#147 - Models for Science, Tiny Robots, and Lots of Fellowships & Residencies!
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Just so y’all know, ChatGPT is never used to write any component of this newsletter.
In the News
💻 FutureHouse released a suite of AI models that can drastically accelerate the pace of scientific discovery.
🦾 Researchers at Columbia have developed a laser that can wirelessly power and move small robots.
💉 The rollout for the malaria vaccine continues its expansion, this time in Mali.
🍄 An anti-inflammatory compound called cordycepin found in fungus is being used as a powerful chemotherapy.
🇫🇷🍙 This French startup is using robots the size of a grain of rice to perform advanced neurosurgery.
Opportunities
Lots of opportunities for founders and builders this edition.
“Inflection Grants provide $2,000 to help turn unusual ideas into reality, focusing on turning points where a small push can make a big difference. From first experiments to world-changing companies, we design spaces for unusual thinkers to test ideas and find their people. As a grantee, you'll gain access to our global community, the Edge City ecosystem, and receive support from past recipients who can help guide your journey. Many grantees will go on to build multiple projects, and eventually get funding from Long Journey Ventures.” Must be under 25 to apply.
Speaking of Edge City, check out the upcoming Edge Esmerelda popup city, running from late May to June outside of SF. You can apply to their fellowship if you’re under 25 and working on something cool!
Nautilus, a residency program for young builders, is opening applications for their second cohort, starting in September.
In other residency news, Calculus House still has openings for their residency in June in SF!
1517 Fund has applications open for Flux, their $100k investment offering for scientists hoping to drop out of academia. The deadline is May 11th!
Human Capital is running their HC Fellowship and giving $250k to engineers-turned-founders. Apply by May 18th.
“As artificial intelligence grows more advanced, the technology and the people building it grow increasingly consequential. We believe journalism plays a crucial role in helping the public understand AI — and in holding companies and policymakers to account. Tarbell offers grants of $1,000 - $15,000 to support original reporting published in established outlets, whether from freelancers or staff. We primarily focus on written journalism, but we also fund journalism in other formats. This round of grants will close May 31st.”
The Digital Systems Unit for Safeguards and Non-Proliferation of the Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Security of the EU is looking for a data scientist!
What We’re Watching
India is a model for digital ID infrastructure, having pioneered a system that expands access to core services (like bank accounts) for hundreds of millions of people.
Bryan Johnson is starting a new religion in which the “body is god.”
Linus Lee has (once again) written a beautiful piece on the synthesis between humanity and technology, this time focusing in on the architecture and artistry of Rockefeller Plaza and Radio City.
Quotes We Love
"We are here to awaken from our illusion of separateness."
- Thich Nhat Hanh
That’s all for now! See you in your inbox in another two weeks! ❤️