Announcing the winners of the 2022 Foundational Integrity Research request for proposals
In September, Meta launched the Foundational Integrity Research request for proposals. Today, we announce the winners of this award.

In September of this year, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, announced the Foundational Integrity Research request for proposals. This initiative was designed to foster collaboration between academia, industry, and civil society to address critical challenges in digital integrity. The call for proposals sought innovative solutions to enhance the understanding and mitigation of issues such as misinformation, hate speech, and election interference.
Today, Meta is pleased to announce the winners of this prestigious award. The selection process involved a rigorous evaluation of submissions by an independent panel of experts in the fields of computer science, social sciences, and public policy. The panel considered the quality of research, the potential impact on real-world applications, and the feasibility of implementation.
The first recipient of the 2022 Foundational Integrity Research award is the University of California, Berkeley. The university's team, led by Professor Ananya Kumar, will focus on developing a machine learning framework to detect and mitigate the spread of misinformation on social media platforms. Their approach combines natural language processing and network analysis to identify patterns of disinformation and prioritize interventions.
The second winner is the London School of Economics (LSE), whose research group, headed by Dr. Priya Kumar, will investigate the psychological drivers of hate speech online. Their study aims to understand how individuals are influenced to engage in harmful content and develop interventions that promote positive online interactions. The LSE team will collaborate with Meta's data science teams to test their theories in real-world settings.
The third award goes to the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore. Under the leadership of Professor Raghavendra Rao, the IISc team will explore the role of algorithms in amplifying polarization on social media. Their research will focus on designing algorithms that promote constructive dialogue and reduce the echo chambers that currently dominate online discourse.
The final winner is the National University of Singapore (NUS), whose team, led by Professor Lim Soon Hwee, will develop a framework for evaluating the credibility of news sources. This initiative will help users make informed decisions about the reliability of information they encounter, thereby reducing the spread of unverified claims.
Meta's Foundational Integrity Research award is part of a broader commitment to addressing the complex challenges posed by digital platforms. By investing in academic research and fostering partnerships with leading institutions, Meta aims to create a more trustworthy and inclusive online environment. The winners of this year's award represent just the beginning of a collaborative effort to build a future where digital spaces are free from harm and misinformation.
The selected research projects will receive funding and access to Meta's data and infrastructure to accelerate their impact. Meta's Chief Research Officer, Dr. Sarah Thompson, expressed her excitement about the potential outcomes of these initiatives, stating, "We are thrilled to partner with these exceptional researchers and institutions. Their work will not only advance our understanding of digital integrity but also contribute to a safer and more connected world."
As the research progresses, Meta will provide regular updates on the findings and the implementation of these solutions on its platforms. The company is committed to being transparent about the challenges faced and the steps taken to address them. The announcement of the winners marks a significant milestone in Meta's ongoing mission to prioritize integrity and trust in the digital ecosystem.
In conclusion, the 2022 Foundational Integrity Research award winners represent a diverse range of approaches to tackling critical issues in digital spaces. From detecting misinformation to understanding hate speech, these projects highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing the complexities of the modern digital landscape. With Meta's support, these initiatives have the potential to reshape the future of online communities and foster a more resilient digital world.









