LINGUA Africa Open Call for Inclusive AI Language Projects

The LINGUA Africa Open Call invites African-led projects that expand inclusive language AI through locally grounded data creation, model and tool development, and sectoral applications.

Microsoft AI for Good Lab / Gates Foundation / Masakhane African Languages Hub lists this opportunity for African-led research and implementation teams, AI, Data & Digital, Africa. Applicants should use the official call page to confirm final requirements before submitting.

Eligible applicants include non-profits, universities, research institutes, social enterprises, cultural institutions, and community-rooted organisations working on African language AI.

Projects should demonstrate African leadership, meaningful community grounding, and a clear plan for responsible language technology work.

African language datasets, benchmarks, models, tools, and digital resources.

Applied language AI for priority sectors and use cases where language inclusion can improve access, participation, and impact.

Responsible ecosystem building around African languages, local expertise, and open or reusable resources.

The call offers a support package that may include cash grants, Azure and Google Cloud compute credits, technical support, and ecosystem support according to the selected project track.

Application deadline: Application deadline: Jun 15, 2026.

Confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, and submission route on the official call page.

Plan internal approvals, partner confirmations, budgets, letters, and portal submission before the final deadline.

Use the official Microsoft Research LINGUA Africa call page to review tracks, required materials, and submission instructions before the 15 June 2026 deadline.

Before submitting, check required documents, eligible costs, attachments, page limits, institutional approvals, and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration, or nomination stage.