An annual IBM social-innovation accelerator selecting around five nonprofits or academic organizations for pro bono AI and automation support.
- Location:
- Remote
- Duration:
- 104 weeks
What you need to qualify
- Open to nonprofit and government organizations globally
- Eligible applicants are nonprofits, government entities and government-owned enterprises, and nonprofit public or private colleges and universities
- Must be able to engage with IBM for a two-year period
- Must be able to conduct project work in English
- Selected organizations must enter into an IBM grant agreement governing access to IBM technology, services and resources
Eligibility
- Eligible stages
- All stages
- Countries
- Global, subject to the provider’s eligibility and approval
How to apply
- 1
Wait for the public request for proposals
IBM does not take applications continuously. Each cohort opens with a public RFP that names the social innovation issue area it covers, and the RFP is open to any nonprofit, academic or government organization.
- 2
Create an account on the IBM Proposal Submission Portal
Proposals are submitted through IBM's grants portal at ibmimpact.versaic.com, which requires an account before a proposal can be started.
- 3
Submit a proposal describing the project and its expected impact
The proposal sets out the AI-driven project, the communities it serves and the impact expected. IBM evaluates proposals on the level of support to communities, the feasibility and sustainability of the proposed technology solution, and the applicant's transparency in measurement and reporting, with input from IBM Consulting, IBM Research, IBM Software, the Chief Sustainability Office and IBM Corporate Social Responsibility, then vets them through standard IBM compliance processes.
- 4
Sign an IBM grant agreement if selected
IBM selects five organizations per cohort. Selected organizations enter into an IBM grant agreement governing access to IBM technology, services and resources, then work with IBM over a two-year engagement.