MacArthur Foundation AI policy
In short
MacArthur has not published a rule on whether applicants may use AI to write proposals. Its staff AI policy says staff may not use AI for grantmaking decisions or evaluation, and staff may not put confidential grantee information into AI tools except as the policy allows. During due diligence, staff may use AI tools to gather public information, then review and verify it.
For reviewers
- MacArthur staff may not use AI for grantmaking decisions or evaluation. The Foundation says it will never use AI to make a grant.[1][2]
- Staff may not put confidential, proprietary, personal, or sensitive information from grantees or others they work with into AI tools, except as the policy permits.[1]
- Due diligence often starts before a grant decision. During it, MacArthur may use AI tools to gather publicly available information about an organization, and staff review and verify what they find.[3]
Sources
- [1]Policy on Use of Artificial Intelligence at the MacArthur Foundation
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
“Using AI for hiring decisions or personnel evaluations. Using AI for grantmaking decisions or evaluation.”
“Do not include (or upload) any confidential, proprietary, personal, or sensitive information of the Foundation, grantees, vendors, investees, or others with whom we engage in any queries, prompts, or inputs to AI tools except as permitted by this policy.”
- [2]Creativity and Learning with AI
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, February 12, 2026
“Most importantly, we will never use AI to make a grant, hire an employee, write a strategy, or undertake other significant decisions that require human judgement.”
- [3]Our Approach to Due Diligence (April 2026)
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, 2026-04
“We may use AI tools to gather publicly available information, but we review and verify what we find.”
“We begin gathering information early, often before a grant decision is made.”
This page summarizes published guidance and is not legal advice. Policies change, and a specific solicitation can add its own rules, so confirm against the funding announcement before you apply. See every funder's AI policy.