Microsoft AI for Accessibility Grants program is calling for project proposals that will drive AI-based innovations in education and promote equity for students with disabilities.
About the grant
The AI for Accessibility Grants program is a call to action for developers, NGOs, academics, institutions, and tech startups who are willing to co-design AI-powered projects and products with students, parents, and teachers with disabilities, thereby creating an equal playing field within the education ecosystem.
The initiative aims to support projects that leverage AI to empower people living with disabilities as well as invest in innovative ideas that are developed by or with people with disabilities. Being a global program, grant applications from all countries in the world are invited.
Benefits
In addition to Azure compute credits worth $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000 (depending on the project, its scope, and needs), these grants cover costs related to collecting or labeling data, developing models, or other engineering-related work. Applications are evaluated on their scientific merit, innovative use of AI technology, and potential for scalability.
The community of AI for Accessibility grantees also stands to receive Azure developer support, resources, and opportunities to collaborate and showcase their work.
Requirements
Applicants’ project proposal should describe the accessibility challenge addressed, the technical solution proposed, and its potential impact on people with disabilities. Please follow the application form and be as specific as possible. Review the proposal requirements document for further information.
Note that if you do not meet all the requirements, you may connect to someone in your community who can support you and partner on an application.
How to apply for the grant
Submit your project proposal via the online portal.
Deadline
Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed a few times a year. The next deadline is Friday, July 30, 2021, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.
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