10/10/2026
NEW YORK, NY – Today, the Citi Foundation launched its fourth Global Innovation Challenge, issuing a $25 million Request for Proposals (RFP) focused on equipping young people around the world with the skills, experiences and opportunities they need to thrive in an economy increasingly shaped by AI.
To meet the moment, and help bridge the digital and AI divides for youth, the latest Global Innovation Challenge will provide $500,000 to 50 community organizations that are:
Helping low-income youth build both AI and human-centric skills needed for employment, such as prompt engineering and digital content creation as well as problem-solving and critical thinking.
Connecting young people with job opportunities through resources like community centers with shared devices and software platforms that work with limited internet access.
Strengthening existing youth employment programs by integrating AI tools.
Building and fostering cross-sector partnerships to share best practices, build capacity and meet evolving workforce needs.
This latest Challenge builds on the Citi Foundation's longstanding commitment to youth, including through its decade-long Pathways to Progress initiative and the 2025 Global Innovation Challenge focused on accelerating youth employment. Citi colleagues also support young people year-round through volunteerism, providing mentorship and career coaching, and delivering a range of workshops to build employability skills.
The deadline for eligible organizations to submit their interest is Tuesday, October 6 at 12:00 p.m. New York Time (Eastern Time) and recipients will be announced in 2027. For more information on this opportunity including eligibility requirements and target geographies, please visit www.citifoundation.com/rfp.
