# OpenAI Offers Free Frontier-Model Access to 100,000 Academic Researchers > Source: > Published: 2026-07-30 11:23:09.878447+00:00 # OpenAI Offers Free Frontier-Model Access to 100,000 Academic Researchers - OpenAI plans to provide free access to 100,000 academic researchers, starting with 10,000 participants in summer 2026 and expanding through 2027. [[1]](https://openai.com/index/chatgpt-for-academic-researchers/) - Participants receive GPT-5.6 models, Codex, ChatGPT Work, expanded deep research and higher usage limits, but OpenAI did not disclose numerical caps. [[1]](https://openai.com/index/chatgpt-for-academic-researchers/) - OpenAI says workspace data will not train its models by default; its business terms assign customers ownership of their inputs and outputs where permitted by law. [[3]](https://openai.com/policies/services-agreement/)[[4]](https://openai.com/business-data/) OpenAI will give as many as 100,000 academic researchers free access to its most advanced AI models and research tools, starting with 10,000 scientists, mathematicians and engineers in summer 2026. The company plans to continue expanding the program through 2027. [[1]](https://openai.com/index/chatgpt-for-academic-researchers/) ChatGPT for Academic Researchers includes the GPT-5.6 model family, including GPT-5.6 Sol Pro at launch, alongside Codex, ChatGPT Work, more deep-research capacity, larger context windows and higher usage limits. OpenAI did not publish exact message, compute or tool quotas. Axios reported that each selected researcher will receive one year of access roughly comparable to the company’s $200-per-month ChatGPT Pro subscription. [[1]](https://openai.com/index/chatgpt-for-academic-researchers/)[[2]](https://www.axios.com/2026/07/29/openai-academics-research-chatgpt-sol) ## Selection is limited to research-intensive universities Applicants must conduct active research at a selected, recognized degree-granting college or university with a high level of research activity. They must verify their institutional affiliation and describe their research and intended scientific use. Approved applicants can invite as many as four collaborators from the same institution, with every account counting toward the 100,000-person ceiling. [[1]](https://openai.com/index/chatgpt-for-academic-researchers/) OpenAI has not released a complete list of eligible countries or universities. Its first named participants include the Institute for Advanced Study in New Jersey and École normale supérieure in France, showing that the initial program extends beyond the United States. The announcement did not include comments from either institution. Universities already using ChatGPT Edu will coordinate access through their existing workspace. [[1]](https://openai.com/index/chatgpt-for-academic-researchers/) ## Privacy protections, but no separate program budget OpenAI says program workspaces receive business-grade privacy and security protections and that participant data will not be used for model training by default. Under the company’s published business terms, customers retain ownership of inputs and own outputs where the law allows; OpenAI receives limited rights needed to deliver the service. Researchers remain responsible for having permission to upload material and for checking model output. [[3]](https://openai.com/policies/services-agreement/)[[4]](https://openai.com/business-data/) The access program is part of OpenAI’s commitment to spend more than $250 million on external scientific research and discovery through 2027, including the separate $50 million NextGenAI initiative. OpenAI did not disclose a standalone cost for the researcher-access program or announce cash grants for its participants. [[1]](https://openai.com/index/chatgpt-for-academic-researchers/) ## Companies mentioned ## Further sources [[1] OpenAI, “Accelerating scientific discovery with ChatGPT for Academic Researcher… ↗](https://openai.com/index/chatgpt-for-academic-researchers/) [[2] Axios, “OpenAI opens its top AI models to 100,000 academic researchers,” July 2… ↗](https://www.axios.com/2026/07/29/openai-academics-research-chatgpt-sol) [[3] OpenAI Services Agreement, customer-content and intellectual-property provision… ↗](https://openai.com/policies/services-agreement/) [[4] OpenAI, “Business data privacy, security, and compliance.” ↗](https://openai.com/business-data/) The stories that matter, in one email. Free — unsubscribe anytime.