The Global Catastrophic Risks Opportunities Fund — Career Development, administered by Coefficient Giving (formerly Open Philanthropy), funds individuals at any career stage to pursue graduate study, professional training, or self-study that prepares them to work on reducing global catastrophic risks (GCRs), such as AI safety and biosecurity. It exists to lower financial barriers and enable talent to transition into GCR-focused careers, supporting a broad range of pathways including academic, policy, and technical roles.

Eligibility: Open worldwide, any career stage, no age or nationality restrictions. Focus: The proposed activity (graduate study, professional training, or self-study) must be clearly oriented toward reducing global catastrophic risks. Alignment: The applicant must demonstrate a credible plan to transition into GCR work, with a clear link between the funded activity and future GCR-relevant career. Quality: The application should show strong track record, relevant skills, and a well-reasoned rationale for the chosen path. Impact: The fund prioritizes applications with potential for significant positive impact on GCR reduction, often favoring technical or policy-relevant skills. Rolling review: Applications are reviewed continuously, so early application is advantageous.

Past winners are typically individuals with strong technical backgrounds (e.g., AI/ML, biosecurity, policy) who are pivoting into GCR work. They often have prior research or professional experience, and use the funding for graduate programs (e.g., PhDs in AI safety, biosecurity fellowships) or intensive self-study. Named examples are not listed on the page, but the fund's history under Open Philanthropy suggests a preference for candidates with demonstrated competence and a clear GCR-focused trajectory.

The platonic ideal applicant is a technically skilled individual (e.g., in machine learning, biology, or policy) with a proven track record of independent research or work, who can articulate a specific, credible plan to apply their skills to a GCR area like AI safety or biosecurity. They are at a career transition point (e.g., starting a graduate degree, changing fields) and need funding to pursue training or education that will directly enable GCR-relevant work. They demonstrate deep understanding of GCR issues and a commitment to effective altruism principles.