Anthropic has expanded its AI for Science program, which provides researchers with free access to the Claude AI model. The initiative now includes 20 official partners, ranging from scientific foundations to research institutions, marking a shift from the previous model of supporting individual scientists directly.
The program is divided into three distinct categories. Six organizations, including the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the US National Science Foundation, act as intermediaries to distribute credits to their existing research networks. Another six institutions, such as the Space Telescope Science Institute and Imperial College London, utilize the credits for internal research projects.
The final group consists of six specific research projects receiving direct grants, including FlyWire at Princeton University and AstroPath at Johns Hopkins. These collaborations cover diverse fields such as biology, physics, climate science, and neuroscience. Researchers use the model for tasks like hypothesis generation, data analysis, and experimental design.
Since the program's launch in May 2025, hundreds of projects have utilized the platform. Additionally, in August 2026, Anthropic introduced a discounted Claude Team plan for scientists, which combines free standard seats with paid premium options to further support academic and research workflows.
