Deadline: 1-Nov-22
Microsoft is currently accepting proposals for the AI for Accessibility Grants Program to empower your work through grants, investments of technology, and expertise.
Through the second Low-Cost Assistive Technology funding round, they are looking for tech-powered solutions that help address some of these challenges with the goal of enhancing access to assistive technologies around the world. They believe designing relevant assistive technology with and by people with disabilities in these regions will spur innovation and help to create better opportunities. Also given the complexity of the issue and the role that multiple stakeholders play.
AI for Accessibility grants support projects that use AI to empower people living with disabilities. They are looking for individuals or teams who are not only passionate about making the world more inclusive, but also firmly rooted in the communities they intend to benefit. They want to invest in ideas that are developed by or with people with disabilities.
Themes
The Program are prioritizing scalable solutions for the below two themes. They may also consider applications that address other aspects of access to assistive technologies that may not be listed here.
- Theme 1: Locally relevant innovation
- Theme 2: Distribution and support
Areas of Focus
- Low-cost Assistive Technology: 80% of people with disabilities live in low- and middle-income countries; only 1 in 10 people have access to assistive technology. They believe that designing relevant assistive technology with and by people with disabilities in these regions will spur innovation and help create better opportunities.
Benefits
- Their grants cover costs related to collecting or labelling data, developing models, or other engineering-related work.
- They provide Azure compute credits worth $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000 as well as Azure developer support and resources.
- You will be included in a supportive community of current grantees and alumni.
- They provide a designated mentor based on your grant topic to help unlock the potential of your project.
- They give you access to a support platform to craft and share your grant project more widely.
Eligibility Criteria
They invite applications from developers, NGO’s, academics, researchers, and inventors to accelerate their work for people with disabilities. This is a global program: Grant applications from all countries are eligible.
For more information, visit https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/ai/ai-for-accessibility-grants