The Musk Foundation provides grants to advance renewable energy research, science and engineering education, the development of safe artificial intelligence, and the protection of the natural world.
As a result of the ongoing crisis in Iran, we at the Musk Foundation feel the pain of everyone there and indeed everyone across the Middle East. To this end, we have created a separate grant fund to adequately cater to the needs of those in Iran and across the region. Requests from the region will be swiftly attended to. This special grant is designed to assist businesses and properties destroyed as a result of the impact experienced.
Our bakery in Tehran was completely destroyed in the unrest. I had no idea where to turn. A friend told me about the Musk Foundation crisis fund and I applied online within minutes. Within two weeks I received $18,000 to rebuild. My family is back on its feet and my children are eating again. I will never forget this kindness.
Farida Nouri
Small Business Owner
Tehran, Iran — Crisis Grant Recipient 2025
My pharmacy was looted and burned during the crisis. The Musk Foundation crisis grant allowed me to restock, repair the storefront, and reopen within a month. What moved me most was the speed — no endless paperwork, no delays. Real help, at the moment it was needed most.
Hassan Karimi
Pharmacist & Shop Owner
Isfahan, Iran — Crisis Grant Recipient 2025
I lost my tailoring workshop and all my equipment in the violence. As a widow with three children I had no savings and no one to turn to. The crisis grant from the Musk Foundation gave me $12,500 to replace my machines and restart my business. I am sewing again. My children are in school. I feel human again.
Maryam Sadeghi
Independent Tailor
Mashhad, Iran — Crisis Grant Recipient 2025
Our community library and learning centre in Beirut suffered severe structural damage. We were certain we would have to close permanently. The Musk Foundation crisis fund covered the repairs and allowed us to reopen with new books and computers. Over 400 children use this space every week. You gave them their future back.
Layla Mansour
Community Centre Director
Beirut, Lebanon — Crisis Grant Recipient 2025
My family has run a small printing press in Tabriz for thirty years. The crisis destroyed our machines and our livelihood in one night. The Musk Foundation responded to my application in days. The grant we received meant we did not have to sell our home. We are printing again. Our employees still have jobs. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Reza Ahmadi
Print Shop Owner
Tabriz, Iran — Crisis Grant Recipient 2025
$0M+
Total Grants Awarded
Across all focus areas since 2001
0+
Projects Funded
Research, education & innovation
0+
Countries Reached
Global impact across 6 continents
0 yrs
Years of Philanthropy
Committed to civilizational progress
"The purpose of the Foundation is to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy, advance science education, and ensure AI remains safe and beneficial."— Foundation Charter, 2001
01
Civilizational Thinking
We fund work with 50-year horizons, not quarterly cycles.
02
Radical Ambition
Incremental work finds other funders. We back the transformative.
03
Open Science
Knowledge advances fastest when findings are shared freely.
Our Mission
Built for Humanity's Best Outcomes
The Musk Foundation was established with a simple conviction: that private capital deployed with bold ambition can unlock scientific and educational progress that traditional funding structures cannot.
We operate in the space between too risky for government grants and too long-horizon for venture capital. We back researchers, educators, and builders working on problems that will matter enormously in 25 years.
Our grantees have pioneered next-generation solar cells, built educational platforms reaching tens of millions of students, advanced AI alignment science, and developed breakthrough treatments for rare pediatric diseases.
E
Elon Musk, Founder
Entrepreneur · Engineer · Philanthropist
Focus Areas
Where We Invest
⚡
Renewable Energy
$50,000 – $5,000,000 per grant
The transition to sustainable energy is the defining challenge of the 21st century. We fund foundational research in solar, wind, battery storage, grid modernization, and clean fuels.
Ocean & Tidal EnergyEmerging marine energy capture technologies for coastal communities worldwide.
🔬
Science & Engineering Education
$25,000 – $2,000,000 per grant
Every breakthrough depends on the minds behind it. We fund programs that build scientific and engineering literacy, especially for underserved and underrepresented communities globally.
Adaptive Learning PlatformsAI-powered personalized STEM tools for students in low-resource settings.
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STEM Teacher TrainingProfessional development for science and math educators in underserved districts.
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Research FellowshipsPhD fellowships for engineers and scientists from first-generation college families.
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Maker & Robotics LabsHands-on engineering labs in Title I public schools across the United States.
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Open Curriculum DevelopmentFreely available, high-quality K-12 science curricula in 50+ languages.
🧠
Safe Artificial Intelligence
$100,000 – $10,000,000 per grant
AI may be the most consequential technology in human history. We fund research ensuring AI systems are interpretable, aligned with human values, and governed by robust policy frameworks.
Interpretability ResearchTools that allow humans to understand what neural networks are actually computing.
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Alignment TechniquesMathematical frameworks for specifying and verifying AI goal alignment with human intent.
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AI Governance PolicyEvidence-based policy research informing domestic and international AI regulation.
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Robustness & SecurityMaking AI systems robust against adversarial manipulation and distribution shift.
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Societal Impact ResearchStudying AI's effects on labor markets, information ecosystems, and democratic institutions.
