Funding grants for new research into AI and mental health: OpenAI’s AI and Mental Health Grant Program

OpenAI is launching a new funding opportunity aimed at exploring the intersection of AI and mental health. This program invites research proposals that delve into the potential impacts, challenges, and opportunities of AI in mental health applications.

Key Information:

• Grant Amount: $5,000 to $100,000 per project
• Total Funding Available: Up to $2 million
• Eligibility: Applicants must be 18+ and affiliated with a research institution, organization, or have significant experience in mental health. Proposals must focus on research, not for-profit initiatives.
• Application Deadline: December 19, 2025
• Notification of Selected Proposals: By January 15, 2026
• Funding Entity: OpenAI Group PBC

Areas of Interest:
While OpenAI encourages proposals in various areas, some of the key topics include:

• Cultural and Linguistic Variations: How expressions of distress vary across cultures and languages, and their implications for AI interpretation.
• User Experience with AI: Insights from individuals with lived experiences of mental health on AI-powered chatbots’ safety and supportiveness.
• AI in Mental Healthcare: How AI tools are used by mental healthcare providers, identifying both benefits and safety risks.
• Promoting Healthy Behaviors: Exploring the potential of AI to promote positive social behaviors and reduce harm.
• Addressing Stigma: Understanding how AI systems may inadvertently reinforce stigma around mental health.
• Support for Youth and Adolescents: Ensuring AI interactions are age-appropriate and respectful, particularly when offering guidance to young users.
• Grief and Loss: How AI systems can compassionately support individuals experiencing grief, including tone/style guidelines and evaluation rubrics.

Expected Deliverables:
Selected projects should aim to produce:

• Research Papers exploring the above topics.
• Datasets that reflect culturally or linguistically diverse contexts.
• Prototype Interaction Flows showing AI behavior in sensitive contexts.
• Evaluation Rubrics for assessing the effectiveness of AI systems in mental health applications.

How to Apply:

1. Review the program details and requirements on OpenAI’s official page.
2. Submit your research proposal before December 19, 2025.
3. Direct any questions to mentalhealthresearchgrants@openai.com.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Applicants must be 18 or older.
• Must be affiliated with a research institution or have significant mental health experience.
• This funding program is intended for research (non-profit) initiatives only.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of AI in the mental health space, shaping the future of compassionate, culturally sensitive, and effective AI systems.

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