Survival and Flourishing
.Fund (SFF)

SFF-2024 S-Process Grant Round Application Announcement

Index

SFF-2024 S-Process Grant Round General Information

SFF is organizing another S-Process Grant Round in collaboration with Jaan Tallinn and Survival and Flourishing .Com (SFC), to distribute funds by the end of October 2024. We estimate that $5MM - $15MM in funding will be distributed in this round via three tracks: Main, Freedom, and Fairness. The Funder of this round, Jaan Tallinn, has provided the following guidance regarding philanthropic priorities, which highlights areas of consideration for funding:

For the first time, applicants are required to submit a Speculation Grant request in order to be eligible for consideration in the SFF S-Process Grant Round. Applicants must follow the standard process of submitting a Speculation Grant Application outlined here, which can be done concurrently with an SFF S-Process Charity Funding Rolling Application/SFF For-Profit Non-Dilutive Grant Application and Long Form Application.

Also, for the first time, SFF is introducing two additional S-Process tracks: the Freedom Track and the Fairness Track. The application process and requirements are the same as the Main Track, but now applicants can choose to indicate if they would like to flag their application to the Recommenders in the Freedom Track or the Fairness Track. To learn more about those tracks, please visit the SFF-2024 Freedom and Fairness Tracks Announcement.

Applications for all tracks (Main, Freedom, and Fairness) are due by the extended deadline of July 1, 2024 11:59:59 PM PT via one of the following rolling application forms depending on whether the applicant is a charity or for-profit:

Late applications will not be eligible for the current S-Process Grant Round and will automatically be eligible for consideration in the following round. Late applications are still eligible for Speculation Grants.

All eligible applications will be evaluated in all rounds (Main, Freedom, and Fairness).

More information about the 2024 S-Process Grant Round can be found on the application forms above and in the FAQ below on this page, and answers to more general questions can be found in our General FAQ. If you have any further questions that are not answered through the above channels, please write to sff-contact@googlegroups.com.

SFF-2024 Main Track Announcement

The SFF-2024 Main Track is identical to how the previous SFF S-Process Grant Rounds have been organized and managed, it is just being renamed as the Main Track. We estimate that $3MM - $10MM in funding will be distributed in this track, with 6 Recommenders reviewing applications. We hope grants made in this track will simultaneously support fairness, freedom, and many other values crucial to humanity’s survival and flourishing. For this reason, it has a larger budget than either of the specialized tracks. Please review the SFF-2024 S-Process Grant Round General Information for information on the requirements for all tracks.

Applications for the all tracks (Main, Freedom, and Fairness) are due by the extended deadline of July 1, 2024 11:59:59 PM PT via one of the following rolling application forms depending on whether the applicant is a charity or for-profit:

All eligible applications will be evaluated in all tracks (Main, Freedom, and Fairness).

SFF-2024 Freedom and Fairness Tracks Announcement

In 2024, SFF is creating two special tracks for S-Process applications that specifically target values we call fairness and freedom, explained below. These specialized tracks will run with separate sets of Recommenders who are focused specifically on those values, roughly in parallel with our Main Track. All eligible applications are qualified to be evaluated by Recommenders in all tracks (Main, Freedom, and Fairness).

For details on applying to the SFF-2024 S-Process Grant Round, see the SFF-2024 S-Process Grant Round General Information. To learn more about the Freedom and Fairness Tracks, keep reading below.

About Freedom and Fairness Tracks

Fairness and freedom are values we consider crucial to humanity’s survival and flourishing in the era of AI technology, especially now that leading experts in AI have acknowledged that AI presents an extinction-level threat to humanity.

At different times and in different contexts, either fairness or freedom attract more support from particular political movements, to the extent that they are sometimes assumed to be in conflict. However, we think of them as truly global and mutually compatible values. A society is fair when morally arbitrary facts don’t avoidably determine people’s life chances. It is free when people can pursue their own goals, as individuals and as groups, without fear of arbitrary interference from those holding the reins of power.

Rapidly advancing artificial intelligence will inescapably affect both freedom and fairness. It could universalise access to opportunities making for a much fairer society, and could enable people and groups to better form and pursue their goals. But it may also enable those with advantage to cement their position and shift AI’s negative externalities onto the already-disadvantaged. And AI is a force-multiplier for those who wish to control others—it makes the practice of exercising authority much easier, thereby limiting people’s freedom.

