Deadline:
June 02, 2025
Location(s)
Online
Overview
Details
CHALLENGE OVERVIEW
The New Commons Challenge is an initiative led by Microsoft and the Open Data Policy Lab, in partnership with DirectRelief, the Harvard Institutional Data Initiative, and UNESCO (international observer).
The challenge addresses a critical issue: the limited access to diverse and high-quality datasets, which is essential for AI to reach its full potential. By creating and improving data commons, which are collaboratively governed data ecosystems that pool and provide responsible access to diverse, high-quality datasets, the gap in AI development can be filled. The challenge seeks to seed new data commons to ensure that AI benefits all.
Objectives
- Reimagine ways to expand responsible access to diverse datasets, including new and existing data sources.
- Demonstrate how data commons can be deployed, managed, and maintained.
- Demonstrate real-world impact by creating tangible benefits for end users.
We welcome initiatives that expand access to diverse data sources, including text, video, images, audio, and synthetic data as outlined in the Open Data Policy Lab’s A Blueprint to Unlock New Data Commons for AI.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
What are we looking for?
- Improve Localized Decision-making: Help local leaders make better policy or improve their reasoning capabilities through improved access to or insights from data
- Humanitarian Interventions: Strengthen disaster response capabilities using AI.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- We welcome applicants from across backgrounds and fields. We feel this challenge may be most applicable to nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, start-ups, and development organizations.
- Applicants must be affiliated with an established organization. If invited to submit a full proposal, applicants must provide information about the tax status of their organization.
- Government entities are not eligible to participate. For-profit entities submitting proposals to the New Commons Challenge may undergo extra review to ensure that their proposal aids the public on an issue related to humanitarian response and/or localized decision-making.
Dates
Deadline: June 02, 2025
Cost/funding for participants
Prizes
The New Commons Challenge will select two winning proposals to receive the following support package:
Two winners
- US$100,000in funding each
- Mentorship on establishing and managing data commons
- Technical support as needed
- Access to the Open Data Policy Lab’s global network of experts
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
