We are eager to expand the AIAI Network by supporting:

1. New projects and other research collaborations at the intersection of AI and the humanities that are taking place in and around Atlanta;
2. New projects and collaborations about the intersection of AI and Atlanta; and
3. Professional development funds to enable new AIAI members (that’s you!) to support events of their own, such as reading groups, training workshops, speaker series, community events, etc. 

Application Details

• We will consider funding requests for up to $5,000. 
• In line with Mellon policy, institutions may not charge overhead to these grants. 
• The deadline for this application cycle is October 1st.
• Funds will be distributed no later than January 31st, 2025 and must be used by August 1st, 2025. 
• Should your proposal be funded, you will be required to present your work at a public event in Fall 2025.
• Faculty, staff (including library staff), graduate students, and members of Atlanta-based community organizations are all encouraged to apply. 

Requirements

• Project teams must include at least one humanities researcher. 
• Proposals must be situated in one or both of the following areas: AI and the humanities, and AI and Atlanta. 
• Project budgets must adhere to the spending guidelines outlined by the Mellon foundation.
• Please see the application form for all required application components. 

Selection Criteria

• Proposals must adhere to the requirements stated above. 
• Proposals will be evaluated in terms of quality and impact (including social impact). 
• For professional development funds, we will prioritize applicants from outside of the Steering Committee’s home institutions (Emory, Clark Atlanta, and Georgia Tech) and/or those who do not have other sources of funding available to them.

FAQ

What are the Mellon Foundation’s disallowed expenditure categories?

Per the Mellon foundation’s guidelines, funding many not be used for the following purposes:

• Overhead or indirect costs beyond the 10 percent of project-related administrative and occupancy costs cited above, under “Allowed Expenditures.” Please note that colleges and universities are expected to make their own venues available to grantees for events related to the supported project at no cost.  
• Capital and equipment costs, including computers, printers, etc. 
• Undergraduate tuition or scholarships, financial aid, or study abroad opportunities 
• Graduate student tuition 
• Real estate 
• Business class travel 
• Projects grounded primarily in the quantitative social sciences or STEM fields 
• Support for K-12 education 
• Support for lobbying activities or other efforts to influence local, state, or federal legislation 
• Influence over the outcome of any election for public office or to carry on any voter registration drive 
• Subscriptions Maintenance contracts for software, etc.