Bezos Earth Fund Is Donating $100 Million to Groups Using AI to Help Combat Climate Change Applications open in May.

By Emily Rella

Opinions expressed by BIZ Experiences contributors are their own.

Kevin Mazur | Getty Images for Bezos Earth Fund
Lauren Sánchez and Jeff Bezos attend the ICCF U.S. Congressional International Conservation Leadership Awards Dinner at Waldorf Astoria on October 24, 2023 in Washington, DC.

As the conversation around AI technology and its potential dangers and benefits becomes more mainstream, one billionaire is doubling down on his desire to use the technology for good to help find solutions to climate change.

On Thursday, Jeff Bezos's Bezos Earth Fund announced that the organization would be donating $100 million in grants to groups through the "AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge," which will seek to help determine how "modern AI might help address climate change and nature loss" and "inspire deeper collaboration between groups on the front line of environmental solutions and leading AI technology providers."

Related: Jeff Bezos Donates $123 Million to Combat Homelessness

The competition will have multiple rounds addressing different areas of focus and concern — for example, the first round will center on the areas of sustainable proteins, biodiversity conservation, and power grid optimization. Each round will also include a "Wild Card" category for those wishing to submit a proposal that doesn't fall into the selected categories.

There will be two funding phases per round. In the first, up to 30 seed grants will be given to the top groups "promising AI ideas addressing the focus areas," while the second phase will allow these awardees to apply for grants up to $2 million as well as receive mentorship and access to "computing infrastructure and relevant datasets."

The Bezos Earth Fund said that it will accept applications from "practitioners, researchers, and innovators in universities, NGOs, private companies, and organizations" but that proposals from individuals will not be accepted.

"The future is unlikely to be characterized by straight lines and gentle curves, but rather by unexpected changes and tipping points, good or bad," Bezos Earth Fund President and CEO Dr. Andrew Steer said in a company release. "The arrival of AI will potentially help solve very difficult challenges. With this program, we hope to make a helpful contribution."

Applications officially open in May 2024 and those interested can apply next month, here.

Related: Eva Longoria, Bill McRaven Win Jeff Bezos Award for Charity

Last month, Bezos awarded Eva Longoria and Admiral Bill McRaven each $50 million to give to their charity of choice through the Bezos Courage and Civility Award.

Bezos revealed exclusively to CNN in 2022 that he plans to give most of his wealth away in his lifetime. As of Thursday afternoon, his net worth was an estimated $203 billion.

Emily Rella

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at BIZ Experiences.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an BIZ Experiences Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Starting a Business

These Brothers Started a Business to Improve an Everyday Task. They Made Their First Products in the Garage — Now They've Raised Over $100 Million.

Coulter and Trent Lewis had an early research breakthrough that helped them solve for the right problem.

Franchise

How to Prepare Your Business — And Yourself — For a Smooth Exit

After decades of building your business, turning it over to someone else can be emotional. But with the right mindset and a strong plan, it can also be your proudest moment.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for BIZ Experiencess to pursue in 2025.

Franchise

10 No-Office-Required Businesses You Can Start for as Little as $5,000

With strong Franchise 500 rankings and investment levels starting under $5,000, these brands are ready for new owners to hit the ground running.

Business News

Here Are the 10 Jobs AI Is Most Likely to Automate, According to a Microsoft Study

These careers are most likely to be affected by generative AI, based on data from 200,000 conversations with Microsoft's Copilot chatbot.