Applications Invited for IDRC-CRDI COVID-19 Global South Artificial Intelligence & Data Innovation Program 2020

About the Organization:

International Development Research Centre (IDRC) funds research in developing countries to promote growth, reduce poverty, and drive large-scale positive change. IDRC was established by an act of Canada’s parliament in 1970 with a mandate “to initiate, encourage, support, and conduct research into the problems of the developing regions of the world and into the means for applying and adapting scientific, technical, and other knowledge to the economic and social advancement of those regions.”

IDRC-CRDI COVID-19 Global South Artificial Intelligence and Data Innovation Program 2020

IDRC and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) are contributing up to CA$10 million towards a COVID-19 Global South Artificial Intelligence and Data Innovation Program. The Program aims to support multidisciplinary research to deepen understanding of how to develop and scale responsible (inclusive, rights-based, ethical, and sustainable) evidence-based artificial intelligence (AI) and data science approaches that support COVID-19 response and recovery in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Specifically, the program will aim to support research that is linked to government responses in the following areas:

• Forecasting transmissions and reducing spread through policy and public health interventions;
• Optimizing public health system responses for patient diagnosis, care, and management;
• Mobilizing AI and data science to understand and support gender inclusive COVID-19 action;
• Building trust and combatting mis- and dis-information around COVID-19;
• Strengthening data systems and information sharing about COVID-19; and
• Supporting transparent and responsible AI, data, and digital rights governance around COVID-19 and pandemic responses.
• The multidisciplinary research funded through the call should aim to:
• Deepen understanding of how to develop and scale responsible and evidence-based AI and data science approaches that support COVID-19 response and recovery in developing countries, and to ensure that those responses are gender responsive and culturally appropriate, community specific, and based on local needs and contexts;
• Inform policies, both organizationally and nationally, that support and build trust in AI and data science responses to epidemics and that mitigate potential harms; and
• Strengthen the capacity of health systems in developing countries to respond to epidemics using AI and data science techniques.

Funding:

• The program will support projects between CA $500K to CA$1.25 million for two years (2020–2022). The project funds will be disbursed and administered by IDRC on behalf of the partnership.

Eligibility:

Research consortia and individual organizations may apply, with preference in selection for those based in Low and Middle Income countries.

For the purposes of this call, research consortia are defined as multidisciplinary research collaborations and networks made up of multiple organizations. Preference will be given to research consortia that demonstrate an ability to work across different contexts and directly with governments. Please note that more than 50% of organizations in a consortium must be based in low- and middle-income countries.

• Eligible applicants are legal entities, such as accredited universities, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, or government-funded research organizations. Primary applicants must be a financially stable entity that can receive funds in a timely manner without being subject to lengthy approvals or country clearance. Private sector organizations may apply, although commercial applications and innovations are not eligible for funding.
• Consortia should identify a primary applicant institution that will receive and administer the funds because IDRC will not contract directly with additional organizations. The involvement and role(s) of consortia partners must be clearly articulated in the proposal.

Deadline: June 28, 2020 by 23:45 (EDT)

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