CloudWalk will sponsor up to three research projects in artificial intelligence that, in the view of the selection committee, align with one of the following research areas: Art, Cognition and Consciousness, and Payment Games.
1. Application Process
To apply, applicants must submit their project by January 31, 2025. There is no pre-defined format for the proposal, as long as each reviewer can assess it within seven minutes. If written/spoken in natural language, proposals must be submitted in English or Portuguese.
2. Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Live in Brazil;
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have demonstrable experience or academic background in their field of research;
- Be eligible to receive payments in Brazil, either as an individual or through a legal entity;
- Have proficiency in Portuguese or English for documentation and communication purposes.
Both individual and team applications will be considered. For team applications:
- A primary researcher must be designated as the main point of contact;
- The R$10,000 monthly stipend remains the same regardless of team size;
- All team members must be listed in the application with their respective roles;
- Teams are limited to a maximum of three members.
Applicants may submit up to two distinct proposals, but only one project per applicant/team can be selected for sponsorship. Selection decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
CloudWalk's employees are not eligible for the program. In case they have a brainfu*k idea they would to work on, they are strongly encouraged to reach out to the AI and R&D Director to discuss.
3. Residency Schedule
- Results Announcement: by February 28, 2025
Selected applicants will be notified of their acceptance into the residency program by this date. The results may be made public by CloudWalk. - Residency Start Date: March 15, 2025
Selected researchers will officially begin their residency with CloudWalk, gaining access to resources and starting bi-weekly progress meetings. - Residency End Date and Article Submission: June 15, 2025
The residency will conclude, and each researcher must submit a final report detailing their research and findings by this date. - Public Presentation of Research: Throughout June and July 2025
Researchers will publicly present their research at a CloudWalk-hosted event, with the exact date to be determined by CloudWalk. Presentations will be open to CloudWalk employees, directors, and invited external guests, including members of the specialized press.
Note: If fewer than three projects are selected from this public call, CloudWalk reserves the right to issue a new call for applications to fill the remaining slots.
4. Research Location
The residency is designed to offer flexibility, allowing researchers to work remotely or at CloudWalk’s headquarters. Selected participants may conduct their research from any location, with regular bi-weekly meetings held virtually to discuss progress and provide support.
For those interested in an on-site experience, CloudWalk Headquarters in São Paulo will be open to researchers. On-site access provides direct interaction with CloudWalk’s AI and technology teams, as well as access to collaborative spaces equipped with high-performance computing resources, if needed. Participants choosing this option may also attend optional in-person workshops and events hosted by CloudWalk.
Please note: CloudWalk will only provide the monthly scholarship payment of R$10,000. No additional costs, such as accommodation, travel, or other expenses, will be covered, except for the final event. For the final public presentation event, CloudWalk may require participants to attend either in person or online, at CloudWalk’s discretion. Reasonable travel and accommodation expenses will be covered for participants required to attend in person.
CloudWalk will make additional resources available remotely, ensuring all participants, regardless of location, have access to the tools, software, and models required to advance their projects.
5. Selection Committee
The selection committee will be composed of CloudWalk employees, directors, and external guests, at CloudWalk’s sole discretion. The committee’s composition may or may not be made public, also at CloudWalk’s discretion. The evaluation of each project, the criteria used, and the reasoning behind the decision to sponsor or not sponsor a project will not be disclosed.
6. Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure
Applicants should refrain from including any confidential information or information they would not want widely disclosed in their proposals. CloudWalk will treat proposals as non-confidential and assumes no responsibility for protecting proprietary information submitted. Any information, technology, or resources provided by CloudWalk during the residency should be considered confidential and may not be disclosed or used for purposes outside the scope of the residency.
7. Intellectual Property (IP)
All research results, insights, and findings generated during the residency are jointly owned by CloudWalk and the researcher. Both parties retain full rights to use, publish, and develop the results independently and without prior authorization from the other party. Any IP developed in connection with the residency must be free from third-party restrictions and be available for CloudWalk and the researcher to use independently.
8. Selection and “Brain-Fuck” Criteria
CloudWalk reserves the right to select fewer than three projects for sponsorship. Only projects (if any) that the committee determines meet the subjective “brain-fuck” category will be selected. Examples of projects fitting this category might include those that push the boundaries of creativity, question fundamental assumptions, or present radically innovative applications of AI. No justification will be provided for the decision to select or not select projects for the residency.
9. Residency Stipend, Resources and Insurance
Selected researchers will receive a monthly stipend, for three months, of a gross amount of R$10,000.00. Payment may be made via invoice (Brazilian PJ) or as an autonomous payment (RPA), with the researcher responsible for any applicable taxes.
All payments will be made in Brazilian Reais (R$). International wire transfers will be subject to prevailing exchange rates.Participants are responsible for all applicable taxes in their jurisdiction and for costs regarding international wire transfers. Payments can be made either to individuals or legal entities, subject to proper documentation.
Upon justification and a list presented in the project proposal, CloudWalk may provide additional resources for project execution, including hardware, software, and access to professional versions of AI models.
Participants must maintain their own health insurance coverage throughout the residency For on-site work, participants must sign a liability waiver. CloudWalk maintains general liability insurance for on-site activities but does not cover personal accidents or health issues.
10. Project Progress and Reporting
Researchers agree to attend bi-weekly meetings with the monitoring committee, where they must present the progress of their research. Each meeting will include a review of progress, any encountered challenges, and next steps. These checkpoints aim to ensure alignment and support for the project’s goals.
If, by the end of the second month, the monitoring committee determines, at its sole discretion, that the research has not progressed or does not have the potential to yield significant results, the residency may be terminated, and the stipend for the third month will not be owed, without any compensation.
11. Code of Conduct and termination decisions
Researchers are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully at all times. Discrimination, harassment, or inappropriate behavior of any kind will not be tolerated and may result in immediate termination of the residency without compensation.
During the residency, participants may appeal termination decisions (for violation of the Code of Conduct or pursuant to section 10 above) within 5 business days. Appeals must be submitted in writing to brainfckresidency@cloudwalk.io. Appeals will be reviewed by a separate committee appointed by CloudWalk/ Appeal decisions will be provided within 5 business days and are final.
12. Final Deliverables and Presentation
Researchers who reach the third month commit to:
- Public Presentation: Present their research and its outcomes at a public event, with the presence of CloudWalk directors, employees, and external guests (including specialized press). Each researcher’s presentation will last a minimum of 30 minutes and a maximum of 1 hour.
- Written Report: Write a report of at least five pages describing the research conducted and the results obtained. The report may be published freely by CloudWalk and/or the researcher without authorization from the other party.
13. Continuation of Research and Results Use
CloudWalk and the researchers are free to continue the research independently and use the results for any purpose, without requiring authorization from the other party.
14. Early Termination for Cause
In addition to the progress-related termination clause, CloudWalk reserves the right to terminate the residency early if the researcher is found to have violated the code of conduct, misused resources, or otherwise breached the terms of this agreement. In such cases, no further stipend payments will be owed.
15. Questions, Agreement, and Dispute Resolution
During the application process, candidates may write to brainfckresidency@cloudwalk.io to clarify any doubts regarding this public call. All decisions made by CloudWalk are final and binding. By submitting a proposal, the candidate fully agrees to these terms and conditions.
In the event of any disputes arising from or related to the residency, such matters will be submitted to the courts of São Paulo (SP) as the exclusive venue for resolution.
