The Code for Africa (CfA) AI Sandbox Seed Grant 2026 for civil society organisations (CSOs) ($3,000 grant) – Opportunities For Africans

Application Deadline: thirtieth March 2026 

Applications are actually open for the 2026 Code for Africa (CfA) AI Sandbox Seed Grant. The Digitalise Youth consortium, by Code for Africa (CfA), is providing 5 seed grants to civil society organisations (CSOs) primarily based within the Sahel, in addition to neighbouring nations in West and East Africa.

Through this seed grant, chosen CSOs will produce an MVP or working prototype that successfully addresses important challenges together with, however not restricted to, digital rights and freedom of expression, misinformation, disinformation, hate speech, and digital surveillance. Successful candidates will create or scale options that instantly assist their core missions and improve their skill to function safely and successfully in difficult digital environments.  

Applicants ought to have a robust dedication to utilizing human-centred options. Responsibilities for the chosen individuals embody prototyping agile options, scaling current options with AI, optimising efficiency for real-world use, integrating person suggestions, and/or guaranteeing compliance with regional cybersecurity legal guidelines and cultural norms. Priority will probably be given to organisations with a robust monitor file of human rights defence, group engagement, and a transparent dedication to moral AI rules.

Grantees will obtain assist from CfA’s in-house TechLab, DataLab, and AI Sandbox, in addition to its design/content material groups, together with strategic assist from Digitalise Youth companion establishments, starting from coverage recommendation and democratic governance assume tanks to analysis assist. 

The programme will work as follows:

The Grant

• The grant will help HRD organisations in prototyping or scaling AI options that instantly assist their core missions and improve their skill to function safely and successfully in difficult digital environments.  
• The grant quantity for the complete period of the venture is $3,000 (to assist the HRD organisation’s expertise group or to rent AI experience).  
• grants will probably be awarded for six months, with the potential of extension primarily based on demonstrated progress, influence, and dedication to sustainability.  
• Target teams are HRD organisations working within the Sahel area and neighbouring nations, with a particular give attention to these working in restrictive or hostile environments.  

Focus Areas.

• Analysis & Monitoring Tools
• Verification & Fact-Checking Solutions
• Collaboration & Engagement Solutions
• Inclusive Access Solutions

Eligibility Requirements

• Your organisation have to be a registered non-profit or civil society organisation with a mandate to defend human rights within the Sahel area or neighbouring nations.  
• You will need to have a devoted expertise group or show a transparent plan to rent AI experience to implement the proposed AI resolution.  
• You should present proof of a transparent want for AI-powered instruments to deal with particular challenges associated to mis/disinformation, hate speech, or digital surveillance that your organisation faces in your human rights work.  
• You should commit to moral AI growth and deployment practices, together with knowledge privateness, equity, transparency, and accountability.  
• You should show a dedication to group engagement and participatory design, guaranteeing that the AI resolution is developed and deployed in a approach that respects the wants and priorities of the communities you serve. 

Grant Support.

• CfA’s TechLab will present hands-on steerage and mentorship on AI growth, cybersecurity greatest practices, knowledge privateness, and scalable system design.  
• Partner establishments at Digitalise Youth consortium will provide strategic assist on moral AI implementation, human rights issues, and navigating complicated political landscapes.  
• Grantees could have the chance to collaborate with different HRD organisations, expertise specialists, and policymakers by the Digitalise Youth venture’s in depth community, together with the Youth Democracy Cohort, Charter Project Africa, and different DDI initiatives.  
• Successful initiatives will probably be showcased at regional and world boards, akin to RightsCon, the Internet Governance Forum, and the Summit for Democracy, to advertise studying, collaboration, and advocacy for digital rights.  

For More Information:

Opportunities.codeforafrica.org/2026/03/09/call-for-applications-ai-sandbox-seed-grant-2/” goal=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Visit the Official Webpage of the Code for Africa (CfA) AI Sandbox Seed Grant