Meta has announced the launch of the Llama 3.1 Impact Grants, designed to support innovative open-source AI applications addressing global challenges. Following the success of previous grant programs, the Llama 3.1 Impact Grants will provide up to $2 million in funding to organizations worldwide.
The Llama 3.1 Impact Grants program invites proposals from organizations with ideas for using Llama 3.1 to tackle social challenges in their communities. Special consideration will be given to applications focusing on economic development, science and innovation, public service, and more. Selected recipients will receive up to $500,000, with winners to be announced early next year.
Kojo Boakye, Vice President, Public Policy, Africa, the Middle East, and Turkiye at Meta, commented, “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.”
To support prospective applicants, Meta will host a series of regional events, including virtual events, in-person hackathons, workshops, and training sessions across various countries. These events aim to provide technical guidance and mentorship, enabling impactful applications of Llama 3.1 in local contexts. Organizations participating in these events will be eligible for additional specialized awards of up to $100,000.
The inaugural Llama Impact Grants, announced in October 2023, received over 800 applications from more than 90 countries. The 20 finalists have submitted their final proposals, and the grant recipients will be announced in September, alongside the recipients of the Llama Impact Innovation Awards.
The application window for the Llama 3.1 Impact Grants is open from Monday, August 5, 2024, to Friday, November 22, 2024. Meta encourages eligible organizations to submit their proposals and take advantage of this opportunity to drive social impact through AI. All proposals will be evaluated using the selection criteria provided by Meta.
