Mozilla Foundation Incubator Democracy x AI Cohort

• Eligibility Criteria: Open to global changemakers developing AI projects that strengthen democracy and have the right receive funds from Mozilla Foundation, a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
• Type of Funding: Grant
• Target Region: Global
• Application Language: English

The Mozilla Foundation is inviting proposals for the Incubator Democracy x AI Cohort 2026. The Incubator aims to invest in technologies that use AI to actively protect and promote democracy.

Objectives

• Strengthen democratic institutions, practices, and civic engagement through AI.
• Support projects that detect disinformation, enhance transparency, enable participatory governance, and protect digital rights.
• Facilitate the transition of AI innovations from prototypes to lasting, sustainable democratic impact.
• Connect innovators with a global community of changemakers, mentors, and resources.

Thematics 

Mozilla is specifically looking for projects leveraging AI as a core capability—not as an add-on. In this context, AI should be as essential to achieving democratic impact at scale, across communities, or in ways that weren’t previously possible:

• Diversifying information flows and sharing fact-based information.
• Using AI/LLMs for fact-checking or neutral content moderation.
• Identity verification to prevent bots and fake accounts.
• Facilitating consensus-building among polarized communities.
• Increasing transparency in government decision-making.
• Integrating public input into governance processes.
• Developing accountability mechanisms for public officials.
• Building platforms that enable collective action and civic participation.
• Protecting freedom of expression and association online.
• Empowering citizens to resist propaganda and polarization.
• Expanding access to civic education and resources.
• Defending the digital public sphere from authoritarian misuse.

Eligibility 

You should apply if you have:

• A working technology that people can actually use — not just an idea or wireframe.
• You’ve built something functional, even if it’s at a very early stage.
• A committed team who can execute over 12 months.
• A commitment to openness that will expand the impact of your work.
• At least some of your code is open source (e.g., you use an open core model, your codebase is closed but you publish open datasets, etc.) or you have a clear roadmap for open sourcing at least part of your codebase and will commit to doing so during the grant period.
• You’ll share learnings publicly, make datasets available where appropriate.

If you’re new to working open, Mozilla will provide you with the resources and experts to help navigate things like licensing and creating on-ramps for participation to outside contributors.

What the grant offers

Mozilla intends to fund10 projects at $50,000 each for 12 months of intensive support. In addition to project funding, Applicants will receive the following supports:

• Monthly cohort calls with peers facing similar challenges.
• Expert mentorship from advisors who’ve navigated the problems you’re facing—from AI accountability to sustainable business models to early-stage funding.
• Skills workshops tailored to what your cohort needs most (past topics: funding landscape navigation, impact measurement, pitch development).
• Network access to Mozilla’s global ecosystem of technologists, activists, and funders.
• Regular 1:1 check-ins with Mozilla staff to discuss milestones, obstacles, and support needs.
• Incubator participants are also invited to participate in Mozilla Festival, where teams are often given the opportunity to pitch to potential funders, collaborators, and users.

How to apply 

Applications are reviewed through a multi-stage process. The primary review occurs at the Initial Project Proposal stage, with only a small number of shortlisted applicants invited to submit a full application.

The Initial Project Proposal Deadline is March 16, 2026, 11:59pm PT.  Applicants should sumbit proposals using this application form. 

For more information, please visit this page. 

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