The Future of Life Institute is a non-profit organisation that funds research in management and prevention of catastrophic events resulting from transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology and nuclear technology.

The Institute runs two Fellowship programmes in partnership with the Beneficial AI Foundation (BAIF) which aim to support research in AI Existential Safety carried out by PhD and postdoctoral candidates.

The Vitalik Buterin PhD Fellowship programme aims to support PhD students undertaking AI existential safety research by providing funding throughout their PhD programme. The Institute is looking for novel research project that address AI existential safety or existing projects targeting AI existential safety research for which no other funding is currently available. In addition, the programme provides workshops and networking opportunities for fellows to encourage interaction with other researchers in the field.

Funding is available to cover five years of a PhD programme, with the possibility of an extension. Annual funding covers the tuition, fees and the PhD stipend up to $40,000 for universities in the US, UK and Canada. An additional fund of $10,000 is available for research related expenses (eg travel and computing).

Applicants and host universities may be based anywhere in the world. Stipend amounts for universities outside the US, UK and Canada will be adjusted to match local conditions.

The Vitalik Buterin Postdoctoral Fellowship programme aims to support postdoctoral researchers also undertaking AI existential safety research.

The funding period is three years, subject to annual renewals based on satisfactory progress reports. Funding includes an annual stipend of $80,000 for universities in the US, UK and Canada. An additional fund of $10,000 is available for research related expenses (eg travel and computing).

Applicants and host universities may be based anywhere in the world. Stipend amounts for universities outside the US, UK and Canada will be adjusted to match local conditions.

The submission deadline for the PhD programme is 21 November 2025 (23:59 ET).

The submission deadline for the postdoctoral programme is 5 January 2026 (23:59 ET).