The Open Philanthropy Project recommended a gift of $1,625,000 over three years to Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC) to support Megan Palmer’s work on biosecurity. Dr. Palmer’s research is focused on developing ways to improve governance of biological science and to reduce the risk of misuse of advanced biotechnology. This funding is intended to allow Dr. Palmer to continue and extend a study on the attitudes of participants in International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM), to better understand how institutional environments, safety practices or competition incentives might motivate young scientists and engineers.
This is a renewal of Open Philanthropy's October 2016 support and falls within its focus area of biosecurity and pandemic preparedness.