Artificial Intelligence and Antisemitism: Understanding and Disrupting Bias

A Partnership Between UCHI and the UConn Laboratory for the Study and Prevention of Global Antisemitism

The UConn Humanities Institute (UCHI), in partnership with the UConn Laboratory for the Study and Prevention of Global Antisemitism, invites applications for seed grants to support research at the intersection of artificial intelligence and bias. This initiative is designed to fund work that will directly support competitive applications for external funding in the areas of AI, bias mitigation, and the study of antisemitism and related forms of prejudice.

UCHI anticipates awarding two (2) seed grants of $5,000 each in this funding cycle.

Research Focus

This call seeks proposals that examine the complex relationships between artificial intelligence and bias, with particular attention to antisemitism. Projects should engage with one or more of the following areas:

How AI systems reproduce, amplify, or perpetuate bias: Research examining how algorithmic systems, training data, or AI-generated content may embed or reinforce antisemitic tropes, stereotypes, or other forms of prejudice.

Strategies for mitigating bias in AI systems: Work developing methods, frameworks, or technical approaches to identify and reduce bias in AI systems, particularly as it relates to representations of Jewish people, communities, and experiences.

AI as a tool for disrupting bias formation: Innovative approaches to deploying AI technologies to interrupt patterns of misinformation, challenge harmful narratives, or disrupt the cognitive habits and social dynamics that solidify prejudice in users and communities.

While antisemitism must be a primary focus of the proposed research, it need not be the sole focus. Projects that examine antisemitism in relation to other forms of bias, or that situate antisemitism within broader questions of prejudice, discrimination, and AI ethics are welcome.

Priority Criteria

Multi-disciplinarity: Priority is placed on projects that involve cross-department and/or cross-college (interdisciplinary) connections among UConn faculty. Competitive applicants will demonstrate clear plans for external funding and assemble teams that include both scientific/technical and humanistic approaches.

Significance: Does the proposed project make a significant contribution to understanding AI and bias? What problem does the proposed study solve? What gap in knowledge does it fill? How does it advance scholarship on antisemitism and related forms of prejudice?

Clarity and Feasibility: Are the goals of the project clear and feasible within the timeline proposed? Proposals should have a well-articulated plan of activities that include appropriate, clear objectives, detailed methodology, and concrete submission plans for external funding.

Timeline and Plan: Does the team have a timeline and plan for achieving their goals? Proposals must include a specific product (e.g., external grant proposal) and a timeline for its attainment.

Eligible Expenses

Requests might include, but are not limited to:

  • Personnel who are essential for conducting the research project, such as graduate research assistants and student labor.
  • Contributions towards course replacement costs, following the model of the Research Excellence Program. This must be approved by your department head.
  • Out-of-state travel that is necessary to conduct the research, or to bring research partners to UConn.
  • Equipment necessary for conducting the research ("equipment" is defined as an article of tangible, non-expendable property that costs $1,000 or more).
  • Project supplies
  • Other specifically authorized expenses essential for carrying out the project.

Ineligible Expenses

The following requests are not eligible for funding by this grant:

  • The salary of any Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator, or other faculty member who has an appointment at UConn Storrs, UConn Health, or any of the UConn campuses. This includes Connecticut Children's faculty with joint appointments.
  • Living expenses.
  • Laptops or desktop computers, unless used exclusively for the project and not for any other activities.
  • Service/maintenance contracts on equipment.
  • Laboratory renovations or other infrastructure renovations.
  • Institutional and/or individual memberships in professional organizations.
  • Travel to professional meetings to present the results of the research, or any conference attendance.
  • Indirect costs, including clerical and administrative personnel salaries.
  • Costs associated with the publication of results of the research, such as the purchase of reprints.
  • Investigator training costs, including tuition.

Eligibility Criteria & Requirements

Open to full-time, permanent UConn faculty in any discipline.

Applicants must be affiliated with UConn during the entire award period.

Grant Recipient Obligations

Seed funding recipients agree to:

  1. Submit a progress report (2-page maximum) on the research project six months after receiving the seed grant, including updates on any external grant applications submitted or planned.
  2. Present their work-in-progress at a public talk co-hosted by UCHI and UConn Global Affairs as part of the Laboratory for the Study and Prevention of Global Antisemitism’s programming within one year of receiving the seed grant.
  3. Either submit the external grant proposal through UCHI, or list UCHI as a Co-PI in the grant application (specific arrangements can be determined in consultation with UCHI leadership).

How to Apply

Send the following materials to uchi@uconn.edu with the subject line "AI and Antisemitism Seed Grant Application."

  • Narrative description of the research project (maximum 3 pages, double spaced, 12 pt. font)
  • Brief explanation of plans to apply for outside grants, including timeline and co-PIs/Senior Personnel (no more than one page)
  • Budget narrative (1 page maximum)
  • Bibliography for the project (1 page maximum)
  • Current CV/s

Spring Semester 2026 deadline:

April 3, 2026, at 11:59 pm.

Detailed awardee instructions/requirements will be distributed to seed funding winners when they are notified of the award decisions. All awardee requirements described above are subject to change in accordance with updated institutional procedures.