Jerome Foundation AI policy
Limits AIChecked November 9, 2026
In short
The Jerome Foundation says AI may help with tasks like proofreading, translation, or summarizing, but the substance, ideas, and concepts in an application must be the applicant's own. Applicants who submit AI-generated or AI-augmented work samples without disclosure will be deemed ineligible. Panelists are told not to enter applications into AI tools, and staff will not enter application content into AI tools except to transcribe video responses for accessibility.
For applicants
- AI tools may help with tasks like proofreading, translation, or summarizing, but the substance, perspective, ideas, and concepts in the application must be the applicant's own.[1]
- Incidental use of AI-powered tools in standard post-production or editing workflows, such as audio mastering, image denoising, or grammar checking, is not what the foundation's work-sample restriction targets.[1]
- Applicants who submit AI-generated or AI-augmented work samples in any category without disclosure will be deemed ineligible, at any stage of review or after grants are made.[1]
For reviewers
- Panelists are instructed not to enter any part of an application into AI tools. Reading, evaluation, and discussion are done by people.[1]
- Foundation staff will not enter applicants' personal information, application narratives, or work samples into any AI tool, except to provide audio transcription of video responses to narrative questions.[1]
Sources
- [1]Guidance on AI Use
Jerome Foundation
“AI tools may help with tasks like proofreading, translation, or summarizing, but the substance, perspective, ideas, and concepts in your application must be your own.”
“Incidental use of AI-powered tools in standard post-production or editing workflows, such as audio mastering, image denoising, or grammar checking, is not what this restriction targets.”
“Applicants who submit AI-generated or AI-augmented work samples in any category without disclosure will be deemed ineligible at any stage of the review process, or after grants have been made.”
“Panelists are likewise instructed not to enter any part of your application into AI tools. The reading, evaluation, and discussion of your work is done by people.”
“Foundation staff will not enter into any AI tool your personal information, application narrative, and work samples. The one exception to this rule is when there is the need to provide audio transcription of applicants’ video responses to narrative questions.”
This page summarizes published guidance and is not legal advice. Policies change, and a specific solicitation can add its own rules, so confirm against the funding announcement before you apply. See every funder's AI policy.