Despite the negative comments, this is not all bad:

With the help of expert jurors, Fischer expects to give 10 research awards of $250,000 each this spring to neuroscientists, physicians, psychiatrists, sociologists and others to conduct experiments and studies about, among other things: Can out-of-body experiences be simulated? Will it be possible to extend life by extraordinary amounts? Does belief in a heaven or hell make people less likely to commit crimes?

These are real questions of psychology and cognitive science worth exploring, not some spiritual mumbo-jumbo. The next bit, though, is not as promising:

Next year, an additional $1.5 million is to be distributed among 15 philosophers and theologians, financing research for essays and books about differing aspects of immortality.

Hopefully at least one of those philosophers (forget the theologians) can do something useful, like maybe address the issues about identity preservation and cryonics/uploads/augmentation.

I wonder if MIRI applied for any of the grants?