Deadline: 14-Jul-2026
The ACSS Small Grants Program – Cycle 10 supports research on Artificial Intelligence: Technology, Society and Learning in the Arab Region. Six grantees will receive up to USD 4,000 each for an 8-month research project examining AI’s social, political, educational, ethical, and economic impacts.
Overview
The programme supports new or ongoing research on artificial intelligence and its relationship with society in the Arab region.
It is designed for scholars and activists working in the social sciences, humanities, or related interdisciplinary fields. Projects may include pilot studies, fieldwork, analysis, or extensions of previous research with new cases or sites.
Key Details
- Programme: ACSS Small Grants Program – Cycle 10
- Theme: Artificial Intelligence: Technology, Society and Learning in the Arab Region
- Grant amount: Up to USD 4,000
- Research period: 8 months
- Number of grantees: 6
- Application languages: Arabic, English, or French
- Eligible applicants: Junior and senior scholars, and activists
- Proposal length: 5 pages
Research Focus Areas
The programme supports research on:
- Artificial intelligence and society
- AI governance
- Political economy of AI
- AI and civil society
- AI and social movements
- Labour markets and automation
- Education and learning
- Youth development
- Communication networks
- Ethical implications of AI
- AI and social transformation
- Technology adoption in the Arab region
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Junior scholars
- Senior scholars
- Activists
- Researchers in social sciences
- Researchers in humanities
- Interdisciplinary researchers working on AI-related issues
Applicants should have relevant experience, academic background, or activist engagement related to the proposed topic.
What the Grant Supports
Funding may support fieldwork-related research costs, including:
- Travel
- Accommodation
- Living expenses
- Research equipment
- Supplies
- Consultation fees
- Research assistance
- Principal investigator stipend
The Principal investigator stipend must not exceed 25% of the total budget.
What the Grant Does Not Support
The grant does not cover:
- Conference-related travel
- Conference participation fees
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- Detailed CV
- One-page cover letter
- Proof of nationality or Arab origin, where applicable
- Five-page research proposal
- Academic degree copies
- Completed project timeline form
- Completed budget form
All proposals will be screened for plagiarism.
Selection Criteria
Applications are reviewed by a multidisciplinary selection committee.
Assessment is based on:
- Research quality
- Originality
- Relevance to the theme
- Feasibility of methodology
- Applicant competence
- Expected research outputs
Shortlisted candidates may be invited for interviews.
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Check that you are a scholar or activist with a relevant background in social sciences, humanities, or an interdisciplinary field.
Step 2: Select a Research Topic
Choose a topic connected to AI and its impact on society, politics, learning, labour, ethics, or governance in the Arab region.
Step 3: Prepare the Proposal
Write a clear five-page research proposal explaining the research question, methodology, relevance, timeline, and expected outputs.
Step 4: Prepare Supporting Documents
Collect your CV, cover letter, proof of nationality or Arab origin, academic degree copies, timeline form, and budget form.
Step 5: Prepare the Budget
Request up to USD 4,000 and ensure the PI stipend does not exceed 25% of the total budget.
Step 6: Submit in an Accepted Language
Submit the application in Arabic, English, or French.
Step 7: Await Review
Applications will be reviewed, screened for plagiarism, and shortlisted candidates may be interviewed.
Why It Matters
AI is rapidly reshaping education, work, politics, governance, and public life across the Arab region.
This grant matters because it supports:
- Region-specific AI research
- Social science and humanities perspectives on technology
- Evidence on AI’s impact on labour and learning
- Analysis of AI governance and ethics
- Research on civil society and digital transformation
- New scholarship and activist knowledge
- Public understanding of AI-related social change
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Submitting proposals outside the AI theme
- Providing vague research questions
- Exceeding the five-page proposal limit
- Requesting more than USD 4,000
- Budgeting conference travel or conference fees
- Exceeding the 25% stipend cap
- Submitting incomplete documents
- Using plagiarised content
- Providing an unrealistic timeline for 8 months
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants should:
- Choose a focused AI-related research question.
- Clearly explain relevance to the Arab region.
- Use a feasible methodology.
- Show originality and social importance.
- Link the research to current debates on AI.
- Prepare a realistic 8-month timeline.
- Align the budget with research activities.
- Clearly describe expected outputs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ACSS Small Grants Program Cycle 10?
It is a small grants programme supporting research on artificial intelligence, technology, society, and learning in the Arab region.
How much funding is available?
Each selected grantee may receive up to USD 4,000.
How long is the research period?
The research period is 8 months.
How many grantees will be selected?
Six grantees will be selected.
Who can apply?
Junior and senior scholars, activists, and researchers in social sciences, humanities, or interdisciplinary fields may apply.
What documents are required?
Applicants must submit a CV, cover letter, proof of nationality or Arab origin where applicable, five-page research proposal, academic degree copies, project timeline, and budget forms.
What outputs are expected?
Successful applicants must submit progress and final reports, attend ACSS events, and produce a working paper for the ACSS Working Papers Series.
Conclusion
The ACSS Small Grants Program – Cycle 10 supports timely research on how artificial intelligence is transforming society, learning, politics, labour, and public life in the Arab region. With grants of up to USD 4,000, the programme enables scholars and activists to produce original, policy-relevant, and socially grounded research on AI and its regional impacts.
For more information, visit ACSS.
