The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation (LDF) aims to create a world where both nature and humanity coexist in harmony. Moreover, LDF has achieved this success through active collaboration with a broad network of effective organizations to find and support the best, results-driven projects in the world’s most wild and threatened ecosystems. Likewise, Microsoft’s AI for Earth program supports organizations who are working to solve global environmental challenges using artificial intelligence. To further their missions, Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation and Microsoft are collaborating on the AI for Earth Innovation Grant. The grant supports applicants in creating and deploying open-source machine learning models, algorithms, and data sets that directly tackle environmental problems faced by the world today.

The latest IPCC Special Report outlines the level and urgency of broad action required to prevent global temperatures from exceeding 1.5 degrees. Hence, LDF calls for proposals that can deliver impactful solutions to immediate matters in the following four categories:

• Climate change
• Biodiversity conservation
• Agriculture
• Water

Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation Grants

Proposal requests can be up to $100,000, for the support over one year only. In addition to financial support, Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation will provide successful proposal free access to AI for Earth API’s, applications, tools, and tutorials, and support for their computational work on Microsoft Azure. Applicants must demonstrate a plan for the continued support of the work beyond the grant period.

Projects Eligible for the AI for Earth Innovation Grant

Biodiversity conservation: Species are going extinct at alarming rates, and our planet’s oceans and last wild places need protection. Candidates must demonstrate how AI can help, particularly in the following areas:

• Protected area identification, management, and restoration
• Sustainable supply chain management
• Illegal trade and poaching control Wildlife tracking as well as ecosystem health monitoring
• Realizing natural capital (including valuing natural capital, species identification)

Climate change: Extreme weather events, rising sea levels, higher global temperatures, and increased ocean acidity threaten human health, infrastructure, and the natural systems we rely on for life itself. Candidates must demonstrate how AI can help, particularly in the following areas

• Climate resilience
• Extreme weather as well as climate modeling
• Measuring carbon sequestration through natural climate solutions
• Pollution monitoring and reporting on air quality
• More efficient energy and transportation systems

Agriculture: To feed the world’s rapidly growing population, farmers must produce more food on less arable land, and with lower environmental impact. Candidates must demonstrate how AI can help, particularly in the following areas:

• Sustainable land-use planning and management
• Natural resource conservation
• Sustainable, closed-loop food systems
• Climate-resilient, regenerative agriculture
• Food recovery

Water: In the next two decades, demand for freshwater—for human consumption, agriculture, and hygiene, as well as for the well-being of natural systems and species—is predicted to dramatically outpace supply. candidates must demonstrate how AI can help, particularly in the following areas

• Beneficial water supply strategies for human and natural systems
• Water quality and sanitation
• Water source monitoring
• Use efficiency of Water
• Extreme-event (droughts, floods, disasters, etc.) water management

How to apply at Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation for the AI for Earth Innovation Grant?

Applicants must be nonprofit organizations or academic institutions. Further, the main applicant must demonstrate a background in environmental science and/or technology. Also, at least one member of the team should have strong enough technical skills (such as machine learning, statistical data analysis, scientific modeling, software development, and/or remote sensing) to complete the proposed project successfully.

Candidates will require to register to complete the application process at LDF Website. Further, candidates must submit their project via the Microsoft site.

Deadline

The application period for the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation AI for Earth Innovation Grant will close on July 31, 2019, at 11:59 pm PST. Only applications received during this period will be accepted.