Conversely, the degree to which we collectively prioritize freedom and fairness for humanity will inescapably affect how artificial intelligence is developed. Therefore, ensuring that advanced AI serves fairness and freedom is not only a moral imperative in its own right, but is an indispensable stepping-stone to mitigating future risks to humanity.

While applicants can flag their applications for evaluation by a specific track, every eligible applicant is eligible for evaluation by all three tracks.

SFF-2024 Freedom Track Announcement

AI technologies could be used to bring more freedom and autonomy to people and institutions everywhere. On the other hand, AI could also yield further concentrations of authority — whether in governments, corporations, or elsewhere — that oppress freedom of speech, hoard resources, and perpetuate tyranny.

How can we avoid these problems, and support uses of AI that strengthen freedom for humans and humanity? We’re specifically seeking applications addressing the following objectives:

This evaluation track has a budget of $1MM - $3MM with 3 Freedom Track Recommenders reviewing all applications, but especially Freedom Track flagged applications. If you would like to flag your application to the Fairness Track Recommenders, you can indicate so in the ‘Freedom and Fairness track indication’ section of the SFF S-Process charity or for-profit funding rolling application. For details on how to apply, see the SFF-2024 S-Process Grant Round General Information.

SFF-2024 Fairness Track Announcement

AI technologies could be used to bring greater opportunities and prosperity to all of humanity at once. On the other hand, AI could also yield a further concentration of wealth and power, benefitting only a privileged few while creating risks and harmful externalities for everyone.

How can we avoid these problems, and support the use of AI to empower the disempowered? We’re specifically seeking applications addressing the following objectives:

This evaluation track has a budget of $1MM - $3MM with 3 Fairness Track Recommenders reviewing all applications, but especially Fairness Track flagged applications. If you would like to flag your application to the Fairness Track Recommenders, you can indicate so in the ‘Freedom and Fairness track indication’ section of the SFF S-Process charity or for-profit funding rolling application. For details on how to apply, see the SFF-2024 S-Process Grant Round General Information.

All eligible applications will be evaluated in all tracks (Main, Freedom, and Fairness).

Why separate tracks?

In today’s political climate, certain human values inevitably end up being primarily championed by either left-leaning or right-leading political perspectives. Such values can be difficult to represent through a bipartisan consensus, even if everyone would benefit from them. This can lead to under-representing certain values that would actually benefit everyone.

At SFF, we believe our values of fairness and freedom are both important for humanity’s future, and only happen to seem right-leaning or left-leaning within today’s political frameworks. In other words, these are values we wish to support on their own merits, irrespective of politics. By creating a special track for each value, we hope to support strong proponents of each value to apply for funding, and to be evaluated by a set of reviewers who specifically espouse that value.

What the tracks aren’t

Importantly, being a strong proponent of either fairness, freedom, or both does not necessarily mean being a strong proponent of left-leaning or right-leaning politics in general, and in fact might require the opposite: centrist or bipartisan consensus is often necessary to bring about deep and lasting changes in the world. So, neither of these tracks is meant to encompass broadly supporting left-leaning or right-leaning values. The fairness track is specifically about fairness, and the freedom track is specifically about freedom.

FAQ for Applicants

What are the deadlines for this round?

The deadline for applicants to submit all materials (Long-Form Application, SFF S-Process charity funding rolling application/SFF for-profit non-dilutive grant application, and Speculation Grant Application) is July 1 11:59:59 PM PT to be eligible for consideration in the current S-Process Grant Round. Though, because it is necessary for a Speculation Grant to be awarded before consideration of an SFF S-Process Grant Round, it is encouraged (but not required) to submit the Speculation Grant Application as soon as possible. Speculation Grants can be approved up to two weeks past the round deadline for applications to still be eligible in the S-Process Grant Round, in this case up until July 17, but all applicant materials are due July 1 11:59:59 PM PT.

I missed the deadline for the current S-Process Grant Round, can I still apply?

Applications to S-Process Grant Rounds are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, regardless of whether a Grant Round is open or not. If you submit an application after the S-Process Grant Round application deadline, your application will automatically be considered as a submission for the following S-Process Grant Round when it opens.

Do I need to submit a Speculation Grant request in order to be eligible for consideration in the SFF-2024 S-Process Grant Round?