🧬
Pediatric Health
$75,000 – $3,000,000 per grant
Rare pediatric diseases affect millions of families while receiving a fraction of research investment directed at adult conditions. We fund gene therapy, early-diagnosis tools, and translational research.
Gene Therapy for Rare DiseasesCRISPR and viral vector approaches for pediatric neurological conditions.
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Newborn Screening ExpansionGenomic screening for early detection of treatable metabolic disorders.
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Pediatric Oncology ResearchNovel immunotherapy approaches for childhood cancers with poor prognoses.
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Neurological DevelopmentResearch into autism spectrum conditions, cerebral palsy, and early intervention.
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Global Child HealthVaccine distribution systems and malnutrition treatment in developing nations.
🚀
Space & Exploration
$50,000 – $4,000,000 per grant
Understanding the universe and establishing humanity's presence beyond Earth are among the greatest long-term imperatives we face. We support fundamental astrophysics and planetary science.
Astrophysics ResearchObservational and theoretical work in cosmology, exoplanet science, and astrobiology.
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Space Science EducationPlanetarium programs, astronomy curricula, and telescope access for underserved schools.
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Technosignature ResearchSETI programs using advanced ML signal detection across radio and optical spectra.
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Planetary DefenseAsteroid detection, tracking, and deflection mission research and advocacy.
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Space MedicineHuman health research for long-duration spaceflight and extraterrestrial habitation.
🌍
Environment & Conservation
$25,000 – $2,000,000 per grant
Earth's biodiversity and natural systems are the substrate of all human civilization. We fund applied conservation science, ecosystem restoration, and planetary health monitoring technology.
Coral Reef RestorationHeat-resistant coral cultivation and assisted evolution programs for reef systems.
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Biodiversity MonitoringeDNA and satellite-based systems for real-time global biodiversity tracking.
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Reforestation ScienceNative species selection algorithms and drone-based reforestation at scale.
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Ocean Plastic ResearchBiodegradable material alternatives and ocean cleanup technology development.
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Carbon SequestrationSoil carbon, biochar, and enhanced weathering for durable CO₂ removal.
Application Process
How to Apply
We accept applications on a rolling basis with quarterly review cycles. We fund nonprofits, universities, research institutions, and in rare cases, exceptional individuals. We do not fund for-profit entities.
I
Letter of Inquiry
Submit a concise two-page letter describing your project, team, estimated budget, and expected impact.
2 pages max · PDF preferred
II
Initial Review
Our program team reviews all letters within 6-8 weeks. About 15% of LOIs are invited to full proposals.
6–8 week turnaround
III
Full Proposal
Invited applicants submit a comprehensive proposal with workplan, budget, team qualifications, and references.
Invitation only · 8–12 pages
IV
Decision & Grant Agreement
Final decisions within 12 weeks. Approved grants proceed to a grant agreement with milestone-tied tranches.
The Musk Foundation didn't just fund our research — they gave us the freedom to pursue the hardest version of the problem. That kind of trust from a funder is extraordinarily rare.
Dr. Sarah Chen
Principal Investigator
MIT Energy Initiative — Perovskite Solar Program
Working with the Musk Foundation meant our AI safety research wasn't constrained by short funding cycles. We could follow the science wherever it led.
Prof. Marcus Williams
Director
Center for Human-Compatible AI, UC Berkeley
Because of this grant, we've now reached over 8 million students in 23 countries who had never had access to quality science education. The Foundation believed in our model when it was just a pilot.
Amara Osei
CEO & Co-Founder
AfricaSTEM — Education Initiative
The gene therapy trial we ran with Musk Foundation funding led directly to an FDA breakthrough therapy designation. Without that initial philanthropic risk, this treatment would be years away.
Dr. James Okafor, MD, PhD
Chief of Pediatric Neurology
Boston Children's Hospital
FAQ
Common Questions
Can't find what you're looking for? Reach out directly — our program staff respond within 5 business days.
For application inquiries, partnerships, or press:
We accept Letters of Inquiry on a rolling basis. Only organizations formally invited following LOI review may submit full proposals. Unsolicited full proposals are not reviewed.
Yes. We actively fund organizations globally. International applicants must demonstrate legal equivalency to a U.S. 501(c)(3) in their jurisdiction. We have funded projects in over 40 countries.
Grants range from $25,000 to $10,000,000 depending on focus area and scope. Most grants run 12-36 months. Multi-year grants are renewable based on milestone achievement.
No. We do not require naming rights, branding, or public acknowledgment as a condition of funding. Acknowledgment in publications is welcome but never required.
In general, we do not fund for-profit entities. We make very limited exceptions for Benefit Corporations when the work is clearly non-commercial in nature.
All grantees submit semi-annual narrative and financial reports. Program staff conduct site visits for grants over $1M. Milestone-based disbursement means funding is tied to demonstrable progress.
Direct individual grants are rare and reserved for exceptional circumstances. We strongly recommend applying through an affiliated university or research institution.
Yes. We accept indirect cost rates up to 25% of direct costs for established institutions. Rates above 25% require justification.
