OpenAI opened applications for the Rosalind Academic Plan on October 15, 2026. Approved research labs at U.S. universities get up to 30 ChatGPT Business Standard seats at no cost for 12 months. The plan also includes access to GPT-Rosalind, OpenAI’s model for life sciences research.
Each seat includes ChatGPT and Codex in a shared lab workspace. Standard seats normally cost $25 per user per month, or $20 per user per month billed annually.
Who this affects
- Principal investigators and lab leads at U.S. universities. The PI or lab lead applies for the whole lab.
- Lab members, who join through their PI. Everyone needs an email address on the same university domain.
- Labs outside the U.S. can’t apply yet. Individual researchers, unaffiliated researchers and companies can’t apply.
- Universities with an OpenAI Enterprise agreement request GPT-Rosalind through that agreement instead.
What to do now
- Check whether your university allows a separate ChatGPT Business workspace.
- Ask your safety office to name a trained biosafety contact. The application requires one.
- Apply with the ChatGPT account tied to your .edu email address.
- Approval isn’t automatic. OpenAI reviews each lab and its intended research use.
- After approval, setup asks for a payment card. Read your offer for the end date of the free period and what happens after it.
- Usage limits still apply, and the offer includes no API credits.
Compare every AI subscription on our AI chatbot pricing page, or see all ChatGPT plans on our ChatGPT pricing page.
Source
- ChatGPT release notes, October 15, 2026: applications open, up to 30 Business Standard seats at no cost for up to 12 months.
- Rosalind Academic Plan help article: eligibility, what’s included, the biosafety contact, the payment card at setup and no API credits.
- ChatGPT Business overview: Standard seat prices.
Checked against OpenAI’s ChatGPT release notes and help center on October 24, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Rosalind Academic Plan free?
Yes, for 12 months. Approved labs get up to 30 ChatGPT Business Standard seats at no cost. A payment card is required during setup, and your accepted offer shows the terms that apply after the free period.
Who can apply for the Rosalind Academic Plan?
A principal investigator or designated lab lead at a U.S. university, applying on behalf of the lab. Individual researchers, unaffiliated researchers and companies are not eligible.
Does the Rosalind Academic Plan include API access?
No. The offer includes no API credits or API usage, and approval does not give GPT-Rosalind access through the API.