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Top 20 Grants for AI Startups in South America in 2025

Top 20 Grants for AI Startups in South America in 2025

As artificial intelligence continues to revolutionize various sectors, South America is positioning itself as an emerging hub for innovative AI startups. In this context, numerous grants and funding opportunities are tailored to support these startups in their growth and development. Below is a curated list of the Top 20 Grants for AI Startups in South America for 2025, detailing their funding amounts, focus areas, eligibility criteria, application timelines, and source links.
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1. Google.org Accelerator for Generative AI

Funding Amount/Type: $500,000 to $2 million (and over), plus support and training.
Focus Area: Generative AI for social impact in areas like education, scientific advancement, and resilient communities.
Application Timeline: Applications for the second cohort are open from January 7 to February 10, 2025.
Eligibility: Nonprofits, civic entities, academic institutions, and social enterprises worldwide.
Learn more about Google.org Accelerator for Generative AI

2. GENIA Latinoamérica Inter-American AI Fund

Funding Amount/Type: $200 million fund
Focus Area: AI-based solutions addressing socio-economic challenges in Latin America, with a focus on inclusion and diversity in AI development.
Application Timeline: Likely ongoing, contact them directly.
Eligibility: AI startups across Latin America.
Discover GENIA Latinoamérica Inter-American AI Fund

3. IDB (Inter-American Development Bank) Innovation Grants

Funding Amount/Type: Varies depending on the program, but typically substantial.
Focus Area: Varies widely, but often focuses on innovation, technology, and social development.
Application Timeline: Check the IDB website for specific calls for proposals.
Eligibility: Startups, NGOs, and other organizations in Latin America.
Explore IDB Innovation Grants and Funds for NGOs
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4. Pulitzer Center Impact Seed Funding (AI focus)

Funding Amount/Type: Microgrants.
Focus Area: Research on AI and its impact on daily life.
Application Timeline: Deadline for 2024 was May 28th, 2024. Check for 2025 deadlines.
Eligibility: Researchers and academics in Latin America working with AI.
Learn more about Pulitzer Center Impact Seed Funding

5. Microsoft AI for Accessibility Program

Funding Amount/Type: Grants and resources
Focus Area: Projects leveraging AI to create solutions for people with disabilities.
Application Timeline: Check the Microsoft website for application windows.
Eligibility: Startups, non-profits, and researchers.
Explore Microsoft AI for Accessibility Program

6. NVIDIA Inception Program

Funding Amount/Type: Access to resources, technology, and networking, potentially including compute credits and hardware.
Focus Area: AI startups in various stages of development.
Application Timeline: Ongoing
Eligibility: AI startups globally.
Learn more about NVIDIA Inception Program

7. UNESCO Digital Innovation in Education

Funding Amount/Type: $50,000 (total project budget, can be used for implementing AI).
Focus Area: Leveraging AI to improve education systems in Latin America and the Caribbean, including teacher training.
Application Timeline: Ongoing project from 2024-2025
Eligibility: Collaboration with universities, members of the Global Education Coalition, and other partners
Discover UNESCO Digital Innovation in Education

8. Brazilian Government AI Investments (PBIA)

Funding Amount/Type: $4 billion (overall investment plan by 2028). Specific grant/funding details not yet defined.
Focus Area: Various AI programs, including research centers and general AI development.
Application Timeline: Look for updates on Brazil's Ministry of Science and Technology website for specific funding initiatives as details are released.
Eligibility: Various including startups and academic institutions.
Learn more about Brazilian AI Investments
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9. The Partnership for Global Inclusivity on AI (Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia)

Funding Amount/Type: Varies, includes infrastructure investments, training programs, and tech support.
Focus Area: Democratizing AI access and benefits in the Global South, including Latin America.
Application Timeline: No direct grant application, but look for partnerships and programs associated with Meta, Microsoft, and Nvidia.
Eligibility: Startups, non-profits, and organizations.
Discover The Partnership for Global Inclusivity on AI

10. Impact Seed Funding Latin America 2024 – AI

Funding Amount/Type: Micro-grants
Focus Area: AI and its impact on our daily lives.
Application Timeline: Check for 2025 deadlines.
Eligibility: Researchers and academics in Latin America.
Learn more about Impact Seed Funding Latin America

11. AWS Machine Learning Research Awards

Funding Amount/Type: Varies, research awards.
Focus Area: Machine learning research
Application Timeline: Check AWS website for specifics
Eligibility: Researchers in the field.
Explore AWS Machine Learning Research Awards

