Deadline: 15th September 2025
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), as part of the Artificial Intelligence for Development (AI4D) program, are pleased to announce a call for concept notes on the socio-economic impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) in Africa.
This call supports research that explores how AI is reshaping labour markets, productivity, and inequality across Africa, supporting policy makers to ensure AI works for everyone, especially the most vulnerable.
We invite concept notes that explore the socio-economic impacts of AI in African LMICs, with a focus on differential impacts, inequality and marginalized populations. Projects should address key knowledge gaps and generate evidence to guide responsible AI policies.
Responsible AI is safe, inclusive, rights-based, ethical, and sustainable AI.
Research should align with one or more of the following themes:
- Labour and Livelihoods: How AI is transforming labour markets and employment, especially for youth and informal workers.
- Productivity and Economic Transformation: The role of AI in reshaping sectors and supporting inclusive growth.
- Poverty and Inequality: Risks of exclusion and unequal benefit distribution across demographic groups.
- Global Inequality and AI Colonialism: Power imbalances in AI development and strategies for local innovation.
Benefits
Through this call, AI4D will award up to four grants for up to CAD1 million per project.
Eligibility
Note that this call for proposals is not open to individuals or UN agencies, government ministries and agencies, but it is open to public research institutes and public university centres, labs and departments.
The following eligibility criteria also apply:
- Research team composition: Proposals may be submitted by individual organizations, or by consortia of up to five organizations. Proposals from consortia must name one lead organization, which can sub-grant to the others. Proposals from, or that include, private sector partners should demonstrate how private sector resources – financial or technical knowhow – will contribute to the project. Organizations/consortia must have a strong presence and track record of work in Africa.
- Team expertise: Teams must demonstrate relevant expertise in social science research, AI and digital governance and related fields. Multidisciplinary teams and collaborations across institutions are encouraged, especially those that include early-career researchers, women, and underrepresented groups.
- Institutional capacity: The lead organization must have the administrative and financial capacity to manage the grant and comply with reporting requirements.
- Geographic focus: Research must be focused on sub-Saharan African contexts, with clear relevance to local or regional policy, governance, or development priorities.
Applicants must have independent legal status (or “legal personality”) and be capable of contracting in their own right and name, receiving and administering funds and have authority to direct proposed project activities. Applicants must be able to demonstrate legal status through written documentation. Legal status will only be reviewed if and when applicants are selected following technical selection.
Submission process
IDRC invites eligible applicants to submit concept notes of 3,900 words or less. Applicants should submit an electronic application through the Survey Monkey application platform for this call before the deadline.
The application form for this call for concept notes includes nine fields that applicants will need to complete, considering the maximum number of words allocated per question.
For more information.