Grant Opportunity: Up to $2 million. Bezos Earth Fund invites applications for $100 million AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge Deadline: July 30, 2024 (Phase 1)

Bezos Earth Fund invites applications for $100 million AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge

June 13, 2024

Deadline: July 30, 2024 (Phase 1)

The Bezos Earth Fund has opened submissions for the $100 million AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge.

According to the Bezos Earth Fund, people are already using artificial intelligence to monitor greenhouse gas emissions, detect methane leaks and forest fires, and advance a clean energy economy. While climate and nature organizations working on the ground understand global conditions and what it takes to implement workable environmental solutions, many of these frontline organizations don’t have sufficient technology expertise, infrastructure, or funding to apply AI solutions on their own. Meanwhile, AI researchers and technology providers understand the potential and practical application of rapidly evolving technologies but may not have experience implementing climate or nature solutions on the ground.

The AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge aims to explore new ideas for multiplying the impact of climate and nature efforts using modern AI. The first round of awards will focus on biodiversity conservation, advancing sustainable proteins, and power grid optimization. In addition, the fund is open to supporting visionary wildcard solutions for climate and nature. Up to 30 applicants will be selected as seed grantees and receive funding and mentorship from experts at the forefront of climate, nature, and AI. Larger awards will be made to a subset of this group.

The first round of the challenge invites grant proposals from eligible organizations: U.S.-based 501(c)(3) entities and global academic institutions.

Phase 1 proposals are due July 30, 2024, and the first phase will award up to 30 seed grants, with each receiving $50,000 and an exclusive invitation to participate in Phase 2. In Phase 2, grantees will enter a virtual innovation sprint and receive targeted support and resources from AI experts as they develop detailed implementation plans. Following Phase 2, Implementation Grantees will bring their solutions to life over the course of two years; during this time, they will test, iterate, and report on the effectiveness of their approaches. 

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge website.

Link to complete RFP