Who is Expedition Aya for?

Expedition Aya is for researchers, engineers, students, and open-source contributors who want to explore multilingual AI using Tiny Aya. You don’t need to be a senior researcher — curiosity, follow-through, and alignment with open research values matter most.

Do I need to already have a team to apply?

No. You can apply with an idea, join an existing idea, or form a team during Phase 1. Team formation is an explicit part of the program.

Can I apply as an individual?

Yes. Individuals can propose projects or join others during the ideation phase. However, Phase 1 is all about forming teams. We will only consider project scopes to progress to Phase 2 from teams of at least 3 people.

How much time does this take?

Estimated commitment:

• Phase 1 (2 weeks): ~3–6 hrs/week
• Phase 2 (10 days): More intensive; many teams treat this like a part-time sprint
• Phase 3 (1 month): ~2–4 hrs/week focused on writing

Exact schedules are flexible, and most collaboration happens asynchronously and teams will coordinate their own work.

Is this program global?

Yes. Teams and mentors are distributed globally.

Do I need prior experience with Tiny Aya?

No. Documentation, examples, and mentor guidance are provided.

What kinds of projects are eligible?

Eligible projects include:

• ML research using Tiny Aya
• Impact-focused projects using Tiny Aya