New Commons Challenge 2025 for Global Changemakers ($100,000 in Funding) | Apply Now

Welcome and thank you for your interest in the New Commons Challenge, an initiative by the Open Data Policy Lab (a collaboration between Microsoft and The GovLab), supported by its partners CrisisReady/DirectRelief and the Harvard Institutional Data Initiative as well as its observer UNESCO.

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, focusing on the priority areas below:

• 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.

Objectives

• 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. All work conducted must be in the public benefit.

This form is divided into three sections. Part 1: Eligibility & Entrant Details (this section will not be assessed); Part 2: Your Concept Note Entry; and Part 3: Declaration.

We encourage you to read all the information on our website at newcommons.ai, where you can find the rules stipulating eligibility, judging criteria, and the overall structure of the challenge before completing your application.

This form will save your responses as you complete it. You may submit your response at any time before 11:59:59 PM on June 2, 2025. You may not submit an application after this date. You will not be able to edit your application once it has been submitted. Duplicate submissions will be deleted.

Please email newcommons@opendatapolicylab.org if you have any questions or did not receive a confirmation email upon submission. If, for whatever reason, you are unable to submit this form, you can email us at newcommons@opendatapolicylab.org with your submission in a Word doc format. A template for that can be found here.