Deadline: September 19, 2025
Are you an academic researcher exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can drive inclusive development in emerging economies? The GEM Incubation Fund 2025 is now accepting applications for seed funding to support innovative, policy-relevant research projects.
This opportunity, hosted by Harvard’s Center for International Development (CID) in association with the Global Empowerment Meeting (GEM), aims to incubate promising research ideas that can create real-world impact in developing contexts.
About the GEM Incubation Fund 2025
The GEM Incubation Fund 2025 supports emerging research addressing key development challenges, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and its role in inclusive change. The programme seeks to fund early-stage projects that can develop into actionable tools, innovations, and policy insights.
The Fund is made possible through collaboration with partners including the World Bank South Asia Digital team and generous support from Christina Bai-Chen.
Thematic Focus
For the 2025 funding cycle, the Fund prioritises projects related to AI for Inclusive Change, exploring:
- Technical, governance, and ethical aspects of AI.
- AI use cases in agriculture, education, health, air quality, firms and productivity, and governance.
- Policy frameworks that ensure equitable deployment of AI.
While priority is given to proposals emerging from GEM’s “Incubation Rooms” discussions, innovative ideas beyond these are also welcome.
Geographic Focus
A portion of the funding is reserved for projects based in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. However, applications from other developing country contexts are encouraged if strongly aligned with the Fund’s objectives.
Funding Information
- Grant Size: Up to $20,000 (smaller, value-for-money budgets are encouraged and may be more competitive).
- Eligible Costs:
- Background research and literature review.
- Collaboration and partnership development.
- Field visits and travel for data collection.
- Data acquisition.
- Research assistant support.
- Not Eligible: Tuition fees, faculty salaries, or stipends. Indirect costs must not exceed 20% of the budget.
- Project Duration: 6 to 12 months.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the GEM Incubation Fund 2025, applicants must:
- Be university faculty with Principal Investigator (PI) rights.
- Submit proposals that are ready to start immediately.
- Demonstrate established buy-in from partners where relevant.
- Show strong policy or practitioner relevance, with preference given to collaborative projects between academics and practitioners in developing countries.
- Applicants who attended the Global Empowerment Meeting (GEM) will receive additional consideration.
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for the GEM Incubation Fund 2025 is 19 September 2025.
Why Apply?
The GEM Incubation Fund 2025 offers a unique opportunity for researchers to:
- Secure seed funding to advance innovative ideas.
- Collaborate with practitioners and institutions in developing countries.
- Influence global policy and practice around AI and development.
- Build pathways to scale research into larger projects and long-term impact.
How to Apply
Applications for the GEM Incubation Fund 2025 are now open. To begin your application, ensure your proposal is clear, feasible, and aligned with the Fund’s priorities.
👉 Click here to Apply
👉 Read more about the Programme
📌 Need help preparing your application?
Contact us for proposal drafting, refining and review to maximise your chances of success.
