Applications open for New Commons Challenge
The Open Data Policy Lab’s new commons challenge invites global changemakers to propose innovative data commons for generative AI that serves the public interest. By enhancing data diversity, quality, and provenance, we can unlock AI’s potential to innovate and solve complex challenges.
Objectives of the New Commons Challenge
- Reimagine ways to expand responsible access to diverse datasets, including new and existing data sources.
- Demonstrate how data commons can be deployed, managed, and maintained.
- Demonstrate real-world impact by creating tangible benefits for end users.
Priority Areas of the New Commons Challenge
- Strengthen Disaster Response: data commons that empower humanitarian actors to make informed decisions before, during, and after emergencies. By providing timely and accurate information, they 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.
What we seek in the New Commons Challenge
- Improve Localized Decision-making – Help local leaders make better policy or improve their reasoning capabilities through improved access to or insights from data
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Humanitarian Interventions – Strengthen disaster response capabilities using AI.
Prizes
The New Commons Challenge will select two winning proposals to receive the following support package:
- Two winners
- 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
Eligibility Criteria – New Commons Challenge
- 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.
Ineligibility Criteria
- 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.
Applications Requirements – New Commons Challenge
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The application process will occur over two phases.
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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.
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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.
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All applications must be submitted in English through indicated platforms. Concept note applications can be submitted to the form here.
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Informational webinars explaining the opportunity and application process will be held on May 1, 2025 and May 5, 2025. Register below.
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Specific application requirements and evaluation criteria can be found at the link here.
- For more information visit The Governance Lab.
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