- Meta is calling for applications for its Llama Impact Grant.
- It is looking for noteworthy startups or researchers to award $20 000 in funding to.
- Applications close soon on 18th April 2025.
Meta has today announced the Llama Impact Grant for startups and researchers based in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The initiative is being run in partnership with Data Science Africa (DSA), and seeks to support innovative projects that leverage Llama, which is Meta’s open-source large language model (LLM).
The Llama Impact Grant for Startups and Researchers is part of Meta’s broader Llama Impact Grants program, which was launched by the big tech firm in October 2023.
“We are seeking proposals from organisations and individuals across Sub-Saharan Africa leveraging Meta’s open-source large language model, Llama for economically and socially impactful projects, focusing on areas such as health, science, and agriculture,” explained Meta in a release shared with Hypertext.
It added that the winning proposal will receive a grant of $20 000 (~R362 642) to help develop these proposals and bring them to market.
“Through this grant program, we’re hoping to support and scale AI-driven solutions across Africa that use our open source model Llama to address the continent’s unique social and economic challenges, empowering innovators to drive meaningful impact across the region,” highlighted Balkissa Ide Siddo, Public Policy director for Sub-Saharan Africa at Meta.
As for the criteria for proposals, Meta has advised the following:
- Clear description of an application with a compelling use case that makes use of Llama,
- Clear path to impact and large potential user base for the solution,
- Team composition and expertise,
- Ethical product development,
- Realistic budget and timeline.
The submission deadline for this initiative is 18th April 2025, with those wanting more information, as well as to apply, being asked to head to this link.
Llama looks to be a significant focus for Meta in 2025, with the company also set to host its first-ever conference for generative AI next month.
[Image – Provided]
