In short
The Spencer Foundation's Policy on the Use of Generative AI allows applicants to use generative AI as an assistive tool, but they must disclose it through a checkbox in the online submission system. Applicants may not submit verbatim AI-generated drafts. Reviewers are strictly prohibited from using generative AI.
Requires disclosure. Applicants may use AI and must say where they used it.
For applicants
- Applicants may use generative AI as a resource for letters of intent, pre-proposals, full proposals, and progress reports. It must be an assistive tool, not a substitute author, and applicants may not submit verbatim AI-generated drafts. [1]
- Applicants must disclose generative AI use, meaning any program that produces text, visuals, audio, or video from a prompt or outline. They check an AI disclosure checkbox in the online submission system. If they used generative AI, they must also give a brief summary of how and where it was used. [1]
- Disclosure is not required for assistive AI used only to improve grammar, spelling, and punctuation. The policy warns that many spell-checking and word-processing tools now include generative AI features. [1]
- Applicants stay accountable for the accuracy and originality of all content, including unintentional plagiarism or false information. AI tools cannot be listed as authors. Spencer may reject proposals that show substantial evidence of generative AI use, especially without disclosure. [1]
- Disclosure alone is not penalized in review, unless the AI content is used inappropriately, is inaccurate, or otherwise harms the proposal. Disclosures are also used for data tracking. [1]
- Applicants should anonymize or deidentify any information uploaded to generative AI systems wherever possible. [1]
- For the Small Research Grants and Vision Grants programs, applicants must acknowledge in the application that they have read, understood, and agree to comply with the AI guidelines. [2][3]
For reviewers
- Reviewers are strictly prohibited from using generative AI to summarize, analyze, or otherwise assist in evaluating proposals or constructing feedback to applicants. [1]
- Uploading or pasting an unpublished proposal into an open-source AI tool compromises the applicant's intellectual property and may expose personal data. Reviewers found using generative AI may be barred from reviewing and, in some cases, from applying for a Spencer grant. [1]
Sources
Policy on the Use of Generative AI at the Spencer Foundation (opens in a new tab)
It is the policy of the Spencer Foundation to allow the use of generative AI by applicants, grantees, staff, contractors, and collaborators in pursuit of efficiencies, productivity, and innovation when it can be done so in accordance with the following guidelines, permitted uses, and restrictions detailed below.
It is also the policy of the Spencer Foundation to strictly prohibit the use of generative AI by reviewers when assessing proposals and constructing feedback to applicants.
Applicants and grantees may not submit verbatim drafts of content generated by AI, rather generative AI may be used as an assistive tool rather than as a substitute author for applicants and grantees.
Disclosure of assistive AI is not required.
Applicants and grantees must disclose the use of generative AI.
Applicants and grantees who indicate that they have used generative AI to produce any part of their letters of intent, pre-proposals, proposals, or progress reports are required to provide a brief summary of how and where generative artificial intelligence was used within the documents they have submitted.
To reiterate, generative AI tools cannot be listed as an author.
The Spencer Foundation reserves the right to reject proposals that display substantial evidence of the use of generative AI, particularly in the cases where there has been no disclosure during the submission process.
Applicants and grantees who disclose the use of generative AI will not be penalized in the review process for doing so, unless the content generated is used inappropriately, produces inaccuracies, or otherwise negatively impacts the proposal.
Any information that is uploaded to generative AI systems should be anonymized or deidentified wherever possible to protect individual and community privacy.
As a result, reviewers are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence to summarize, analyze, or otherwise assist in evaluating proposals.
Reviewers found using generative artificial intelligence in their review process may be barred from reviewing.
Research Grants on Education: Small (opens in a new tab)
While submitting your application to the Small Grants program to the Spencer Foundation online portal, you will be asked to acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to comply with these guidelines.
Vision Grants (opens in a new tab)
While submitting your application to the Vision Grants program in SmartSimple, you will be asked to acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to comply with these guidelines.
See Spencer Foundation's 9 open programs
This page summarizes what the funder has published and is not legal advice. Policies change, and one solicitation can add its own rules. Confirm against the funding announcement before you apply.