The German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) published new funding guidelines in connection with the Civic Innovation Platform (CIP) on 10 May 2023. The aim of the funding guidelines is to help you implement practical AI that benefits the common good, and thus create concrete solutions for the challenges associated with social coexistence and the world of work. With funding, we would like to encourage and support interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary work in AI projects which are dedicated to charitable causes and the common good and focus on labour and social policies, thus promoting human-centred use of AI and the distribution and perception of AI in society and its use for the common good.
As a result, you and your project partners can now submit an expression of interest in accordance with the CIP funding guidelines, ‘Civic innovation – funding AI projects for the common good’. A joint project can apply for up to €500,000 in federal funds. Gesellschaft für soziale Unternehmensberatung mbH (gsub) is the project organiser responsible for implementing the funding programme.
What and who receive funding?
All you need is feasible concepts for innovations which benefit the common good and use AI technology and which you plan to implement in a cross-sector and/or interdisciplinary project partnership. In addition to a clearly recognisable focus on the common good and the use of AI technology, the projects must also demonstrate an unambiguous reference to the BMAS areas of action, including topics like the labour market, health and safety at work, further training and work organisation.
How can I take part in the expression of interest procedure?
gsub must receive expressions of interest with a legally binding signature both electronically by email in the form of a scan and by post in the form of the signed original by 20 June 2023. Please observe the submission deadline! Only those expressions of interest which have been submitted on time will be considered.
The expression of interest form provided must be completed in full and lists further points that need to be observed. The expression of interest serves as a basis for the decision regarding the project’s eligibility for funding. Project groups which receive a positive assessment will be asked to submit an application.
The Policy Lab of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs