Mozilla Foundation Incubator 2027: Human-Scale AI cohort

The Mozilla Foundation Incubator is looking for seven projects for its Human-Scale AI cohort. Mozilla defines Human-Scale AI by three principles: small, intentional and tailored. The projects should address concerns people have about the largest AI systems, such as resource use, privacy and the concentration of power in a few large companies.

Selected projects receive $300,000 and 12 months of intensive support starting in April 2027. Projects that show strong progress can get up to $200,000 more and two more years of support, for a total of up to $500,000 over three years. Mozilla takes no equity.

Teams need working technology that is already used by the people it serves, and an early pilot counts. AI must be core to the project and built on small, fit for purpose models. Projects must be able to receive money from a U.S. 501(c)(3) charity and have a charitable purpose. Concepts without working technology, generic chatbot apps and projects built around a frontier model are not a fit. Applications must be in English.

Teams get coaching, one to one support from a Program Officer and a place at the Incubator Showcase at Mozilla Festival. They are expected to work in the open and leave something others can build on, such as open source components, documentation or datasets.

The first stage is an Initial Project Proposal, and only a small number of applicants are invited to send a full application. The deadline is Friday, November 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. All applicants hear back by February 2027.

Quick answers

Does the project need to be a nonprofit?

No. It must be able to receive funds from a U.S. 501(c)(3) and have a charitable purpose, and fiscal sponsors are allowed.

Which projects are not a fit?

Concepts without working technology, generic chatbot apps and projects whose core depends on a frontier model.