Astral Codex Ten Podcast ACX Grants Results 2025
Nov 8, 2025
Discover groundbreaking projects that received funding, like genetically enhanced corn aimed at fighting malnutrition and innovative genetic biocontrol for pest suppression. Learn about initiatives to improve lead-acid battery recycling in the Philippines and therapeutic foods for famine relief. Exciting advancements in AI are explored, from generating pro-AI fantasy novels to enhancing prediction markets. Plus, witness efforts to boost living kidney donations and improve fish welfare in Nigerian aquaculture. It's a dive into transformative ideas making a global impact!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
High Competition, Hard Choices
- ACX Grants received 654 applications and funded 42 projects this year, highlighting intense competition for limited funds.
- Many strong proposals went unfunded due to evaluation depth, conflicts of interest, or limited budget.
Respond Quickly To Confirmation Emails
- If you were awarded a grant, check spam folders and reply to the confirmation email promptly to secure your funding.
- Contact Scott at scott@slatestarcodex.com or DM on Substack/Twitter before November 1 if you haven't received confirmation.
Genetically Enriched Corn Project
- Casey Markle received $10,000 to use prime editing to make nutrient-rich corn for regions dependent on corn-heavy diets.
- The grant covers greenhouse space, enzymes, DNA synthesis, and scientist time to accelerate development.