The Citi Foundation's Global Innovation Challenge: Preparing Youth for AIÂ is supporting nonprofit organisations developing innovative solutions that prepare low-income young people for employment in an increasingly AI-driven economy.
The fourth Global Innovation Challenge will commit $25 million to organisations piloting or expanding programmes that strengthen young people's AI, digital and human-centric skills, improve access to digital resources, and help youth connect to employment opportunities.
The Challenge primarily targets young people and focuses on solutions with potential for meaningful and scalable impact.
Funding
Up to 50 nonprofit organisations will receive restricted grants of US$500,000 each, with awards expected to be disbursed in two equal payments of US$250,000 in 2027 and 2028.
Grants will support projects over 24 months, beginning no earlier than 1 June 2027. In addition to funding, selected organisations will have opportunities to participate in a learning community and access volunteer support from the Citi network.
Categories
The Challenge supports innovative solutions across three broad areas:
AI and human-centric skills:Â Training in AI fundamentals, ethical AI, prompt engineering, digital content creation and AI-enabled tools, alongside problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity and other human-centric skills.
Digital access:Â Improving access to shared devices, open-source AI, low-connectivity and offline digital tools, connectivity, and other resources that support AI and digital literacy.
NGO capacity and networks:Â Strengthening existing youth employability programmes through AI-enabled tools, training and resources, while building partnerships across education, nonprofit, technology and business sectors.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
Be a registered nonprofit organisation under local law;
Demonstrate that their mission and/or strategic priorities specifically focus on serving low-income individuals;
Propose a programme that impacts at least one of the Citi Foundation's eligible 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;
Not require fiscal sponsorship.
The opportunity is open to eligible organisations working in selected countries and regions where Citi has a presence, in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America.
Eligible organisations must first submit a Letter of Inquiry through the Citi Foundation's grant portal.
All LOIs must be submitted in English.
Application information
Deadline: 6 October 2026
For more information and to apply, click here.
Download and read the FAQ before submitting your application.
Your funding experts
InterArts Funding offers its expertise to assist you in applying for grant opportunities (including this one), leveraging our extensive experience to enhance your chances of securing the grant. It is important to clarify that InterArts Funding is an independent entity and is not affiliated with any specific funding organisation. While we have a commendable track record of success, we cannot guarantee the approval of your application. Grant outcomes depend on various factors beyond our control.