Stay Informed
Foundation Updates
Receive quarterly grant announcements, grantee spotlights, application deadline reminders, and news from the world of science and philanthropy.
No spam. Unsubscribe at any time. We send 4-6 emails per year.
Trusted By
Organizations we've partnered with and funded across our focus areas
MIT
Stanford
Khan Academy
SETI Institute
Caltech
UC Berkeley
St. Jude
Send a Message
Questions about grants, eligibility, or the Foundation? We read every message.
We respond within 2–5 business days
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Musk Foundation — Established 2001
Our Story & Conviction
Private capital. Bold ambition. Civilizational time horizons.
Our Mission
Built for Humanity's Best Outcomes
The Musk Foundation was established in 2001 with a simple conviction: that private capital deployed with bold ambition can unlock scientific and educational progress that traditional funding structures cannot.
We operate in the space between too risky for government grants and too long-horizon for venture capital. We back researchers, educators, and builders working on problems that will matter enormously in 25 years — not the next quarter.
Our grantees have pioneered next-generation solar cells, built educational platforms reaching tens of millions of students, advanced AI alignment science, and developed breakthrough treatments for rare pediatric diseases.
We are lean by design. Every dollar not spent on administration is a dollar backing science. We do not hold galas, pursue brand recognition, or fund incrementalism. We fund the work that will define what comes next.
"The purpose of the Foundation is to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy, advance science education, and ensure AI remains safe and beneficial to all of humanity."
— Foundation Charter, 2001
What We Believe
Our Principles
01
⚡
Civilizational Thinking
We fund work with 50-year horizons, not quarterly cycles. The greatest problems demand patience that most institutions cannot sustain.
02
🚀
Radical Ambition
Incremental work finds other funders. We back the transformative — the research that has a 20% chance of being world-changing.
03
🔎
Open Science
Knowledge advances fastest when findings are shared freely. All Foundation-funded research must be published openly. No exceptions.
04
⚖
Rigorous Accountability
Every grant is milestone-tied, every dollar tracked, every outcome reported. Trust is earned through discipline, not declarations.
05
🌎
Global Equity
Brilliant researchers exist everywhere. Over 40% of our grants fund work outside the United States.
06
🧠
Honest Uncertainty
We fund portfolios of bold bets, learn from failures, and compound on successes. Intellectual honesty is a prerequisite.
Our Journey
Two Decades of Impact
2001 — Foundation
The Musk Foundation is Established
Founded with an initial endowment focused on renewable energy and science education. First grant cycle: 12 awards totaling $3.2 million.
2005 — Expansion
Safe AI Added as a Core Focus Area
The Foundation formally adds AI safety and alignment research to its grant portfolio — nearly a decade before this became mainstream philanthropic interest.
2009 — Global Reach
First International Grant Class
The Foundation expands beyond the United States, funding projects in 14 countries across Africa, Asia, and South America.
2014 — Milestone
$50 Million Awarded Cumulatively
Over 300 projects funded. Notable outcomes include a perovskite solar cell efficiency breakthrough at MIT and an open-source STEM curriculum now used in 22 countries.
2018 — Refinement
Milestone-Based Disbursement Introduced
The Foundation restructures all grants to use milestone-tied disbursement, improving accountability and grantee renewal rates significantly.
2022 — Scale
Largest Single Grant in Foundation History
A $10 million, three-year grant awarded to a university consortium for grid-scale long-duration battery storage research.
2025 — Today
$100M+ Awarded Across 600+ Projects
The Foundation enters its third decade with its largest annual grant budget, active programs in 40+ countries.
Leadership
The People Behind the Work
The Musk Foundation is intentionally lean. Our program staff are deep subject-matter experts who evaluate grants, support grantees, and ensure resources flow to the highest-impact work.
E
Elon Musk
Founder & Chair
Entrepreneur, engineer, and philanthropist. Founded the Musk Foundation in 2001 with a conviction that private capital can unlock progress traditional institutions cannot.
S
Sarah Chen
Executive Director
Former faculty at Stanford's Energy Systems Lab. 15 years in philanthropic leadership across science and climate. Joined the Foundation in 2017.
M
Marcus Obi
Director, Science Grants
PhD in Materials Science from Caltech. Oversees the renewable energy and space exploration portfolios. 30+ peer-reviewed publications.
A
Anika Patel
Director, AI & Education
Former AI safety researcher at OpenAI. Leads the Foundation's safe AI grant portfolio and global education programs. Fluent in five languages.
Governance & Transparency
Open Books, Clear Purpose
We believe philanthropic institutions owe the public full transparency about how resources are deployed. The Musk Foundation publishes its Form 990, annual grant reports, and conflict-of-interest disclosures without exception.
Our board includes independent members with no financial relationship to Foundation grantees. All grant decisions are reviewed by at least two independent program officers.
Questions about grants, partnerships, or the Foundation's work — we respond to every inquiry.
Contact Information
Reach Us Directly
Our program staff respond to all inquiries personally. We do not use automated email filters for grant-related questions. Expect a thoughtful reply, not a form letter.