The European Disability Forum (EDF) is launching a sub-granting programme under the project funded by Google.org “Empowered by AI” to support EDF member organisations and their members who want to work on Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The aim is to empower Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and strengthen their capacity to understand, use, and engage with AI by developing AI-related activities at local, national and European level.
Through this programme, EDF will provide funding for self-directed initiatives that support the disability movement to engage with AI.
Scope of the grants
The grants offer funding for a specific set of activities aimed at supporting organisations. Activities can include:
- Awareness raising activities and campaigns
Example: Public campaigns, communication actions, and outreach on AI in a disability context
- Training activities
Example: Training sessions on AI, including the participation in “Get AI Ready – Train-the-Trainers” programme on AI. Following completion of the programme, the trained participant will organise a multiplier training for at least 10 people. Related costs may be covered under this grant (travel costs, venue hire, use of online platform, accessibility services such as interpreters, captioning, easy-to-read materials, translations).
- Education and awareness of AI
Example: Information sessions, educational materials on the benefits and risks of AI, tailored to persons with disabilities, research and studies.
- Implementation of AI-systems
Example: Testing or use of AI tools and systems within the organisation’s own work
- Conferences and events
Example: Workshops, conferences, and other events on AI for members and stakeholders
Size and duration of grants
EDF offers grants of up to €10,000 to support selected projects.
The duration of the grant is up to 8 months.
Activities should start in September 2026 and should be completed no later than the 30th of April 2027.
Reports should be sent to EDF no later than 30th of June 2027.
Note: Preparatory work for your project may begin before September 2026, but only activities and costs taking place between September 2026 and April 2027 will be considered eligible.
The MinnaLearn Get AI Ready Train‑the‑Trainer programme will begin once grant agreements are signed, ensuring all selected trainers can participate within the project timeline.
How to apply?
Download and complete:
Once completed, send these documents by email to EDF Senior Project Officer, Roberta Lulli at roberta.lulli@edf-feph.org.
Email subject line should be: “Grant Empowered by AI”.
Applications can be submitted until 5th July 2026, 23:59 Brussels time.
The results will be announced to grantees by 15th July 2026.
The application form and budget template are the only documents required for an application. However, we may ask you for additional documentation before issuing the grants.
Who can apply?
All EDF member organisations and their members are eligible to apply for a sub-grants.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- be EDF-member organisations or members of EDF member organisations
- be non-profit organisations
- nominate a person to follow and complete the “Get AI ready – Train-the-Trainers” programme on AI (all details in Annex 3).
- organise a “multiplier training” to 10 people at least (costs can be covered by the grant).
- use the grants to organise activities:
- that support engagement of persons with disabilities with AI or AI in a disability context
- between September 2026 and April 2027
- at local, national or European level
All activities and outcomes must be accessible for persons with disabilities.
If you have any questions concerning the application process, please contact Senior Project Officer, Roberta Lulli, at roberta.lulli@edf-feph.org.
Evaluation
Applications will be assessed by EDF’s AI Working Group, composed of experts with experience in AI and disability rights.
EDF will ensure that persons with disabilities working on and interested in AI have a leading role in the design, selection, and follow-up of the sub-granting programme, ensuring ownership by the disability movement.
Applicants will be required to:
- clearly explain why it is a priority for their organisation.
- demonstrate the meaningful involvement of persons with disabilities in implementing the activities.
- show how the activities strengthen capacity building, raise awareness, or support practical use of AI.
- ensure that accessibility is fully integrated across all activities, materials, and outputs.
- have at least one person from the organisation participate in “Get AI ready program Train-the-Trainers” developed by MinnaLearn, helping to build internal expertise and share knowledge within the wider network.
We will evaluate the proposals based on relevance to the objectives of the programme, involvement of persons with disabilities, feasibility of implementation, and expected impact at local, national or European level.
The award criteria for this call are as follows:
- Relevance: extent to which the proposal matches the priorities and objectives of the call; clearly defined needs and robust needs assessment; clearly defined target group (10 points)
- Quality: clarity and consistency of project; logical links between the identified problems, needs and solutions proposed (logical frame concept, organisation of work, timetable, allocation of resources); feasibility of the project within the proposed timeframe; financial feasibility (sufficient/appropriate budget for proper implementation; cost-effectiveness (10 points)
- Impact: ambition and expected long-term impact of results on target groups/general public; potential for a positive multiplier effect (10 points)
- Budget: the budget is clear, realistic and aligned with the proposed activities (10 points)
The following criteria will be taken under consideration:
| Award criteria | Minimum pass score | Maximum score |
| Relevance | 7 | 10 |
| Quality — Project design and implementation | 7 | 10 |
| Impact | 7 | 10 |
| Budget quality | 7 | 10 |
Overall (pass) score: 28 points
Maximum points: 40 points.
Proposals that pass the individual threshold for the criterion ‘Relevance’ and the overall threshold will be considered for funding, within the limits of the available call budget. Other proposals will be rejected.
Legal and financial set-up of the grant agreements
If you pass evaluation, your project will be invited for grant preparation, where you will be asked to prepare the Grant Agreement together with Roberta Lulli EDF Senior Project Officer.
This Grant Agreement will set the framework for your grant and its terms and conditions, in particular concerning deliverables, reporting, payments and funder’s acknowledgement.
The 50% of the grant will be paid immediately after the signature of the Grant Agreement, while the remaining 50% will be paid after the approval of the report.
Reporting
Deadline
Technical and financial reports should be submitted by 30th of June 2027.
Reporting templates
Reporting templates are 2 simple and separate documents, one for the technical report (Annex 5 and one for the financial report Annex 6). The reporting templates will be shared with selected grantees.
The financial report shall be supported by a list of receipts, with adequate translation in English, documenting the project expenses. The invoices or equivalent documents shall be part of this financial report.
If you wish to receive more information about the reporting documents, please contact Roberta Lulli (Roberta.Lulli@edf-feph.org).