Is this actionable now?

closed. The official site still describes a closed prior AI prize cycle; no verified 2026 submission window exists.

Early-stage for-profit or nonprofit/mission-driven ventures (seed to Series A) using AI ethically for beneficial outcomes (health, education, sustainability, space, etc.); operating within US legal parameters.

What burden and restrictions apply?

The reviewed official source pages do not state a complete current reporting obligation. The reviewed official source pages do not state complete current use-of-funds restrictions.

The Roddenberry Prize

Prior cycle: USD 1 million grand prize and USD 250,000 finalist grant, equity-free; not currently actionable. · The Roddenberry Foundation

Prize from the Roddenberry Foundation offering non-dilutive (equity-free) funding to early-stage ventures using AI/technology for beneficial global impact. Current lifecycle: closed. Real economics: Prior cycle: USD 1 million grand prize and USD 250,000 finalist grant, equity-free; not currently actionable..

Tier 3prizenon-dilutiveaiimpact

Apply Official site Open in the live directory

Key facts

Funder	The Roddenberry Foundation
Amount	Prior cycle: USD 1 million grand prize and USD 250,000 finalist grant, equity-free; not currently actionable.
Decision time	Multi-round (LOI, then invited full applications)
Eligibility	Early-stage for-profit or nonprofit/mission-driven ventures (seed to Series A) using AI ethically for beneficial outcomes (health, education, sustainability, space, etc.); operating within US legal parameters.
Restrictions	The reviewed official source pages do not state a complete current reporting obligation. The reviewed official source pages do not state complete current use-of-funds restrictions.
Status	closed

Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.

Application process

Submit letter of intent during an open cycle
Invited detailed application
Finalist diligence
Grand-prize judging
Equity-free grant agreement

Background

The Roddenberry Foundation operates The Roddenberry Prize. This pass separates direct cash, repayable finance, credits, incentives and umbrella programs so later ranking does not compare unlike instruments. The prior AI cycle offered a USD 1 million grand prize. Finalists could receive USD 250,000. The foundation publishes prior prize themes and recipients.

How the application really works

Submit letter of intent during an open cycle → Invited detailed application → Finalist diligence → Grand-prize judging → Equity-free grant agreement

Tips

Show direct fit with responsible AI.
Show direct fit with health.
Show direct fit with education.
Show direct fit with sustainability.
Show direct fit with space.

Watch out for

Current lifecycle is closed.
The reviewed official source pages do not state a complete current reporting obligation.
The reviewed official source pages do not state complete current use-of-funds restrictions.

Track record

The prior AI cycle offered a USD 1 million grand prize.
Finalists could receive USD 250,000.
The foundation publishes prior prize themes and recipients.

The reviewed official corpus does not publish a comparable applicant denominator and selection rate.

Frequently asked questions

Is this actionable now?: closed. The official site still describes a closed prior AI prize cycle; no verified 2026 submission window exists.
What is the real economic value?: Prior cycle: USD 1 million grand prize and USD 250,000 finalist grant, equity-free; not currently actionable.
Who is eligible?: Early-stage for-profit or nonprofit/mission-driven ventures (seed to Series A) using AI ethically for beneficial outcomes (health, education, sustainability, space, etc.); operating within US legal parameters.
How does selection work?: Submit letter of intent during an open cycle; Invited detailed application; Finalist diligence; Grand-prize judging; Equity-free grant agreement. Multi-round (LOI, then invited full applications)
What burden and restrictions apply?: The reviewed official source pages do not state a complete current reporting obligation. The reviewed official source pages do not state complete current use-of-funds restrictions.
What evidence exists?: The prior AI cycle offered a USD 1 million grand prize. Finalists could receive USD 250,000. The foundation publishes prior prize themes and recipients. The reviewed official corpus does not publish a comparable applicant denominator and selection rate.

Sources

roddenberryprize.org — Official lifecycle, prior economics and eligibility (checked 2026-08-10)
roddenberryfoundation.org/our-work/roddenberry-prize — Official foundation prize history and outcomes (checked 2026-08-10)