In short
MacArthur has published no rule on whether applicants may use AI to write proposals. Its AI policy for staff bars the use of AI for grantmaking decisions or evaluation. Staff also may not enter confidential, proprietary, personal, or sensitive information into AI tools, except as the policy permits. During due diligence, staff may use AI tools to gather public information. They then review and verify what they find.
Reviewer rules only. The funder has rules for reviewers and has published none for applicants.
For applicants
MacArthur Foundation has published no rules for applicants.
For reviewers
- MacArthur staff may not use AI for grantmaking decisions or evaluation. The Foundation states that it will never use AI to make a grant, hire an employee, write a strategy, or make other significant decisions that require human judgement. [1][2]
- Staff may not enter confidential, proprietary, personal, or sensitive information into AI tools. This covers information about the Foundation, grantees, vendors, investees, and others it works with. The policy allows exceptions only where it permits them. [1]
- Due diligence often begins before a grant decision is made. During this stage, MacArthur may use AI tools to gather publicly available information. Staff review and verify what they find. [3]
Sources
Policy on Use of Artificial Intelligence at the MacArthur Foundation (opens in a new tab)
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.
Creativity and Learning with AI (opens in a new tab)
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.
Our Approach to Due Diligence (April 2026) (opens in a new tab)
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 what the funder has published and is not legal advice. Policies change, and one solicitation can add its own rules. Confirm against the funding announcement before you apply.