Up to $1 Million for Community-Led AI Projects – Humanity AI

The Humanity AI Open Call: Communities Leading on AI is providing funding for US-based projects that give communities greater power over how AI is developed, governed and used. It particularly wants projects led by the people directly affected by AI, including workers, students, educators, artists and creators.

Here’s what you can expect:

• $75,000–$1 million per grant

• $10 million available overall

• Tier 1: $75,000–$150,000

• Tier 2: $150,000–$500,000

• Tier 3: $500,000–$1 million

• Funding can cover projects lasting up to three years

• Support for community-led approaches to AI

• Projects influencing how AI is governed and used

• Development of AI and infrastructure shaped by communities

• Work challenging harmful or inappropriate uses of AI

• Priority for open-source or open-weight AI where AI models form a core part of the project.

Funding focuses on three main areas: education, labour and the economy, and humanities, arts and culture. Projects that are primarily AI literacy, simply encourage adoption of AI tools, or consist only of research without community leadership aren't within the scope of this call.

Who can apply?

• US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organisations

• Collaborations led by a US-based 501(c)(3)

• Individuals and informal groups working through an eligible fiscal sponsor

• Artists, students, workers, scholars and technologists through an eligible nonprofit/fiscal sponsor

• Eligible Tribal governments

• For-profit businesses can participate in collaborations but cannot be the lead applicant

• International organisations can participate in collaborations but cannot lead

• Proposed work must focus on US-based communities.

Deadline: 21 October 2026 at 4:59pm PT / 7:59pm ET.