The Institute for Humane Studies has opened a request for proposals on the long-term effects of artificial intelligence on employment, productivity, occupations and economic opportunity. The official call names a deadline of 15 December 2026 and awards of up to USD 20,000, with larger awards possible for exceptional projects.
Funding and purpose
Funding can support eligible research activities, including conference or archival travel, collaboration, research assistance, datasets, specialist research subscriptions, and publication or dissemination costs. The call explicitly excludes living expenses, hardware, retroactive expenses, travel without a scheduled conference presentation and institutional overhead.
Who is eligible?
This is a faculty-oriented academic research programme rather than an open grassroots NGO grant. Applicants should be academic scholars whose proposed research directly examines AI’s effects on labour markets and innovation over time. Cross-disciplinary proposals are welcomed. Researchers should read the official eligibility and FAQ pages to confirm their individual appointment and institutional eligibility before applying.
How to prepare an application
Develop a bounded research question, explain the study design, sources and analysis methods, specify outputs such as a peer-reviewed paper, white paper or shareable research database, and prepare an itemised budget that avoids excluded expenses. Show what the study can contribute to debates about work and opportunity without presenting speculative AI effects as established findings.
Practical considerations
Potential topics for qualified researchers include effects of AI on SME productivity, entry-level employment, occupations, remote work, training access or regional labour markets. An African-country study could be valuable where data access and methodology are strong, but the call does not explicitly guarantee eligibility based solely on African location. Applicants should verify institutional requirements with IHS.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding is available?
Up to USD 20,000, with larger awards possible for exceptional projects.
Is this general NGO project funding?
No. It is a research funding call for academic scholars.
Can funding pay institutional overhead?
No. Institutional overhead or indirect costs are excluded.
What research outputs are expected?
Examples include scholarly publications, policy white papers and research datasets.
When is the deadline?
15 December 2026.
Conclusion
Review the official rules and submit by 15 December 2026. The official programme page is the authoritative source for changes. Details reviewed 24 October 2026.
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