Microsoft launches $5 million AI for Good Open Call grant program to drive positive change in Washington state

Rhea-AI Summary

Microsoft has announced a $5 million AI for Good Open Call grant program aimed at driving innovation in Washington state. The initiative, launched to celebrate Microsoft's 50th anniversary, invites organizations to leverage AI for addressing social and scientific challenges. Eligible participants include nonprofits, academic institutions, researchers, startups, and businesses based in or benefiting Washington state.

Projects must focus on sustainability, public health, education, or human rights. Selected grantees will collaborate with Microsoft's AI scientists and receive access to Azure compute resources. Applications are open until February 17, 2025, with notifications scheduled for March 18, 2025. Successful applicants must demonstrate potential for creating unique, scalable solutions backed by clean, accurate, and unbiased data.

Positive

• Commitment of $5 million in grants for AI innovation
• Strategic expansion of AI capabilities through collaborative research
• Potential for developing new AI solutions that could benefit Microsoft's ecosystem

Negative

• None.

New program celebrates 50 years of innovation in Washington state

REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On Wednesday, with the goal of fostering innovative solutions in its home state of Washington, Microsoft Corp. announced an AI for Good Open Call, a program that will award $5 million in grants and the opportunity to collaborate with Microsoft's leading AI scientists. Organizations are invited to leverage the power of artificial intelligence to address pressing social and scientific challenges in Washington state.

Diverse entities, including nonprofits, academic institutions, individual researchers, startups and businesses based in or benefiting Washington state, are eligible to participate. Projects must focus on addressing sustainability, public health, education or human rights.

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Microsoft created this program as a goodwill gift to Washington. It's an opportunity to highlight the global innovations coming from Washington state, as Microsoft and others work to build and deploy responsible AI innovations.

"If you lead an organization that is tackling one of our state's most pressing issues, from sustainable energy development to addressing housing affordability, we invite you to apply for a Microsoft AI for Good grant," said Juan Lavista Ferres, corporate vice president and chief data scientist of the AI for Good Lab at Microsoft. "As we look toward Microsoft's 51st year, our AI for Good Lab will globally provide extensive opportunities for collaborative research projects leveraging Azure compute resources. This is a focused opportunity for our home state of Washington, and we're confident it will harness innovative solutions to complex questions."

Successful grant applicants will show potential for their concept and data to result in a unique and scalable solution to a major scientific or societal challenge. Strong applicants will have clean, accurate and unbiased high-quality data.

Organizations based in Washington or benefiting residents of Washington are invited to submit their online applications by Feb. 17, 2025. Selected grantees will be notified by March 18, 2025.

Community members will have the opportunity to ask questions prior to submitting their applications. For more information and to ask questions, please visit Microsoft AI for Good Lab Open Call.

Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT" @microsoft) creates platforms and tools powered by AI to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. The technology company is committed to making AI available broadly and doing so responsibly, with a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit Microsoft Source at https://news.microsoft.com/source. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft's Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at https://news.microsoft.com/microsoft-public-relations-contacts. 

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/microsoft-launches-5-million-ai-for-good-open-call-grant-program-to-drive-positive-change-in-washington-state-302357118.html

SOURCE Microsoft Corp.

FAQ

What is the value and deadline for Microsoft's (MSFT) AI for Good Open Call grants in 2025?

Microsoft's AI for Good Open Call program offers $5 million in grants, with applications due by February 17, 2025.

Who is eligible to apply for Microsoft's (MSFT) 2025 AI for Good grants in Washington?

Nonprofits, academic institutions, individual researchers, startups, and businesses based in or benefiting Washington state are eligible to apply.

What areas do Microsoft's (MSFT) 2025 AI for Good grants focus on?

The grants focus on projects addressing sustainability, public health, education, or human rights in Washington state.

When will Microsoft (MSFT) announce the AI for Good grant recipients for 2025?

Microsoft will notify selected grantees by March 18, 2025.

What resources will Microsoft (MSFT) provide to AI for Good grant winners in 2025?

Grant winners will receive funding and the opportunity to collaborate with Microsoft's AI scientists, along with access to Azure compute resources.