Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Research Scheme 2023/2024: Want money for your AI project in Nigeria? Apply for the NAIRS grant and you could get N5,000,000. It’s for people and small businesses working on AI.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quickly changing many fields and can lead to more jobs, economic growth, and benefits for society. Nigeria, with a young population of over 200 million people, a lot of tech talent, and several big start-up companies, is in a great place to use AI for better economic growth. Our strong tech skills, along with smart investments in AI, can lead to new ideas, better ways of doing things, and new jobs.
The Reason for the Grant
The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy in Nigeria believes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can significantly change various industries. AI is expected to create jobs, grow the economy, and contribute to society. Nigeria, with its large population and young people, is in a good position to use AI for economic growth.
The country has a lot of tech talent and successful startups. The Ministry thinks investing in AI research is key for Africa, especially in areas like agriculture, education, healthcare, and finance. This research will help make AI models that fit these sectors.
Investments in AI will also help connect academic research with real-world uses, test AI systems in real situations, and understand how AI affects things. The research will also help make policies about ethical AI use, data handling, privacy, safety, jobs, inclusion, and other AI-related issues.
The Ministry wants research to focus on specific areas:
- Improving farming using AI for better predictions and robotics to help small farmers.
- Making healthcare better with AI tools for diagnosis, personalized treatment, and smart hospital systems.
- Enhancing education and job training with AI platforms, personalized recommendations, and career advice.
- Increasing financial access with AI for credit checks, customer support chatbots, and fraud detection.
- Making government work more efficiently with AI for document processing, analyzing data, and better resource use.
- Better energy management with AI for smart grids, equipment maintenance, and energy use.
- Improving city planning and transportation with AI for transport systems, resource management, and data-driven planning.
What is the Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Research Scheme – NAIRS Grant?
The Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Research Scheme (NAIRS) is a program set up by the government to give money to people and new companies in Nigeria who are working on projects related to artificial intelligence (AI). Its aim is to help grow a strong AI community in the country by supporting research and making it easier for people to share ideas and work together in AI.
NAIRS is a competitive program, and applicants are evaluated on the quality of their research proposal, the potential impact of their project, and the strength of their team. The program is open to both Nigerian and international applicants.
NAIRS looking for research on AI that can create more jobs, grow the economy, improve services from the government, and make life better for people in Nigeria. Here are some topics for research:
- Helping farmers produce more food.
- Improving healthcare in hospitals and clinics.
- Enhancing education in schools.
- Making banking easier and safer.
- Increasing government efficiency.
- Saving energy and making its use more efficient.
- Improving city living and transportation.
The main goal of this program is to help researchers and new businesses speed up their work on AI projects. NAIRS want to create a strong AI community in Nigeria by giving money and encouraging people and groups in AI to work together and share ideas.
Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Research Scheme will give up to N5,000,000 to each of 45 AI researchers and new businesses.
To apply for the NAIRS (Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Research Scheme) N5,000,000 grant opportunity for Nigerians, please follow these steps and make sure to meet the eligibility criteria:
Eligibility Criteria:
- Form a consortium that includes a start-up or technology company, Nigerian academic researcher, or a foreign researcher.
- Develop a research proposal that aligns with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy’s AI priority areas.
- Prepare a detailed proposal outlining the project and its potential impact on the Nigerian economy.
- Demonstrate a track record of excellence in research or entrepreneurship.
- Commit to publishing at least one peer-reviewed article within one year of receiving the grant.
Application Process:
- The application period opens on October 13, 2023, and closes on November 15, 2023.
- All applications must be submitted through the designated online channel at https://airg.nitda.gov.ng.
- Submitted proposals will be evaluated by a panel of AI experts.
- Shortlisted applicants will receive notification via email and will be invited for an interview.
- Successful applicants will be notified via email.
Important Link: NITDA 3MTT New Grant for Young Nigerians
Selection Criteria:
The grant applications will be reviewed based on the following selection criteria:
- Novelty and originality of the research proposal.
- Applicant’s track record of excellence in research or entrepreneurship.
- Alignment of the research with the Ministry’s AI priority areas.
- Feasibility of the project.
Grant Rules
- Use of Funds: The grant money must be spent strictly on the project you proposed and within the budget you outlined. You can’t use the money for anything else.
- Agreement with the Ministry: All grant recipients must sign an agreement with the Ministry that outlines how the grant money will be used.
- Reporting Requirements: If you receive the grant, you need to regularly update the Ministry on your project’s progress. This includes participating in events organized by the Ministry where people share their learning and experiences.
- Acknowledgment: Whenever you talk or write about your project in public, you must acknowledge that you received support from the Ministry.
- Consequences of Non-Compliance: If your project fails to meet its objectives or deviates from what you proposed, the Ministry has the right to take back the grant money
Disbursement of Funds
Successful grant recipients will be notified by December 15, 2023.
Reporting Rules
If you get the grant, you need to send a progress report to the Ministry every three months. At the end of your project, you have to send a final report.
What Hope to Achieve
With this grant, NAIRS want to:
- Make sure half or more of the research papers are published in well-known journals.
- Help use AI research in important areas like farming, schools, health, money, and more in Nigeria.
- Help AI businesses in Nigeria to grow.
- Get Nigeria to be a top player in the world of AI.