New Commons Incubator for Indigenous languages & cultures.
A six-month capacity-building program that supports Indigenous-led teams in developing a fundable data commons proposal
Why now?
Indigenous languages face many pressures in the age of AI:
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When left out, existing digital marginalization and inequities deepen.
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When included, data is often extracted without consent or benefit.
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And even well-intentioned efforts frequently strip away the cultural context that gives these languages meaning.
This represents both a technical and governance breakdown. What’s needed is a new institutional approach.
What is the program?
The Incubator is a 6-month capacity-building program that supports Indigenous-led teams in developing data commons, which are community governed data ecosystems that enable responsible, equitable use for public-interest purposes.
Through mentorship, training, and peer learning, the Incubator helps participants move from early-stage data commons ideas to clear, actionable, and fundable proposals.
Learn more about the Incubator programming by reading our Incubator FAQ.
What is a data commons?
Data commons are collaboratively governed data ecosystems designed to pool and provide responsible (and governed) access to diverse, high-quality datasets from one or multiple sectors to enable the development and deployment of generative AI applications that address public-interest challenges.
Learn more about our conception of data commons by reading our Data Commons FAQ.
Apply now.
Applications are now open for the New Commons Incubator on Indigenous Languages and Cultures. Submit your application by 14 August 2026 to participate in a structured program designed to support the development of viable and fundable data commons proposals.
Programmatic offerings.
Design governance models
Design data commons governance models grounded by Indigenous data sovereignty and the CARE Principles.
Establish shared benefits
Work with affected Indigenous groups to ensure there is the necessary social license to operate.
Global expertise and support
Access support and insights from practitioners around the world.
Community and funding pathways
Socialize your data commons concept with a cohort of Indigenous data leaders and relevant funders.
