Meta has announced the introduction of the Llama 3.1 Impact Grants, with a funding pool of up to $2 million, which will help organizations worldwide with an emphasis on Turkey, the Middle East, and Africa.
This was disclosed in a statement by Meta, adding that the grant program is intended to solicit applications from businesses that hope to use Llama’s AI to address social concerns in their local communities.
It further stated that submissions pertaining to public service, scientific innovation, economic development, and other significant fields will receive special consideration.
According to the company, selected applicants stand to receive up to $500,000, with the announcement of winners slated for early next year.
According to Meta, organizations based in nations where participation in or acceptance of an award from local law is not prohibited are eligible to apply for the Grant Program. It said that in order to take part, each Organization had to meet the following criteria:
Must not be an individual, a sole proprietor, or sole-owner entity in the jurisdiction where it is formed;
Be an entity that is duly formed prior to August 5, 2023, and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the Organization was formed;
“Be an entity that is duly formed prior to August 5, 2023, and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the Organization was formed;
Have the legal right to participate in this Award Program and its participation will not violate any agreement or obligation between the organization and any third-party;
The Applicant must be an employee of or affiliated with the organization and must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and the age of majority in the Applicant’s jurisdiction of residence.
The applicant must be at least eighteen (18) years old, the age of majority in the applicant’s jurisdiction of residence, and employed by or associated with the organization.
The Llama 3.1 Impact Grants application window is open from Monday, August 5, 2024, until Friday, November 22, 2024, according to Meta. It is recommended that interested organizations apply here.
The Vice President, Public Policy, Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey at Meta, Kojo Boakye said the project further demonstrates Meta’s dedication to using open-source AI to address important global issues.
“We’re inspired by the diverse projects we’ve seen developers undertake around the world to positively impact their communities by building with Llama.
“We believe AI has more potential than any other modern technology to increase human productivity, creativity, and quality of life—and to accelerate economic growth while unlocking progress in medical and scientific research.
“The Llama 3.1 Impact Grants program presents an opportunity to further empower organizations to leverage AI for social good and to drive meaningful change,” Boakye said.
To facilitate prospective applicants, Meta said it would conduct a series of regional events encompassing virtual events, in-person hackathons, workshops, and training sessions.