12. OpenAI Grants

Funding Amount/Type: Varies, grant funding.
Focus Area: AI research and development
Application Timeline: Check OpenAI Website for specifics.
Eligibility: AI research and development
Discover OpenAI Grants

13. National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program

Funding Amount/Type: Grants and contracts
Focus Area: Various tech sectors including AI
Application Timeline: Ongoing, varies by program.
Eligibility: US-based startups, with some potential for international collaboration.
Learn more about NSF SBIR Program
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14. European Commission's Horizon 2020 Program

Funding Amount/Type: Grants and funding
Focus Area: Research and innovation including AI
Application Timeline: Ongoing, varies by program
Eligibility: European Organizations, but also open to international partners
Explore Horizon 2020 Program

15. DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) AI Exploration Program

Funding Amount/Type: Grants and research funding.
Focus Area: Cutting-edge AI research
Application Timeline: Ongoing, varies by program.
Eligibility: US-based organizations
Discover DARPA AI Exploration Program

16. IBM AI XPRIZE

Funding Amount/Type: Prizes for solving specific AI challenges.
Focus Area: AI solutions for real world challenges.
Application Timeline: Check XPRIZE website for new competitions.
Eligibility: Open to global teams
Learn more about IBM AI XPRIZE

17. National Institutes of Health (NIH) SBIR

Funding Amount/Type: Grants and research funding.
Focus Area: Health-related research including AI applications.
Application Timeline: Ongoing, varies by program.
Eligibility: US-based organizations
Explore NIH SBIR

18. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) SBIR

Funding Amount/Type: Grants and research funding.
Focus Area: Space-related research including AI applications.
Application Timeline: Ongoing, varies by program.
Eligibility: US-based organizations
Learn more about NASA SBIR

19. Department of Defense (DoD) SBIR/STTR

Funding Amount/Type: Grants and research funding.
Focus Area: Defense-related research including AI applications.
Application Timeline: Ongoing, varies by program.
Eligibility: US-based organizations
Discover DoD SBIR/STTR

20. Local Venture Capital & Angel Investors

Funding Amount/Type: Varies - seed, angel, and Series A rounds common.
Focus Area: Startups in various sectors, with a growing interest in AI.
Application Timeline: Ongoing, based on individual investor interest and needs.
Eligibility: Startups with high growth potential.
Explore funding from local venture capital & angel investors and Top AI Series A Investors in LatAm
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FAQ

Q: What is the funding range for the Google.org Accelerator for Generative AI?
A: The funding range is between $500,000 to $2 million, including support and training. Learn more about Google.org Accelerator.
Q: What kind of projects does the Microsoft AI for Accessibility Program support?
A: The program supports projects that leverage AI to create solutions for people with disabilities. Check out Microsoft AI for Accessibility.
Q: What is the focus area of the GENIA Latinoamérica Inter-American AI Fund?
A: This fund focuses on AI-based solutions that address socio-economic challenges in Latin America, emphasizing inclusion and diversity in AI development. Discover GENIA Latinoamérica.
Q: How can startups apply for the IDB Innovation Grants?
A: Startups should check the IDB website for specific calls for proposals, as funding varies widely. Visit IDB Innovation Grants.
Q: What is the application timeline for the Pulitzer Center Impact Seed Funding?
A: The deadline for 2024 was May 28. It is advisable to check their website for 2025 deadlines. Learn more about Pulitzer Center Impact Seed Funding.
Q: What does the NVIDIA Inception Program offer to AI startups?
A: The program provides access to resources, technology, networking opportunities, and potentially compute credits and hardware. Explore NVIDIA Inception Program.
Q: How much funding does UNESCO provide through its Digital Innovation in Education initiative?
A: UNESCO provides a total project budget of $50,000, which can be utilized for implementing AI in education systems. Visit UNESCO Digital Innovation in Education.
Q: What types of organizations are eligible for the Brazilian Government AI Investments?
A: Eligibility varies, but it generally includes startups and academic institutions. Details on specific funding initiatives can be found on Brazil's Ministry of Science and Technology website. Learn more about Brazilian Government AI Investments.
Q: What kinds of funding does the AWS Machine Learning Research Awards provide?
A: The AWS Machine Learning Research Awards offer various research awards that support machine learning initiatives. Check AWS Machine Learning Research Awards.
Q: Who can apply for the OpenAI Grants?
A: Eligibility is generally for those involved in AI research and development. Specific details should be confirmed on the OpenAI website. Explore OpenAI Grants.

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
2025-06-01 07:48 Top 20