Apply Now: F5 STEM and AI Education Grants for Underserved Communities

Deadline: 14-Jun-2026

The 2026 F5 STEM & AI Education Grants support nonprofit organizations that are expanding access to STEM and artificial intelligence education for underserved communities living in poverty across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The program aims to strengthen educational opportunities, build workforce skills, and create pathways to employment by supporting innovative initiatives that integrate both STEM learning and AI education.

F5 will award ten unrestricted grants of USD 50,000 each to eligible nonprofit organizations demonstrating measurable impact in STEM and AI education.

About the Grant Program

The F5 STEM & AI Education Grants are designed to empower future innovators, leaders, and changemakers by increasing access to quality STEM and AI learning opportunities in regions where educational resources remain limited.

For the 2026 funding cycle, the program introduces a geographically focused approach targeting Africa, Asia, and Latin America while making artificial intelligence a mandatory component of all supported initiatives.

The program seeks to expand equitable access to education and career opportunities for individuals facing economic disadvantage.

Program Objectives

The grant program aims to:

• Expand access to STEM education
• Increase AI literacy and skills development
• Promote innovation in science and technology learning
• Strengthen workforce readiness and employability
• Support career development pathways
• Build institutional and community capacity
• Improve educational outcomes
• Increase inclusion in STEM and AI fields
• Create opportunities for underserved populations
• Support long-term economic mobility

Projects should demonstrate how they contribute to these objectives through measurable and sustainable outcomes.

Priority Areas

Eligible programs should focus on one or more of the following areas:

• STEM education
• Artificial intelligence education
• AI literacy and awareness
• Coding and technology training
• Digital skills development
• Innovation and problem-solving
• Career readiness and workforce preparation
• Educational access and inclusion
• Capacity-building initiatives
• Leadership development in STEM fields

Projects should clearly show how participants gain practical knowledge and skills.

Artificial Intelligence Requirement

A key feature of the 2026 grant cycle is the mandatory integration of artificial intelligence.

Applicants must demonstrate how AI is incorporated into:

• Educational curricula
• Training programs
• Learning activities
• Workforce development initiatives
• Technology education projects
• STEM enrichment programs

Organizations should explain how participants will develop AI-related knowledge, skills, or competencies through the proposed program.

Funding Available

The program will provide:

• Ten grants worldwide
• USD 50,000 per organization
• Unrestricted funding
• One-time grant support

The unrestricted nature of the grant allows organizations flexibility in supporting eligible program activities and organizational priorities.

Geographic Focus

The 2026 grant cycle specifically prioritizes organizations serving communities in:

• Africa
• Asia
• Latin America

Funding must be used exclusively for programs benefiting eligible communities within these regions.

Target Beneficiaries

The grant places strong emphasis on serving individuals living in poverty.

The United Nations defines this population as people living on less than USD 2 per day.

Applicants must demonstrate that:

• More than 50% of program beneficiaries fall within this category
• Programs are designed to address educational barriers faced by low-income communities
• Activities contribute to improving long-term educational and economic opportunities

Organizations should provide evidence of the populations they serve.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants must:

• Be legally registered nonprofit organizations, or
• Be fiscally sponsored by a legally registered nonprofit
• Have at least three years of operational experience
• Operate programs within Africa, Asia, or Latin America
• Maintain an active operational website
• Demonstrate measurable impact through previous work

Organizations should have a proven history of delivering successful educational programs.

Eligible Organization Types

Organizations whose primary mission relates to one or more of the following areas are encouraged to apply:

• STEM education
• AI education and literacy
• Educational inclusion
• Career development
• Workforce readiness
• Capacity building
• Technology access
• Youth development
• Community education

Programs should align closely with the grant’s educational objectives.

Demonstrating Impact

Applicants must provide quantitative evidence showing the effectiveness of their programs.

Examples of measurable outcomes include:

• College placement rates
• Graduation rates
• Employment outcomes
• Academic achievement improvements
• Program completion rates
• Skills development outcomes
• STEM participation rates
• AI learning achievements
• Increased representation of low-income populations in STEM and AI pathways

Strong evidence of impact is a critical component of the selection process.

International Applicant Requirements

Nonprofit organizations located outside the United States must complete an Enhanced Expenditure Responsibility review process administered by CAF America.

Key points include:

• Approval is required before funding can be awarded
• The review confirms organizational eligibility and compliance
• All associated review costs are covered by F5
• Successful completion is mandatory for non-U.S. recipients

Applicants should be prepared to provide the required documentation during this process.

Ineligible Organizations

Organizations may be considered ineligible if they:

• Have fewer than three years of operational experience
• Lack nonprofit status or fiscal sponsorship
• Do not operate within the eligible regions
• Fail to integrate AI into their programs
• Cannot demonstrate measurable impact
• Have written policies that discriminate based on protected characteristics

Applicants should carefully review eligibility requirements before applying.

Why This Grant Matters

Access to STEM and AI education is increasingly important for economic participation, innovation, and workforce development. However, many underserved communities continue to face significant barriers to accessing these opportunities.

The F5 STEM & AI Education Grants help:

• Bridge educational gaps
• Increase access to emerging technologies
• Support future workforce development
• Promote digital inclusion
• Strengthen economic opportunities
• Advance educational equity
• Build local innovation capacity
• Empower underserved communities

By supporting organizations working directly with disadvantaged populations, the program contributes to more inclusive participation in the digital economy.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How many grants will be awarded in 2026?
  Ten nonprofit organizations will receive funding.
• What is the value of each grant?
  Each selected organization will receive an unrestricted one-time grant of USD 50,000.
• Which regions are eligible?
  Programs serving communities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America are eligible.
• Is artificial intelligence required as part of the program?
  Yes. AI integration is a mandatory component of all eligible initiatives.
• Who are the target beneficiaries?
  The primary beneficiaries must be individuals living in poverty, with more than half of participants meeting this criterion.
• Can organizations outside the United States apply?
  Yes. International nonprofits may apply but must complete the Enhanced Expenditure Responsibility review administered by CAF America.
• What types of evidence should applicants provide?
  Organizations should provide measurable results such as graduation rates, employment outcomes, program completion rates, academic improvements, or increased participation in STEM and AI pathways.

Conclusion

The 2026 F5 STEM & AI Education Grants provide significant support for nonprofit organizations working to expand STEM and artificial intelligence education among underserved populations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Through ten unrestricted USD 50,000 grants, the program seeks to improve educational access, strengthen workforce readiness, promote AI literacy, and create meaningful opportunities for individuals living in poverty to participate in the future digital economy.

For more information, visit F5.