The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) are inviting concept notes for research on the socio-economic impact of AI on people and economies in Africa.
Implemented through the Artificial Intelligence for Development (AI4D) program, the call aims to understand how AI is changing jobs, productivity, and inequality in Africa. The goal is to help policymakers make sure AI benefits everyone, including vulnerable and marginalized groups.
Applicants are invited to propose research that explores the socio-economic impacts of AI in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Africa.
Proposals should focus on inequality, different impacts on groups, and the situation of marginalized populations, while filling knowledge gaps and guiding responsible AI policies.
Research focus
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Labour and livelihoods: How AI is changing jobs and work, especially for youth and informal workers.
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Productivity and economic transformation: How AI is reshaping industries and driving inclusive growth.
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Poverty and inequality: What are the possible risks of some groups being left out or not benefiting equally?
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Global inequality and AI colonialism: Power imbalances in AI development and ways to support local innovation.
Funding
- Up to four grants will be awarded, each worth up to 1 million Canadian dollars, for projects lasting no longer than 36 months.
- Research that covers multiple countries is encouraged, and selected projects will aim for good regional representation and coverage of all priority themes.
Who can apply?
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Organizations registered or incorporated in African LMICs.
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Proposals may come from a single organization or a group of up to five organizations (with one lead).
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Private sector partners are welcome if they bring financial or technical resources.
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Teams must have experience in social science research, AI, digital governance, or related fields.
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Multidisciplinary teams and inclusion of early-career researchers, women, and underrepresented groups are encouraged.
Conditions
- The applying organization must have the financial and administrative ability to manage the grant.
- All research must focus on Sub-Saharan African contexts and be relevant to local or regional policy, governance, or development priorities.
Application deadline
Submit your application on or before September 17, 2025. Begin the process HERE.
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are seeking research proposals to explore the effects of AI on people and economies in Africa through the AI4D program.
This initiative aims to better understand AI's impact on jobs, productivity, and inequality in Africa, ensuring benefits for all, including vulnerable groups. Research should address socio-economic implications of AI in low- to middle-income African countries, focusing on inequality, impacts on diverse groups, and marginalized populations, targeting knowledge gaps and responsible AI policymaking.
The research will focus on areas such as labor and livelihoods, economic transformation, poverty and inequality, and global inequality and AI colonialism.
Up to four grants of 1 million Canadian dollars each will be awarded for projects of up to 36 months, encouraging multinational research for broad regional representation.
Eligible applicants include organizations in African LMICs, either singly or as a collaborative group, including private sector partners contributing financial or technical resources.
Teams must have expertise in relevant fields such as social sciences, AI, and digital governance, with a preference for multidisciplinary and inclusive groups.
Applicants should demonstrate financial and administrative competence to manage the grants, and all research must pertain to sub-Saharan African regions and align with local policy and development priorities. Applications are due by the specified deadline.
