Neural Information Processing Systems Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Currently $0 in traditional grants (per 2024 IRS filing)
• Success Rate: Not available
• Decision Time: Approximately 4 weeks
• Grant Range: Up to $50,000
• Geographic Focus: International

Contact Details

• Website: https://neurips.cc/
• Location: San Diego, CA

Overview

The Neural Information Processing Systems Foundation Inc. (EIN 95-4364881) is a non-profit corporation established to foster the exchange of research advances in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. While primarily known for hosting the prestigious annual NeurIPS conference, the foundation recently launched the "Bridging the Future" grants program in October 2025, marking a new chapter in their support for AI/ML education and research. The foundation operates with revenue under $5 million annually and maintains a focused mission of expanding access to AI/ML opportunities across all educational levels.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Bridging the Future Grants: Up to $50,000 per proposal (supports innovative activities that broaden participation in AI/ML)
  • Application method: Rolling basis through February 15, 2026
  • Focus: Innovative approaches not widely implemented in AI/ML education and outreach

Priority Areas

• AI/ML education initiatives for all age groups (grade school to senior faculty)
• Innovative pedagogical approaches in computational thinking
• Programs that reach underserved populations in novel ways
• Workshops and web-based materials for training young researchers
• Activities that pioneer new strategies or adapt approaches from other fields

What They Don't Fund

• Travel or per diem expenses (even for conference attendees)
• Direct conference attendance costs outside of their specific financial assistance programs

Governance and Leadership

President: Terrence Sejnowski (The Salk Institute) - serving since 1993

Board Structure: The board of trustees consists of previous general chairs of the NeurIPS Conference

The foundation maintains high ethical standards and a commitment to diversity and inclusion in the AI/ML community.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications for the Bridging the Future grants program are submitted through the NeurIPS website on a rolling basis. The program invites individuals, research groups, affinity groups, educational institutions, and community organizations to submit proposals.

Decision Timeline

• Applications reviewed on a rolling basis
• Notification within approximately 4 weeks of submission
• Target deadline: February 15, 2026

Success Rates

Not yet available (new program launched October 2025)

Reapplication Policy

Not specified for the grants program

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities:

• Proposals should demonstrate innovative and novel approaches that have not been widely implemented in AI/ML education
• Preference given to programs that pioneer new strategies or adapt approaches from other fields in original ways
• Clear articulation of anticipated impact and how the project broadens participation in AI/ML
• Activities can target any age group or educational level
• Strong emphasis on reaching underserved populations through novel methods

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a newly launched grant program (October 2025) with limited track record
• Focus on truly innovative approaches rather than replicating existing programs
• Emphasize how your project expands access to AI/ML education and research
• Consider cross-disciplinary approaches that adapt methods from other fields
• Clearly define your target audience and explain why your approach is novel for that group
• Budget requests should align with project goals and anticipated impact (up to $50,000)
• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so earlier submission may be advantageous

References

• NeurIPS Foundation Opens "Bridging the Future" Grants Program – NeurIPS Blog (October 30, 2025): https://blog.neurips.cc/2025/10/30/neurips-foundation-opens-bridging-the-future-grants-program/
• Call for Bridging the Future Grants: https://neurips.cc/Conferences/2025/CallForBTFGrants
• NeurIPS Foundation website: https://neurips.cc/
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Neural Information Processing Systems Foundation Inc: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954364881
• Instrumentl 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/neural-information-processing-systems-foundation
• Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems - Wikipedia (accessed March 2026)