Executive summary: An analysis of biosecurity philanthropy funding estimates that approximately $1 billion is spent annually, with most funding coming from a few large foundations and focused on areas like infectious disease surveillance, pathogenesis research, and vaccine development rather than existential risk priorities.
Key points:
Total biosecurity philanthropy funding is estimated at $780 million to $1.6 billion annually, with a best guess of ~$1 billion. This is a small fraction of total public health philanthropy and government biosecurity spending.
The largest funders are the Wellcome Trust (~$370m), Gates Foundation (~$330m), CEPI (~$180m) and Novo Nordisk Foundation (~$110m). Open Philanthropy is likely the 4th-8th largest funder.
Most funding goes to infectious disease surveillance, pathogenesis research, rapid vaccine development and antimicrobial resistance. Existential risk (GCBR) priority areas receive an estimated 4% of the total.
Biosecurity funding and philanthropy is heavily concentrated in the US and UK. Funding focused on lower-income countries appears limited.
More research is needed to rigorously compare the cost-effectiveness of different biosecurity interventions. However, the analysis suggests potential opportunities in GCBR-focused technology development, policy advocacy, and work in neglected geographical contexts.
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Executive summary: An analysis of biosecurity philanthropy funding estimates that approximately $1 billion is spent annually, with most funding coming from a few large foundations and focused on areas like infectious disease surveillance, pathogenesis research, and vaccine development rather than existential risk priorities.
Key points:
Total biosecurity philanthropy funding is estimated at $780 million to $1.6 billion annually, with a best guess of ~$1 billion. This is a small fraction of total public health philanthropy and government biosecurity spending.
The largest funders are the Wellcome Trust (~$370m), Gates Foundation (~$330m), CEPI (~$180m) and Novo Nordisk Foundation (~$110m). Open Philanthropy is likely the 4th-8th largest funder.
Most funding goes to infectious disease surveillance, pathogenesis research, rapid vaccine development and antimicrobial resistance. Existential risk (GCBR) priority areas receive an estimated 4% of the total.
Biosecurity funding and philanthropy is heavily concentrated in the US and UK. Funding focused on lower-income countries appears limited.
More research is needed to rigorously compare the cost-effectiveness of different biosecurity interventions. However, the analysis suggests potential opportunities in GCBR-focused technology development, policy advocacy, and work in neglected geographical contexts.
This comment was auto-generated by the EA Forum Team. Feel free to point out issues with this summary by replying to the comment, and contact us if you have feedback.