The Mozilla Foundation has launched its Democracy x AI Cohort 2026, inviting technologists who are building AI-driven technologies that actively strengthen democracy to apply. This cohort supports working, functional prototypes that demonstrate how AI can enhance information integrity, government accountability, and civic participation.

AI today shapes public discourse and power structures at unprecedented speed. While often misused to erode trust and distort shared reality, Mozilla aims to shift the trajectory by investing in AI tools that protect, reinforce, and expand democratic practices.

About Mozilla Foundation’s Incubator

Mozilla’s Incubator supports early-stage, high-potential technologies that offer open, transparent, and community-oriented alternatives to mainstream digital systems. The program helps projects cross the “valley of death” between prototype and sustainability, providing both funding and a community of mentors, users, contributors, and funders.

The 2026 cohort will focus specifically on AI technologies that can deliver measurable democratic impact—in information quality, institutional transparency, civic participation, and protection of civic space.

Focus Areas for 2026: Democracy x AI

Mozilla invites applications from teams developing functional, user-tested technologies (not ideas or wireframes). AI must be central to the solution, enabling democratic impact at scale. Applications are welcome in three categories:

1. Enable Better Information

Strengthen the information ecosystem to support shared reality and reduce manipulation.

Examples:

• AI-supported information verification across languages and contexts
• Tools revealing algorithmic influence
• Privacy-protective identity verification
• Consensus-building and bridge-building platforms
• Systems diversifying information flows and amplifying credible sources

Success looks like: diverse voices heard; communities able to verify information; users understand and shape how algorithms affect them.

2. Build Institutional Transparency & Accountability

Promote visibility into how power operates.

Examples:

• Government tracking and transparency systems
• Machine-readable public data infrastructure
• Tools connecting government decisions to community impact
• Participatory decision-making platforms
• Deliberation and consensus-building tools

Success looks like: accessible government data, accountable officials, and communities influencing decision-making.

3. Protect & Expand Civic Space

Defend the digital public sphere and enable safe participation.

Examples:

• AI tools reducing harassment and coordinated abuse
• Secure, privacy-preserving organizing tools
• Technologies countering propaganda and polarization
• Surveillance resistance infrastructure
• Civic education access for marginalized groups

Success looks like: activists coordinate safely; communities resist authoritarian control; civic spaces remain open and participatory.

Funding & Support

Each selected project will receive:

• $50,000 in funding for 12 months
• Monthly cohort sessions
• Expert mentorship (AI ethics, business models, fundraising, etc.)
• Skills workshops
• Access to Mozilla’s global network
• 1:1 support with Mozilla staff
• Opportunities to showcase work at Mozilla Festival

Top-performing teams may be invited to a Tier II Sustain Track for $250,000 additional funding.

Eligibility

You should apply if you have:

• A functional, usable technology (beyond prototype)
• A committed team able to execute over 12 months
• A commitment to openness (open-source components or a plan to open-source during the grant period)
• Legal ability to receive funding from a U.S. 501(c)(3)

Applications must be submitted in English (translation tools are allowed).

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are evaluated on:

1. Technical viability
2. Problem and community clarity
3. Impact potential
4. Values and openness alignment
5. Sustainability potential
6. Fit with the Democracy x AI theme
   Mozilla will also ensure geographic and methodological diversity across selected projects.

Application Timeline

• Initial Proposal Opens: February 12, 2026
• Initial Proposal Deadline: March 16, 2026 (11:59pm PT)
• Finalists Notified: April 2, 2026
• Full Proposals Due: April 15, 2026
• Selections Announced: June 1, 2026
• Cohort Begins: June 2026 (12-month program)

Info Session: March 5, 2026 – 5pm CET / 11am ET / 8am PT
(Registration link provided in the original announcement.)

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through a multi-stage process beginning with an Initial Project Proposal. A shortlist of candidates will then be invited to submit a Full Proposal.

Apply here: Submit Your Application (via Mozilla Foundation)

For more information: Click Here