Concept notes should focus on African low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and address differential impacts, inequality, and marginalized populations. Projects must fill knowledge gaps and generate evidence for responsible AI policymaking. The objectives include producing rigorous, context-specific data on AI’s socio-economic effects and guiding inclusive AI policies.

Research should relate to themes such as AI’s impact on labour markets and livelihoods, particularly for youth and informal workers; its role in boosting productivity and fostering inclusive growth; risks of exclusion and uneven benefits contributing to poverty and inequality; and addressing global imbalances in AI development while promoting local innovation.

The program will provide up to four grants of a maximum CAD 1 million each, with projects lasting no longer than 36 months. Selection will ensure cross-regional representation and coverage of all priority themes, with multi-country studies encouraged.

Eligible applicants must be organizations registered in African LMICs. Proposals can be from individual organizations or consortia of up to five organizations, with one lead organization capable of sub-granting. Private sector partners are welcome if they bring resources or technical expertise. Teams should demonstrate experience in social science research, AI, and digital governance, with a preference for multidisciplinary collaborations and inclusion of early-career researchers, women, and underrepresented groups. The lead organization must have the capacity to manage funds and reporting, and research should be relevant to Sub-Saharan African policy, governance, or development priorities

Responsible AI is safe, inclusive, rights-based, ethical, and sustainable AI.

Research should align with one or more of the following themes:

• Labour and Livelihoods: How AI is transforming labour markets and employment, especially for youth and informal workers.  
• Productivity and Economic Transformation: The role of AI in reshaping sectors and supporting inclusive growth.
• Poverty and Inequality: Risks of exclusion and unequal benefit distribution across demographic groups.
• Global Inequality and AI Colonialism: Power imbalances in AI development and strategies for local innovation.

Through this call, AI4D will award up to four grants for up to CAD1 million per project. Projects must be completed within 36 months, including all research and reporting activities. Only short-listed teams will be asked to submit full research proposals for review and funding consideration. Selected projects are anticipated to begin on January 1, 2026. 

Eligibility

Applicants must be legally registered organizations based in African low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with relevant expertise and institutional capacity. Proposals and team expertise must align with the call’s themes. Teams need to meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the call.