Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) invite expressions of interest from organizations to design and implement an innovation research network on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Climate Action.

The goal of this call is to advance the responsible development and deployment of home-grown artificial intelligence (AI) innovations to tackle pressing challenges emerging from climate change in Africa. The opportunity will provide funding to an organization or groups of organizations to design and implement an innovation research network of researchers and innovators applying responsible AI techniques to advance climate action in Africa and contribute to a global AI for Climate Action initiative. 

The selected organization will

• support the competitive selection of high-quality research projects from African innovators and researchers,
• provide conceptual and technical support and guidance to the research network members,
• Collaborate with other AI4D and Climate Change networks and communities in Africa.

Funding Information

• Amount: CAD $1.2 million
• Duration: Up to 32 months

Eligibility Criteria

This call for expressions of interest is open to individual organizations or groups of organizations that

• Have their headquarters based in lower and lower-middle income countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with preference given for organizations in low- and medium-income countries.
• Have a proven record of working in Africa and supporting the design, development, and scaling of climate change and AI innovations in these contexts.
• Internal expertise in AI and climate change mitigation or adaptation;
• Ability to work in both English and French at a minimum.

Trans disciplinary consortia are encouraged to apply. Consortia may consist of up to three (3) organizations. In case of a consortium, the expression of interest needs to provide a rationale explaining why the consortium has come together to implement this innovation research network and describe the role and added value provided by each member organization. Consortia must describe the governance and coordination arrangements they will use to produce high quality work and support fair and equitable partnerships.

NB: This call for expressions of interest is not open to individuals or government ministries and agencies, but it is open to public research institutes and public university centers, labs and departments. It is also open to private sector actors.

For more information, visit IRDC.