EthiopiAI programme: call for proposals
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-06)

Closed: The FCDO invited proposals by 17 October 2025 for AI automation and optimisation solutions in health, education, humanitarian, economic development, and climate action to be deployed through FCDO bilateral development programmes in Ethiopia.

This opportunity closed on 17 October 2025.

The EthiopiAI programme will identify, develop and deploy high potential responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) automation and optimisation solutions. These solutions will primarily be used in priority areas including health, education, humanitarian, economic development and climate action.

This will be delivered through specialist AI technical assistance to develop and implement AI solutions that will have a positive social impact and will be deployed through our bilateral programmes. It will be complemented with technical assistance to build skills, knowledge, and capacities of civil servants on AI to ensure there is sustained usage of the AI solutions once integrated into public sector systems.

The programme will also support improvements to the policy and regulatory environment for responsible AI in Ethiopia through consultations with policymakers.

Objective

The objective of the programme is to ensure that the public can safely benefit from access to transformative technologies that can improve their access to essential services and have wider impact on improving livelihoods, better economic outcomes, and adapting to climate change. It will also contribute to UK objectives to harness science, technology, investment approaches to deliver practical development interventions through AI solutions.

Requirements

This funding opportunity is only available to legally registered organisations and consortia of registered organisations, not individuals. Any bids from for-profit organisations will not be eligible for funding and will not be considered. Applicants are expected to have relevant expertise and capacity to work with key policy makers in Ethiopia.

How to apply

Full proposals and budgets must be submitted by 1pm Eastern Africa time on 17 October 2025.

Interested organisations should email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx):
- a cover letter
- CVs
- a technical proposal of no more than 10 pages (not including annexes) using Ariel font size 12
The technical proposal should include:
- an executive summary (1 to 2 pages)
- approach and methodology to the assignment: how the partner will develop, implement and deploy AI applications in the priority sectors proposed
- team skills and experience and proposed team composition
- capacity-building plan: what training tools the partner will deliver
- policy engagement strategy: approach to working with policy makers on AI policy and ethical frameworks and communication and uptake of findings
- partnerships: how they plan to collaborate with local institutions, government bodies and NGOs
- outputs and outcome indicators: a monitoring plan on how progress will be tracked and assessed, approach to testing AI solutions before deployment, method for evaluating impact, and how lessons will be learned and used
- risk assessment and mitigation plan (1 to 2 pages)
- grant budget (complete the template provided) should detail: detailed budget breakdown of staff costs, travel, technical development, training
Additional documents
- Call for proposals invitation form (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68b824b811b4ded2da19fd7d/Invitation_Form_Call_for_Proposals_v3.odt) (updated 6 October 2025)
- Frequently asked questions: EthiopiAI programme call for proposals (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68d50081275fc9339a248cab/EthiopiAI_Programme_Call_for_Proposals_FAQs.odt) (updated 6 October 2025)
- Accountable Grant Budget template (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68b821bd11b4ded2da19fd79/Accountable_Grant_Budget_Template.xlsx)
- Programme expenditure: eligible cost guidance (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68b821ee536d629f9c82aa18/Programme_Expenditure_Eligible_Cost_Guidance_for_August_2021.pdf)
- Business case: EthiopiAI programme (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68b822ded723ba6f74dba93a/EthiopiAI_Business_Case_version_0.1.odt)
- FCDO due diligence guidance for external partners (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68b822fe3f3e5483efdba92d/Due_Diligence_Guide_External_Partners.odt)
Contact

Bids and any clarification questions should be emailed to: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)