Call for Remote Access to Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in partnership with the Computing and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at the Brazilian Center for Physics Research (AI-Lab/CBPF), is inviting applications for remote access to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and High-Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure. The initiative aims to expand equitable access to advanced computational resources, strengthen international scientific collaboration, and support AI-driven research across multiple disciplines.

About the UNESCO AI & High-Performance Computing Access Program

The UNESCO AI & High-Performance Computing Access Program is part of UNESCO’s Open Science and Remote Access to Lab Equipment (UNESRALE) initiatives. The program seeks to democratize access to advanced computational infrastructure by allowing researchers to remotely use AI and HPC resources hosted in Latin America.

The initiative supports collaborative research, promotes open science, and helps researchers address scientific challenges through cutting-edge computational technologies.

Program Objectives

The initiative aims to:

• Expand equitable access to AI and High-Performance Computing resources.
• Promote open science and international scientific collaboration.
• Support AI-driven research across multiple disciplines.
• Strengthen research capacity through mentoring and technical training.
• Encourage innovation using advanced computational infrastructure.
• Build long-term global research partnerships.
• Support early-career researchers in developing advanced technical skills.

Focus Areas

The program supports research in areas including:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Machine Learning
• Data Science
• High-Performance Computing (HPC)
• Computational Modeling
• Life Sciences
• Environmental Health
• Digital Innovation
• Scientific Computing
• Open Science
• Collaborative Research
• Emerging Digital Technologies

Program Benefits

Selected participants will receive:

• Remote access to advanced AI infrastructure.
• Access to High-Performance Computing (HPC) resources.
• Opportunities for international collaborative research.
• Mentorship from experienced researchers.
• Joint training sessions and workshops.
• Practical research experience.
• Participation in collaborative data challenges.
• Opportunities to strengthen technical and computational skills.
• International networking with researchers across multiple regions.

Who is Eligible?

Applicants must:

• Be an MSc student, PhD student, postdoctoral researcher, or junior faculty member.
• Be from one of the following eligible regions:
  • Latin America
  • The Caribbean
  • Africa
  • Ukraine
  • Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
• Present a clearly defined research project or innovative research idea.
• Demonstrate strong English language proficiency.

Eligible Research Areas

Research proposals may focus on:

• Artificial Intelligence applications
• Data science and analytics
• Computational modeling
• Life sciences research
• Environmental health
• Digital innovation
• Scientific computing
• Cross-disciplinary computational research
• AI-enabled scientific discovery

How the Program Works

The initiative provides researchers with remote access to computational resources without requiring physical access to laboratory facilities.

Participants can:

• Conduct AI and computational research remotely.
• Collaborate with international research teams.
• Participate in mentoring activities.
• Join technical training sessions.
• Access advanced computing infrastructure for research projects.
• Engage in collaborative scientific challenges.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

1. Develop a clearly defined research proposal or innovative idea.
2. Ensure eligibility based on academic status and geographic region.
3. Prepare supporting information demonstrating research objectives.
4. Demonstrate English language proficiency.
5. Submit the application according to the program requirements.
6. Await evaluation and selection.

Selection Criteria

Applications are expected to be assessed based on:

• Quality of the proposed research project.
• Innovation and scientific relevance.
• Potential impact of the research.
• Alignment with AI and computational research objectives.
• Applicant’s academic background.
• Readiness to participate in collaborative international research.

Why This Program Matters

The UNESCO AI & High-Performance Computing Access Program helps reduce global inequalities in access to advanced research infrastructure.

The initiative supports:

• Democratization of AI research resources.
• Open science principles.
• Capacity building for early-career researchers.
• International scientific cooperation.
• Cross-border knowledge exchange.
• Innovation through advanced computing technologies.
• Stronger research ecosystems in developing regions.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve your chances of selection:

• Clearly define your research objectives.
• Explain how AI or HPC resources will support your project.
• Highlight the scientific significance of your work.
• Demonstrate innovation and practical impact.
• Present a realistic research plan.
• Ensure your application is complete and well-organized.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common application errors:

• Submitting an unclear or poorly defined research proposal.
• Failing to explain the need for AI or HPC infrastructure.
• Providing incomplete supporting information.
• Demonstrating insufficient English proficiency.
• Proposing projects without clear scientific objectives.
• Omitting required application materials.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the UNESCO AI & High-Performance Computing Access Program?

Eligible applicants include MSc students, PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and junior faculty members from Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Ukraine, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

What does the program provide?

The program provides remote access to Artificial Intelligence and High-Performance Computing infrastructure, along with mentorship, collaborative training, and international research opportunities.

Which research fields are supported?

The initiative supports AI, data science, computational modeling, life sciences, environmental health, digital innovation, and related computational research fields.

Do participants need to travel?

No. The program provides remote access to AI and HPC infrastructure, allowing participants to conduct research from their own institutions.

Is English language proficiency required?

Yes. Applicants must demonstrate strong proficiency in English.

Does the program include mentorship?

Yes. Selected researchers receive mentoring, participate in collaborative training activities, and gain practical research experience alongside international experts.

Why is this initiative important?

The program promotes equitable access to advanced computing resources, strengthens international scientific collaboration, supports open science, and helps researchers from underserved regions participate in cutting-edge AI and computational research.

Conclusion

The UNESCO AI & High-Performance Computing Access Program provides an outstanding opportunity for early-career researchers to access world-class computational infrastructure, collaborate with international experts, and advance innovative research in artificial intelligence, data science, and related scientific fields. Through remote access, mentorship, and open science principles, the initiative helps build global research capacity while making advanced digital research environments more accessible to researchers worldwide.