Who they are
Backing the science that’s too ambitious for anyone else
Founded in 1986, the Foresight Institute is a San Francisco research non-profit that supports ambitious, interdisciplinary science through grants, prizes, fellowships and events — the kind of work that’s too far-out for legacy institutions. Its track record is remarkable: winners of Foresight’s Feynman Prize have gone on to win the Nobel (David Baker in 2024, Fraser Stoddart in 2016). Its focus areas span Secure AI, Neurotechnology, Nanotechnology, Space — and, close to our hearts, Longevity Biotechnology. It’s led by CEO Allison Duettmann, whom we met on the quest.
Gather
Vision Weekend
Foresight’s flagship conferences bring leading scientists, founders, funders and policymakers together to explore the frontiers of science — and plan for flourishing futures.
Grow
Fellowship & grants
A one-year fellowship for early-career scientists and builders, plus grants that back pioneering work across their focus areas — longevity biotech included.
Learn
40+ seminars a year
Small, focused online seminars and podcasts where world-leading experts — including Nobel laureates — present cutting-edge research.
In conversation
What Allison told us
So tell me — what is the Foresight Institute?
Foresight goes all the way back to 1986 — before I was even born. I found it online while I was doing my thesis on AI and philosophy in the UK, and what struck me was this incredible, unique mix of people who were really ambitious about the long-term future, but grounded in science and technology. I cold-emailed them, ended up there as an unpaid intern at first — and now I’ve been leading it for the last four years. We give grants, prizes and fellowships, and host workshops across nanotechnology, biotechnology, neurotechnology, AI and space. In each of these fields, we’re one of the only orgs doing what we do.
And you spot talent early.
He’s now the second Foresight Feynman Prize winner to receive a Nobel Prize — many years later, for his work. We’re early in spotting talent, I’d like to say.
From our conversation with Allison in Boston, 2024. Lightly edited for length.
Coming up
Where to meet them
Behind it
The person who leads it
President & CEO of the Foresight Institute — and one of the people we met on the Live Beyond quest. See her profile ↗︎