Leverage Research describes itself as a nonprofit research institute that conducts research in early stage science. However, Leverage Research has been credibly accused of serious wrongdoing[1][2] and has been described by the rationalist blogger Ozy Brennan as a "cult"[3] and by a pseudonymous LessWrong poster as having the characteristics of a "high-demand group", which is a technical term for a cult.[4] The belief that Leverage Research is a cult or high-demand group is widely held in the effective altruism community.[5]
Leverage Research has a sister organization called Paradigm Academy. Paradigm describes itself as providing training to individuals and incubates startups.[6]
As of June 2022, Leverage Research has received $80,000 in funding from the Survival and Flourishing Fund.[7]