Yes, starting in 2024 an applicant must submit a Speculation Grant request in order to be eligible for consideration in S-Process Grant Rounds, for all tracks. Applicants that do not submit a Speculation Grant request in connection to their S-Process application will automatically be discarded.

There are three applications I must submit as part of my application materials. Which should I start with?

You may work on all three applications concurrently. However, to submit the Speculation Grant Application, you must have an SFF Application ID, which is generated via email confirmation after submitting either the SFF S-Process Charity Funding Rolling Application or the SFF For-Profit Non-Dilutive Grant Application (both referred to as the Rolling Application), along with links to your completed Long-Form and Rolling Application.

To submit the Rolling Application, you must include a link to your completed Long-Form Application. Therefore, you should complete the Long-Form Application first, then the Rolling Application, and finally the Speculation Grant Application.

If I have submitted my materials by the relevant deadline and haven’t received a Speculation Grant, does that mean that my organization is not eligible for the grant round?

Not necessarily, Speculation Grantors have two weeks to continue making Speculation Grants that will be eligible for consideration in the current round. For all tracks this deadline is July 17 11:59:59 PM PT. Please note, if you haven’t received a Speculation Grant by these dates it does not necessarily mean your organization will never be awarded the Speculation Grant. This just means you have not been awarded a Speculation Grant that will make you eligible to be considered in the current S-Process Grant Round. Speculation Grants are made on a rolling basis, meaning any Speculation Grants made after these dates are honored and the applicant is automatically eligible for consideration in the following grant round.

Do I need to submit a Speculation Grant to apply for the Freedom Track or Fairness Track?

Yes, a Speculation Grant Application and award is a prerequisite for participation in the S-Process Grant Rounds, including the Freedom Track or Fairness Tracks.

When do you expect funding to be distributed?

Speculation Grants are distributed on a rolling basis, usually within 3 weeks to 3 months after they are approved. S-Process Grant Round funding will likely be announced in September or October and distributed within 3 weeks to 3 months after the announcement. These dates are subject to change and are highly tentative.

My organization is a for-profit based outside of the US, can I receive funding through the SFF for-profit non-dilutive grant application?

Depends on where you are based outside the US. At this time, only for-profits based in Canada, the UK, and Australia are eligible to receive funding. All for-profits based in the US are eligible to receive funding.

FAQ for Recommenders For Any Track

Can I solicit applications?

Yes, you may solicit organizations to apply for a grant round. Please be aware of your own privacy preferences when reaching out to organizations and respect the privacy preferences of the other Recommenders.

Is my identity shared?

By default, we do not share the identities of Recommenders; however, Recommenders can adjust their privacy preferences using the Recommender Privacy Questionnaire any time during the round.

Do I need to evaluate every application?

No, but every application which was awarded a Speculation Grant is required to be at least skimmed by Recommenders. But, because Recommender time is a finite resource, we only require a skimming of every application, not a complete evaluation. We will allow — but not require — recommenders to evaluate applications that did not receive Speculation Grants.

How did you choose me to be a Recommender?

In collaboration with our Funders for the round, we generate a list of candidates and invite individuals to the round.

When are my evaluations due?

Final inputs are due in the app by the end of the final Recommender Meeting (which will be communicated to you via email). No further adjustments may be made after the final meeting.

FAQ for Speculation Grantors

What is the last day that I can make Speculation Grants for them to be included in the current round?

Speculation Grantors have roughly 2 weeks after the S-Process Grant Round application deadline to make Speculation Grants in order for the applicants to be included in the present round – in this case July 17, 2024 11:59:59 PM PT Speculation Grants can be made after this date, but they will be settled (remunerated to Speculation Grantors) in the following round.

Speculation Grants are needed in order for S-Process applicants to be eligible for the grant round. In light of this, should I think differently about how I am making grants?

As Speculation Grantors, you should review applications as normal, granting to organizations you deem valuable. No drastic conceptual changes in how you grant are needed, although it may be useful for you to review whether an applicant indicates they are applying for the Freedom and Fairness tracks. Proposals that historically might not have been funded by an S-Process Grant Round might now be considered due to the introduction of the Freedom and Fairness tracks, so keeping in mind the objectives of the Freedom and Fairness tracks might help with that.