South-to-South AI Accountability CoLab’s Microgrants

WHAT WE FUND

Examples of activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Transparency in public dialogues: We're looking for projects that could bring in and meaningfully engage diverse, underrepresented civic actors in AI governance dialogues. 
  • How has AI impacted the underrepresented group you plan to engage or have engaged with?
  • How are you planning to engage with them? Are they part of the project design from the beginning? 
• Capacity building: Projects that help civic actors, students/education communities become more informed and equipped to engage with this topic.
  • What are the main gaps in information for your target group? 
  • What format are you planning to use for the capacity-building activities? Have you done a similar project previously?
• Knowledge sharing, scalability: Projects with strategies for sharing learnings and tools with the broader civic actors.
  • What are the main gaps in information for your target group? 
  • What format are you planning to use for the knowledge-sharing activities? Have you done a similar project previously?
• Innovations and creative expressions: Projects that reimagine AI governance from the ground up, building on existing local cultural practices and creative expressions. 
  • In what ways does your project challenge dominant narratives around AI or propose alternatives rooted in community values?
  • How does your project use creative methods — storytelling, arts, digital engagement — to involve communities in reimagining AI governance and tools that are more accountable and responsive to society’s needs?

Activities that are beyond the scope of this grant:

• Projects that are not utilizing Pulitzer Center-supported AI accountability reporting 
• For-profit oriented initiatives 
• Advocacy that serves private sector lobbying interest 
• Campaigns that involve or indirectly endorse political candidates or parties.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Civil Society Actors criteria: 

• Applicants should have experience with informing public understanding and/or influencing policymaking on emerging technology regulations and tech development that serve public interest.
• The applicants should be registered in the countries in one of our focus regions: Africa, Latin America, and South and Southeast Asia. 
• Applicants should have an active leadership role or the support of the leadership in the organization.
• A track record of co-creating impactful projects with other organizations and operational capacity to manage micro-grant resources from an international organization.

Academic (University Professors or Researchers) Criteria: 

• Applicants should be university professors or researchers with experience in tech development and/or tech policymaking that serves the public interest. 
• Applicants should be based in institutions or think tanks in one of our focus regions: Africa, Latin America, and South and Southeast Asia. 
• Applicants should have an active leadership role or the support of the leadership in the education environment they are proposing to work with.
• A track record of co-creating impactful projects with other organizations and operational capacity to manage microgrant resources from an international organization.

PROJECT RESOURCES AND DURATION

We provide microgrants of up to USD $4,000. Selected microgrants will be announced in the first week of October 2025. The maximum duration for project implementation is seven months. Once the project has been selected and the funding agreement with the Pulitzer Center is signed, funds will be transferred to the lead applicant. Formal start and end dates for the project will be established in the agreement. Applicants must submit financial and narrative reports at the end of the period, detailing costs and outcomes. A template will be provided for reporting.

Successful project leads will also be expected to contribute to the Pulitzer Center’s knowledge-sharing initiatives, by sharing knowledge products created and sharing insights learned throughout the project.

GRANT TIMELINE

• Application process: August 1-31, 2025
• Selection process: September 1-26, 2025 
• Grants announcement: October 3, 2025 
• Briefing and grants contracting: October 6-10, 2025 
• Implementation: October 2025-May 2026
• Reporting: July 2026 

By the end of the project, project leads will submit:

• A financial report that includes a final budget outlining how funds were spent
• A narrative report describing program activities, including quantitative and qualitative data, and providing evidence of results
• A reflective piece blog post that summarizes the project activities and results, to be published on the Pulitzer Center website.

PROJECT SELECTION CRITERIA

• Utilize insights from at least one AI Accountability Network reporting as the central part of a project. Click here for a list of resources.
• Present the AI intersection with one or more of the following issues: human rights (social inclusivity, labor, gender equality); emerging technology governance; and environmental impact.
• Provide a clear target audience and a plan to assess the project results.
• Present short-term and long-term project results to align with the following one or two outcomes:
  • Improve understanding of AI's current impact on society 
  • Ability to connect empirical evidence in AI accountability reporting to emerging technology policies 
  • Contribute to a more informed and transparent dialogue on AI that improves decisions, practices, policies, and accountability of governments, corporations, and influential institutions.
  • Represent and amplify diverse perspectives, including those most affected by AI.

HOW TO APPLY

• Prepare relevant documents including resumes/CVs and letters of recommendation.
• Questions? We are hosting a virtual "Ask Me Anything" event on August 20, 2025 at 7:30pm Jakarta/7:30am Bogota/1:30pm Kinshasa (what time is it in my city?). Register here.
• Complete the online application in Submittable by August 31, 2025, at 11:59pm Jakarta or August 31, 2025, 5:59pm Kinshasa, or August 31, 2025, at 11:59am Bogota.

CONTACT

Please reach out to [email protected] for any questions.