The Citi Foundation (the Foundation) is launching its fourth Global Innovation Challenge, committing $25 million to organizations developing innovative solutions that prepare low-income youth for success in today’s rapidly evolving, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven workplace. This year’s Challenge builds on the Foundation’s longstanding commitment to investing in youth economic opportunity, including through its decade-long Pathways to Progress initiative and the 2025 Global Innovation Challenge focused on accelerating youth employment.

Through this Request for Proposals (RFP), the Foundation seeks to identify innovative solutions that strengthen the skills of low-income youth, primarily between the ages of 15 and 24, and support them in securing employment opportunities in economies increasingly focused on AI and digital transformations.

Grantees will each receive a restricted award of $500,000. The anticipated disbursement schedule, subject to change, is as follows: $250,000 in Year 1 (2027) and $250,000 in Year 2 (2028).

Learn more and submit a Letter of Enquiry here