Applications for the Mozilla Responsible Computing Challenge are now open for Higher Institutions and Innovation hubs in Kenya. This program targets future technologies by providing and equipping them with frameworks to build reliable and responsible technologies.
The Challenge plans to award 10 grants from a pool of $250,000 USD to innovation hubs and accredited institutions of higher education in Kenya that integrate ethics into their computer science curricula and programs.
Grant Description
Through Mozilla’s Responsible Computer Science competition, USAID and Mozilla are supporting the conceptualization, testing, and scaling of curricula that integrate theoretical perspectives with computer science training. This approach teaches new waves of technology to take into account the human consequences of the design and use of technology, to reimagine technological ecosystems, and to build a better future. The hope is that the learning experience will give future technologists the historical and social context they need to better understand the impact of their work and equip them with a framework to build reliable technology.
Award Value
Mozilla’s Responsible Computer Science Challenge plans to award 10 grants from a pool of $250,000 USD to innovation centers and accredited higher education institutions in Kenya that embed ethics into computer science curricula and programs.
Sponsor Organizations
USAID and Mozilla.
Host Institutions
Innovation hubs and accredited institutions of higher education in Kenya.
Eligibility Criteria
The Mozilla Responsible Computer Science Challenge is open to accredited institutions of higher education and innovation hubs based in Kenya.
- Institutions of Higher Education: The Principal Investigator (PI) listed on the award application must be an individual who is eligible to receive grants within a computer science, information science / technology, data science, sociology, science and technology studies and allied department or program. The PI may work individually to execute the outlined concept if funded or with a collaborative, cross-disciplinary team with members both inside and outside of the institution of higher education. Such teams can include representatives from across departments, student researchers, industry partners and independent researchers.
- Innovation Hubs: The Responsible Computer Science Challenge also supports the development of educational materials or training workshops at innovation hubs that directly help students and builders incorporate social and political perspectives in the design of new technologies. Principal investigators from innovation hubs should be contracted staff members who are authorized to plan and execute events for the hub’s networks.
- Though cross-institutional teams are allowed (i.e. collaborations among multiple institutions of higher education and innovation hubs), if funded, award payments will only be made to the lead applicant organization with whom an award agreement will be signed.
Judging Criteria
The review criteria for the Mozilla Responsible Computer Science Challenge are as follows:
- Vision Alignment to RCS.
- Feasibility.
- Impact.
- Movement Building.
- Working Open.
Application Procedure
Please follow all the requisite instruction on the official application page to apply for the Mozilla Responsible Computer Science Challenge.