Africa Innovation Mradi: Research Grants

The Africa Innovation Mradi Research Grants aim to support research led by social justice communities looking at the intersections between AI and social justice in Southern and Eastern Africa. This could be an in depth look at AI in relation to human rights, economic justice, racial justice, community justice, gender justice, disability justice, LGBTQIA+ rights, or environmental justice.

This is why they wish to have a better understanding of the intersections between AI and social justice in various contexts, including for human rights, economic justice, racial justice, community justice, gender justice, disability justice, LGBTQIA+ rights, and environmental justice.

Research conducted under this grant can either take the form of a study of either region, a case study in one country, or a comparative analysis on a similar theme of two or more countries across the same region.

Awardees will join a cohort of researchers from Eastern or Southern Africa whose work is focused on understanding the impact of AI in different communities. The research should be carried out and finalized during the 3 month grant period, which they expect to be from October 2023 to January 2024.

Funding Information

• At least six research grants, that will range from $5,000 to $10,000 USD, will be made. Final selection of applicants and grants amounts are at the discretion of the Mozilla staff.

Additional Support

In addition to funding, they also offer the following support and resources to Awardees:

• Expert/Mentorship Support: Awardees will have access to Mozilla Fellows and other experts in Mozilla’s network with relevant subject matter expertise, including Mozilla’s Insights team, who may serve as advisors or mentors.
• Cohort and Individual Support: Awardees will convene virtually as a cohort for group working and feedback sessions, peer-to-peer support, and/or workshops; and meet 1:1 with Mozilla staff for additional support.
• Community: Mozilla helps to facilitate connections for Awardees with like-minded leaders, partner organizations, alumni, and Mozilla staff.
• Showcasing Work: Mozilla holds an annual festival called MozFest which brings together artists, activists, thinkers, and builders working from around the world who are all working towards a healthier internet. This event provides a place and an opportunity to convene, facilitate or curate in a way that helps fellows and awardees raise the issues that are most pressing for them and their communities.
• Communication Support: Mozilla’s Communications and Marketing Team provides a range of supports for Awardees, including developing tailored communication strategies for each project, pitching to local and international media outlets, crafting social media campaigns, and sharing with Mozilla’s website audience and email list.

Key Research Questions

• How does the community you propose to study understand and refer to AI?
• How is the community coming to terms with its use of AI?
• Does AI shift power and meet their needs?
• Does AI or digital technology surface as a topic people can mobilize and organize around?
• What would be opportunities to engage with technology builders or regulators on local concerns?
• In what ways do data collection and machine learning present a local threat or opportunity for your community of focus?
• How can the work of communities at the intersections be supported and strengthened?
• Your proposal should outline a methodology that explains how you would go about answering some or all of these questions. You are free to determine the format and language for publishing the results of your research. Whether it be written or in some other medium, we expect that either all or part of the research be openly accessible online. You should also include a description of how you intend to share the findings with all critical stakeholders.
• As part of the final grant report, you will be asked to submit a (non-public) written summary in English of your research process and outputs.

Eligibility Criteria

• For this grant opportunity, they are primarily interested in collaborating with individuals, networks, and self-organized groups and organizations that are based in or legally operate on the African continent, that they have not worked with before. So, do forward this to your wider network if that’s you.
• You should have clarity on, and a direct connection to, the community you propose to study. Perhaps this means that you have helped lead communities or that you are a social scientist. Your application should highlight what experience you believe qualifies you.
• You should be a confident writer or researcher with previous experience of sharing research. However, this can be in any type of publication, either professional, academic, or activist. This can include journals, newspapers, blogs, websites, etc, in any language.
• Applicants must meet the following requirements
  • Be individuals, networks, and/or not for profit organizations that are based in Africa
  • Be legally able to receive funds in the form of grants from the Mozilla Foundation, a U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
  • Be focused on research related to social justice and AI, and/or digital technology in Africa
  • They are also interested in reaching individuals, networks, and/or organizations with whom they have not previously worked.
  • Grantees will be selected based on a review of applications by Mozilla’s Africa Innovation Mradi and Insights (research) teams.
• The criteria for reviewing applications will consider the following:
  • Geographic location and work focus of applicants
  • Applicant experience or collaboration with a partner with the experience of producing AI and digital technology research in Africa
  • Applicant familiarity with national or regional contexts, clear articulation of social justice issue, and selected research priority
  • Clearly specified social group or community of focus and a plan of engagement with them around the selected issue
  • Clearly defined methodology and impact, research plan, and budget
  • Only those projects that meet the grant criteria for this funding opportunity will be reviewed. All proposed grant decisions are subject to a legal review to confirm the applicant’s eligibility.

For more information, visit Mozilla.