Chapter 4 – Grant System for All Tiers

Article 16 | Membership Grant System

(1)   Start-ups: AI-focused start-ups incorporated for less than 3 years, primarily operating in India, Asia (Indo-Pacific), or the Global South, and meeting at least one of the following criteria may be eligible for exemption:

(a)   Start-ups that are registered and actively filing tax returns will not be eligible for exemptions.

(b)   However, entities that are not yet fully operational or not engaged in filing tax returns may still be considered for exemptions if they demonstrate significant contributions to the objectives of the Alliance, such as innovation in AI or social impact.

(2)   Research Labs:

(a)   AI-focused research labs with an annual budget below ₹ 50L, affiliated with academic institutions or non-profit organisations, primarily conducting research in India, Asia (Indo-Pacific), or the Global South, and demonstrating significant research contributions in the field of AI through publications in internationally acclaimed journals, patent application approvals, or patents received in the given financial year may be eligible for exemption.

(b)   Research labs that have received recognition or awards from reputable AI organisations or conferences based on a comprehensive assessment of their research quality, impact, and innovation may also be considered for exemption. The recognition assessment will take into account factors such as:

o   Peer recognition and citations of the research lab’s work

o   Significance and novelty of the research contributions

o   Potential impact of the research on the field of AI and society

o   Collaboration with industry partners or other research institutions

o   Engagement in knowledge sharing and community building activities

(3)   Social Enterprises:

(a)   AI-focused social enterprises, registered as non-profit or charitable entities, primarily operating in India, Asia (Indo-Pacific), or the Global South, and demonstrating a significant and measurable impact through the development and deployment of AI technologies for social good may be eligible for exemption. The AI-focused deliverables of the social enterprise should address specific challenges in sectors such as:

o   Healthcare

o   Education

o   Agriculture

o   Financial Inclusion

o   Disaster Management

(b)   The social enterprises seeking exemptions should provide detailed documentation of their AI-focused projects, including the problem statement, target beneficiaries, AI technologies employed, and measurable impact metrics.

(2)   Exemption Criteria for Entities Based in Least Developed Countries (“LDCs”): Entities based in countries classified as Least Developed Countries (LDCs) by the United Nations Organizmay be eligible for exemption from membership fees, subject to the following criteria:

(a)    The entity must be registered and primarily operating in a country that is currently designated as an LDC by the United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP).

(b)   The entity must fall under one of the following categories: MSMEs, Start-ups, Research Labs, or Social Enterprises, as defined in the Alliance’s membership categories.

(c)   The entity must be engaged in AI-related activities, such as research, development, deployment, or advocacy, aligned with the Alliance’s objectives and principles.

(d)   The entity must demonstrate financial constraints or hardship that limit its ability to pay the applicable membership fees, as determined by the Alliance’s governing body on a case-by-case basis.

(e)   The entity must commit to fulfilling the special obligations for exempted entities, as outlined in the Alliance’s membership agreement, to actively contribute to the Alliance’s objectives and the development of the AI ecosystem in their respective countries and regions.

(3)   Entities seeking exemption from membership fees must provide the following documentation to support their eligibility:

(a)    Start-ups:

(i)       Patent filings, algorithm descriptions, or dataset documentation demonstrating the start-up’s intellectual property portfolio related to their AI innovations

(b)   Research Labs:

(i)       Affiliation certificates or registration documents confirming the research lab’s association with academic institutions or non-profit organisations

(ii)     Audited financial statements or budget reports demonstrating an annual budget below ₹ 50L

(iii)      Published research papers in internationally acclaimed journals, patent application approvals, or granted patents in the field of AI during the given financial year

(iv)      Award certificates or recognition letters from reputable AI organisations or conferences

(v)      Citation reports or bibliometric analysis demonstrating the impact and peer recognition of the research lab’s work

(vi)        Documentation of collaborative projects with industry partners or other research institutions

(vii)       Evidence of engagement in knowledge sharing and community building activities, such as organising workshops, conferences, or training programmes

(c)   Social Enterprises:

(i)       Registration certificates confirming the social enterprise’s status as a non-profit or charitable entity

(ii)        Impact assessment reports or case studies demonstrating the significant and measurable social impact achieved through the deployment of AI technologies

(iii)       Testimonials or endorsements from beneficiaries, community leaders, or domain experts validating the social enterprise’s work and impact