Apply: Citi Foundation Global Innovation Challenge 2026 Offers $500,000 Grants
The Citi Foundation has opened applications for its 2026 Global Innovation Challenge.
It offers grants of up to US$500,000 to nonprofit organisations developing innovative solutions that prepare low-income young people for an economy increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
The fourth edition of the Global Innovation Challenge will provide a total of $25 million in funding to 50 community organisations, with each selected organisation eligible to receive a restricted grant of $500,000.
The 2026 challenge focuses specifically on preparing young people, primarily those aged 15 to 24, with the technical and human-centred skills required to participate in an increasingly AI-driven labour market.
About the Global Innovation Challenge
The Global Innovation Challenge is a philanthropic funding programme established by the Citi Foundation to support community organisations developing innovative responses to major social and economic challenges affecting low-income communities.
For the 2026 edition, the Foundation is seeking programmes that can help young people develop relevant AI, digital and employability skills while improving their access to economic opportunities.
The Foundation says the latest challenge builds on its previous investments in youth economic opportunity, including the 2025 Global Innovation Challenge, which focused on accelerating youth employability.
What Does the $500,000 Grant Cover?
Each successful organisation will receive a restricted $500,000 grant, with the funding expected to be disbursed in two equal annual payments:
- $250,000 in 2027
- $250,000 in 2028
The grant period will run for 24 months, with programmes expected to start no earlier than June 1, 2027.
The funding is intended to be catalytic, helping organisations pilot or expand programmes that prepare young people for employment in an AI-driven economy.
Eligible programme expenses may include:
- Staff salaries
- Technology
- Training and programme materials
- Events
- Research
- Communications
- Marketing
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Convenings
- Overhead costs
The Foundation may also provide selected grantees with opportunities for employee volunteering and participation in a learning community focused on sharing knowledge and best practices.
Focus Areas
Applicants are expected to propose innovative solutions addressing one or more of the challenge’s priority areas.
1. AI and Human-Centred Skills
Projects may provide young people with training in areas such as:
- AI fundamentals
- Ethical use of AI
- Prompt engineering
- Digital content creation
- AI-enabled tools
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Advanced reasoning
- Creativity
The aim is to combine technical AI capabilities with human-centred skills that can strengthen employability.
2. Expanding Digital Access
The programme also supports initiatives that improve young people’s access to digital resources and technology.
Examples include community hubs with shared devices, open-source AI resources, low-connectivity solutions and offline digital tools that can improve digital literacy and access to employment opportunities.
3. Strengthening NGO Capacity and Networks
Organisations can also propose programmes that strengthen existing youth employability initiatives by integrating AI-enabled tools, training and resources.
Projects may involve partnerships across education, nonprofit, technology and business sectors to develop new approaches and share best practices.
Who Can Apply?
The funding opportunity is open to eligible nonprofit organisations, rather than individuals, businesses or sole proprietorships.
Applicants must:
- Be legally registered as a nonprofit organisation under local law.
- Demonstrate that their mission or strategic priorities specifically focus on serving low-income individuals.
- Operate 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.
- Apply directly rather than through a fiscal sponsor.
Individuals and sole proprietorships are not eligible for the programme. Private foundations and organisations that require fiscal sponsorship are also excluded.
Is Nigeria Eligible?
Yes. Nigeria is among the eligible countries.
The Citi Foundation’s target African countries for the 2026 Global Innovation Challenge include: Algeria, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia.
Organisations do not necessarily have to be headquartered in one of these countries, but the proposed programme must have an impact in at least one of the Foundation’s designated target geographies.
Application Process
The 2026 Global Innovation Challenge will be conducted in two stages.
Round One: Letter of Inquiry
Interested organisations must first submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) through the Citi Foundation’s grant portal.
The Foundation will assess submissions based on factors including strategic alignment, feasibility and potential impact.
The deadline to submit the LOI is:
October 6, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. New York Time (Eastern Time).
Round Two: Full Grant Application
The Foundation expects to notify organisations by the end of November 2026 whether they have been invited to proceed to the full application stage.
Organisations invited to the second round will receive further instructions regarding the full grant application.
The Foundation anticipates announcing final funding decisions no later than the end of May 2027.
An invitation to submit a full application does not guarantee that an organisation will receive funding.
Important Financial Requirement
Organisations invited to the full application stage must be able to submit externally audited financial statements covering part of calendar year 2024 or a subsequent year.
The financial statements must include an auditor’s letter with a signature, complete financial statements and auditor’s notes.
Organisations that do not meet this requirement are not eligible for funding under the challenge.
How to Apply
Eligible nonprofit organisations interested in the funding opportunity should first register through the Citi Foundation’s official grant portal and submit their Letter of Inquiry before the deadline.
Apply Now: Citi Foundation Global Innovation Challenge 2026 Application Portal
Applicants should carefully review the official RFP requirements and eligibility criteria before submitting their applications.
Key Details
Programme: Citi Foundation Global Innovation Challenge 2026
Theme: Preparing Youth for AI
Total funding: $25 million
Number of grants: Up to 50
Grant amount: $500,000 per organisation
Grant duration: 24 months
Target beneficiaries: Low-income youth, primarily ages 15–24
Eligible applicants: Nonprofit organisations
Nigeria: Eligible
Application stage: Letter of Inquiry
LOI deadline: October 6, 2026, 12:00 p.m. New York Time
Full application: By invitation
Expected final funding decisions: By end of May 2027
Application mode: Online
