded by one or more consortium members, and some applicants may be contacted individually even if not selected collectively.
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Required Materials
- Concept note addressing project focus, approach, team background, and high-level budget
- Responses to nine structured questions covering impact, methodology, team positioning, and timeline
Selection Notes
- Projects must represent a meaningful advance in scope, reach, or approach beyond existing work
- Intellectual diversity within the project team is explicitly valued in the review process
- Funding is not guaranteed even for eligible and well-developed proposals