Artificial Intelligence and automated decision making are too often developed without consideration for the needs of the individuals and communities they affect. For a fair, inclusive and sustainable future, a wide range of voices must help decide what role AI should play in European societies. The European AI Fund works to make sure civil society is heard loud and clear. The Paneuropean initiative is now inviting applications for core funding that will support civil society organisations to build policy and advocacy capacity. The deadline for applications is 25 July 2022.

The European AI Fund empowers a diverse ecosystem of civil society organisations to shape technology and policy around Artificial Intelligence. Its 2022 Open Call offers a total of 1.8m Euros in core funding to support organisations on two fronts:

  • Organisations that already focus on AI and its impacts: support to strengthen their policy and advocacy capacity
  • Organisations that focus primarily on other issues such as climate, race, migration, labour rights or justice: support to build up their expertise and capacity around AI and its impacts on the communities they represent

The fund offers flexible core funding as well as non-financial support like training and network-building. It accepts applications from civil society organisations from all over Europe. Grant amounts may vary depending on the needs of the organisation from €50,000 to a maximum of €250,000 for a two-year period, commencing in November 2022. The first stage of the application process requires a brief outline due on July 25.

The European AI Fund is a philanthropic initiative by a coalition of foundations and is hosted by the Network of European Foundations. Current partners are Bertelsmann Stiftung, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Fondation Nicolas Puech, Ford Foundation, King Baudouin Foundation, Limelight Foundation, Luminate, Mozilla Foundation, Oak Foundation, Open Society Foundations, Porticus, Robert Bosch Foundation and Stiftung Mercator.

More information about the fund with all details of the 2022 Open Call is available here. Interested organisation can also register for two more online session on July 14 and July 19 to learn more about the Fund and ask any questions they have.

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