The Citi Foundation Global Innovation Challenge 2027 for nonprofit organisations (US$500,000 grant)

Application Deadline: October 6, 2026 Applications are now open for the 2026 Citi Foundation Global Innovation Challenge. The Global Innovation Challenge provides philanthropic support to community organizations that are developing innovative solutions to social and economic challenges facing low-income communities around the world. Citi Foundation is accepting applications from nonprofit organisations developing solutions to help low-income young people prepare for an economy increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Through the fourth edition of the Global Innovation Challenge, the Citi Foundation plans to provide up to US$25 million in restricted grants to 50 organisations, with each selected organisation receiving US$500,000. Programme Details The 2026 challenge, titled “Preparing Youth for AI,” will support organisations working on programmes that help low-income youth develop the skills, access and employment opportunities needed in an AI-driven economy. The Foundation is particularly interested in solutions that combine AI and digital skills with human-centred abilities such as critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, resilience and adaptability. The programme is aimed primarily at young people between 15 and 24 years old , although the grant is awarded to the nonprofit organisation running the programme rather than directly to individual beneficiaries. Eligible Projects The challenge focuses on three broad areas. AI and Human-Centred Skills Expanding Digital Access Strengthening Youth Employment Programmes Eligibility Requirements Applicants must: Be registered as a nonprofit entity under local law. Have a mission or strategic priorities focused on serving low-income individuals. Propose a programme that impacts at least one of the Citi Foundation’s target geographies. Be able to provide externally audited financial statements covering part of 2024 or a subsequent year if invited to the full application stage. Submit the application in English. Benefits Each selected organisation will receive a restricted US$500,000 grant . The grant period will run for 24 months , beginning no earlier than June 1, 2027. The funding is intended to support the piloting or expansion of programmes that prepare young people for employment in an AI-driven economy. Selected organisations will also be part of a learning community, with the Citi Foundation looking for opportunities to support grantees through volunteerism and shared learning. The US$500,000 grant is restricted to the programme and expenses described in the application. Potential eligible expenses include: Staff salaries Technology Programme materials Training Events Research Communications Marketing Monitoring and evaluation Convenings Overhead How to Apply The application process has two stages. Stage 1: Letter of Inquiry Eligible organisations must first submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) through the Citi Foundation’s grant portal. The Letter of Inquiry deadline is: October 6, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. New York Time (Eastern Time). Stage 2: Full Grant Application The Citi Foundation expects to notify organisations by the end of November 2026 about whether they have been invited to submit a full grant application. The full application deadline is expected in early December 2026 . Final funding decisions are expected to be communicated no later than May 2027 . For More Information: Visit the Official Webpage of the Citi Foundation Global Innovation Challenge