The New Commons Challenge is an initiative led by Microsoft and the Open Data Policy Lab, in partnership with DirectRelief, the Harvard Institutional Data Initiative, and UNESCO (international observer).
The challenge addresses a critical issue: the limited access to diverse and high-quality datasets, which is essential for AI to reach its full potential. By creating and improving data commons, which are collaboratively governed data ecosystems that pool and provide responsible access to diverse, high-quality datasets, the gap in AI development can be filled. The challenge seeks to seed new data commons to ensure that AI benefits all.
Priority Areas
Strengthen Disaster Response: data commons that empower humanitarian actors to make informed decisions before, during, and after emergencies. By providing timely and accurate information, we can enhance disaster response efforts and save lives.
Enabling Localized Decision-Making: data commons that provide access to diverse, high-quality datasets, enabling actors within a local context to enhance coordination, use information effectively, and make informed decisions tailored to their specific needs and circumstances, such as for public health, urban planning, or environmental preservation.
Eligibility
They welcome applicants from across backgrounds and fields. They feel this challenge may be most applicable to nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, start-ups, and development organizations.
Applicants must be affiliated with an established organization. If invited to submit a full proposal, applicants must provide information about the tax status of their organization.
Government entities are not eligible to participate. For-profit entities submitting proposals to the New Commons Challenge may undergo extra review to ensure that their proposal aids the public on an issue related to humanitarian response and/or localized decision-making.
Prizes
The New Commons Challenge will select two winning proposals to receive:
US$100,000 in funding each
Mentorship on establishing and managing data commons
Technical support as needed
Access to the Open Data Policy Lab’s global network of experts
Application Process
The application process will occur over two phases:
In the first phase, applicants will be expected to submit a concept note (no more than three pages) outlining the opportunity, the data they have access to, how that data would be commonly governed, and the overall relevance to the Challenge focus. All concept notes are due by June 2, 2025.
These concept notes will be reviewed and evaluated by the Open Data Policy Lab team. The highest-scoring of these will be invited to submit a full proposal by June 16, 2025. Those applicants will be asked to more fully describe the innovation, as well as its feasibility, impact, and delivery team. These proposals must be provided by July 14, 2025.
