Mission statement

At the I-X Women in Artificial Intelligence (IX-WAI) network, we are dedicated to empowering women, non-binary people and other gender-discriminated groups* in the field of artificial intelligence. IX-WAI aims to create a supportive and inclusive network that champions career advancement, addresses challenges, and fosters connections across all career stages. Our mission is to enhance representation of women in AI and foster an environment where they feel valued, supported, and inspired to achieve their full potential. We intend to address these by:

  • Inviting speakers to spotlight women’s achievements and their career journey in the ‘Cutting-Edge Overviews & Tutorials’ and the ‘AI: Ethics and Diversity’ I-X seminar series;
  • Hosting workshops and round panels to offer platforms for discussion on issues related to improving the work culture;
  • Creating and showcasing an inclusive work culture that encourages other women to join the community;
  • Providing opportunities for mentorship, learning, and collaboration.

Our monthly meetings are open to all women of I-X, aimed at devising strategies for future initiatives and ensuring our actions align with our core belief: that every woman in AI deserves a supportive community. By increasing visibility and advocating for women’s voices in AI, we strive to correct the underrepresentation and build a future where diversity drives innovation. The IX-WAI network is a movement towards a more equitable, dynamic, and inclusive AI landscape within I-X, Imperial and the AI field.

* For readability, we will refer to all of these groups as “women” in the following text. 

IX-WAI Early Career Development Grant

The I-X Women in AI network (IX-WAI) provides Early Career Development grants (up to £300*) specifically for women and non-binary individuals engaged in AI or wanting to enter the field. These grants are intended to support conference attendance, training, and other professional development opportunities. This initiative is part of our commitment to providing additional support for women in AI.

* In exceptional circumstances the panel may award more than £300 but this would require additional robust justification.

The Call for the Second Round is now open. The deadline: 31 December 2024. Please see below for more information. 

For any inquiries regarding the grant, please contact g.vera-gonzalez18@imperial.ac.uk. Please note that questions already addressed on the website will not receive a response.

Applications Guideline

Eligibility

Open to women and non-binary individuals at Master’s, PhD or Postdoc level at Imperial, who are interested in learning AI or currently working in AI.

How to apply?

To apply for a grant, please complete this brief online form with the following information:

  • Requested amount (up to £300)
  • Purpose of the grant (one sentence)
  • Departmental account number (or your supervisor/mentor’s departmental account number for fund transfer if selected)
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Brief proposal (~400 words) outlining the purpose and impact of the grant.
Funding Rounds and Deadlines

We will issue three calls for applications each year, with deadlines at the end of April, August, December, and February. Approximately 10 mini grants will be awarded per year. The current call is now open until 31 December (11:59 pm, GMT).

Please note that the IX-WAI will review applications and make decisions once a term.

Post-Award Requirements

Recipients of the mini grants will be required to provide confirmation of attendance and a brief feedback paragraph about their experience. This feedback will be published on our website to inspire and inform others.

For Those New to AI - Resources

If you are new to AI and unsure how to use the grant, here are some recommended resources and courses you can consider:

Upcoming Event

The list of upcoming events organised and/or supported by IX-WAI:

  • POSTPONED [a new date tbc]: AI: Ethics & Diversity Seminar Series with Professor Julie Weeds 

Past Events

I-X WAI Committee

  • Eileen Boyce

    Personal details

    Eileen Boyce Manager of I-X Centre for AI in Science

  • Tracy Bussoli

    Personal details

    Tracy Bussoli Professional Development Consultant for AI in Science Fellows

  • Gema Vera-Gonzalez

    Personal details

    Gema Vera-Gonzalez Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellow & Co-Director

  • Alice Malivert

    Personal details

    Alice Malivert Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellow & Co-Director

Get in touch

For general enquiries, please contact:

Alternatively, email: