Application Guide
How to Apply for Technical Grant Writer
at AI Alignment Foundation
🏢 About AI Alignment Foundation
The AI Alignment Foundation is a nonprofit that accelerates neglected approaches to AI alignment by funding original researchers and pairing them with dedicated engineering teams and compute resources. Unlike typical grantmakers, they are deeply embedded in the technical work, meaning a grant writer here directly shapes which alignment ideas get off the ground. This is a chance to work at the frontier of AI safety with a small, mission-driven team that values clear thinking and independent judgment.
About This Role
As a Technical Grant Writer, you will turn dense AI alignment research papers, researcher conversations, and funder priorities into compelling proposals, concept notes, and letters of intent. You will work with minimal researcher input, requiring you to independently structure ambiguous technical information and communicate claims with appropriate uncertainty. Your writing will directly influence which alignment research gets funded, making this a high-leverage role in a field where funding bottlenecks slow progress.
💡 A Day in the Life
You might start by reading a researcher’s latest draft paper, then spend an hour drafting a concept note for a funder whose priorities you’ve studied. Later, you’d join a short call with a researcher to clarify a technical point, then revise a full proposal to sharpen its framing and uncertainty language. The rest of the day is deep, independent writing and editing, with occasional check-ins to ensure alignment with the foundation’s strategy.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who AI Alignment Foundation Is Looking For
- Has exceptional writing and editing skills, with a portfolio that demonstrates the ability to translate complex technical concepts for expert funders without oversimplifying or misrepresenting.
- Possesses technical fluency in AI/ML—able to read and understand alignment research papers (e.g., on interpretability, scalable oversight, or agent foundations) and accurately represent methods and results.
- Exercises strong judgment about claims and uncertainty, knowing when to hedge, when to assert, and how to structure incomplete information into a coherent narrative.
- Is highly self-directed and comfortable working remotely with minimal supervision, proactively seeking out researcher input only when necessary.
📝 Tips for Applying to AI Alignment Foundation
Submit a writing sample that translates a technical AI alignment paper (e.g., from arXiv or the Alignment Forum) into a 1-page funder-facing concept note—this directly mirrors the core task.
In your cover letter, name specific AI alignment funders (e.g., Open Philanthropy, Survival and Flourishing Fund, LTFF) and explain how you would tailor a proposal to their priorities.
Demonstrate familiarity with the AI Alignment Foundation’s portfolio or funded researchers; mention how your writing could amplify their work.
If you have a technical background, highlight any experience reading ML papers or collaborating with researchers; if not, show how you’ve quickly ramped up on complex domains before.
Address the part-time/contractor flexibility directly—state your availability and preferred arrangement clearly, as the foundation is open to different structures.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
Emphasize your ability to independently draft proposals from raw research inputs, your technical fluency in AI/ML (cite specific papers or concepts), your judgment in communicating uncertainty, and your alignment with the foundation’s mission to accelerate neglected alignment approaches. Use concrete examples of past writing that required translating technical ideas for funders or decision-makers.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read the AI Alignment Foundation’s website, especially their funding philosophy and any listed researchers or projects, to understand what ‘neglected approaches’ means to them.
- → Familiarize yourself with major AI alignment funders and their stated priorities (e.g., Open Philanthropy’s AI alignment RFPs, Survival and Flourishing Fund, Long-Term Future Fund).
- → Skim recent alignment research papers or blog posts (e.g., from MIRI, ARC, Redwood Research, or the Alignment Forum) to build context for the technical language.
- → Look up the foundation’s team and any public writing by them to understand their communication style and values.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Writing a generic cover letter that doesn’t mention AI alignment, the foundation’s specific approach, or the technical translation aspect of the role.
- Submitting a writing sample that is either purely technical (no translation) or overly simplified (losing accuracy)—both miss the core skill.
- Ignoring the part-time/contractor flexibility and failing to state your preferred arrangement, which could signal a lack of attention to the job details.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to AI Alignment Foundation!