The Catalyst Program
We bring students and mentors together to produce high-impact work.
Turning ideas and drive into impact
We run a 10 week program where groups of students work with a mentor in one of several high impact cause areas. Projects can be in AI safety (technical and governance), global health and development, biosecurity, or animal welfare.
Students will get the chance to build the skills and knowledge they’ll need for an impactful career. Mentors will get the capacity to explore more ideas and the opportunity to develop and guide future talent.
Our process
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01
Applications
Students can apply starting in August. The application will allow you to select what projects you would be most interested in working on, and may include additional assessments based on your selections.
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02
Kickoff
Successful applicants will be put into groups with their mentor, an experienced student or professional working in one of our cause areas. The students will meet with their mentor at least once a week, and will work towards a predetermined deliverable. Along the way, students will improve their problem solving abilities and knowledge of their cause area.
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03
Wrap up and extension
If possible, students will publicly publish their deliverable and reflect on their project with their mentor. In some cases, the project could be extended at the discretion of the mentor.
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04
Onward and upward
With the completion of their project, students will have gained legible experience and skills. This will help them as they work to obtain other opportunities, and give them a better sense of how they are best suited to make an impact.
Our organizers
Co-President, EA Purdue
Co-Organizer, EA Berkeley
Co-President, UChicago EA
Co-Organizer, EA Berkeley