Up to $2 Million for AI Innovation & Public Service Projects – Cities Deliver 2026

The Rockefeller Foundation and OpenAI Foundation are offering $500,000–$2 million in grant funding through their new Cities Deliver: AI Solutions for Public Services initiative.

With $50 million in total funding, the programme supports organisations working alongside city governments to develop and expand AI-powered solutions that improve public services, particularly for underserved communities.

The initiative aims to help projects collectively reach up to 100 million city residents worldwide.

Here's what you can expect:

• $500,000–$2 million in grant funding per project

• Funding for projects lasting 24 months

• Support for developing, testing and scaling AI solutions

• Opportunities to collaborate with city governments

• Mentoring, peer learning and evaluation support

• Access to networks of city leaders, funders and technical partners

• Potential AI product and engineering support, subject to availability

• Opportunities to showcase projects at international events

What funding is available?

1. 🌱 Seed Funding – $500,000 to Under $1 Million

For early-stage AI solutions ready to be tested in a city environment.

Funding can support:

• Developing and refining innovative ideas

• Building AI-powered prototypes

• Testing solutions with city government partners

• Running pilot projects

• Gathering evidence of effectiveness

• Preparing successful solutions for future expansion

2. 🚀 Scale Funding – $1 Million to $2 Million

For AI solutions that have already been piloted and demonstrated early results.

Funding can support:

• Expanding existing AI solutions

• Reaching additional residents

• Scaling projects across city departments

• Introducing successful solutions in other cities

• Strengthening long-term financial sustainability

What projects can be funded?

The programme focuses on four priority areas.

1. 🏥 Public Health

AI solutions improving access to healthcare and public health services.

Examples include:

• Disease surveillance and outbreak prediction

• Improving access to frontline healthcare

• Disability support services

• Public health prevention programmes

• Food access and nutrition initiatives

2. 💼 Economic Mobility

Projects helping residents access employment, training and financial opportunities.

Examples include:

• AI-powered career guidance

• Employment and skills matching

• Improving access to public benefits

• Supporting unemployed and underemployed residents

• Connecting people with relevant training opportunities

3. 🌱 Environmental Resilience

AI technologies helping cities prepare for and respond to environmental challenges.

Examples include:

• Flood prediction and early-warning systems

• Emergency response technologies

• Climate risk monitoring

• Energy infrastructure management

• Environmental disaster preparedness

• Land management and resilience planning

4. 🏙️ Civic Engagement

Projects improving communication and interaction between residents and local government.

Examples include:

• AI-powered public service assistants

• Digital access to government services

• Multilingual resident support

• Public feedback and communication systems

• Improving permitting and regulatory processes

• Increasing participation in local decision-making

Important: Projects relating to voting or elections are excluded.

Who can apply?

Eligible lead applicants include:

• Registered nonprofit organisations

• Charities and civil society organisations

• University laboratories and research organisations

• Fiscally sponsored organisations

• Public benefit corporations

• Certain for-profit organisations delivering qualifying charitable projects

Important eligibility requirements:

Every application must:

• Be submitted by an eligible lead organisation.

• Include a committed city government partner.

• Deliver a clear charitable or public-benefit purpose.

• Focus on improving services for underserved or vulnerable communities.

• Demonstrate how advanced AI technology is central to the proposed solution.

• Show that the project addresses a genuine public service challenge.

• Demonstrate the ability to deploy technology responsibly.

• Include plans for privacy, safety, evaluation and long-term sustainability.

City governments cannot apply directly. They must collaborate with an eligible lead organisation.

Applicants are not required to use OpenAI technology. They may select the AI models and tools most appropriate for their project.

How is funding distributed?

Grants are awarded over 24 months.

• 50% of the approved funding is provided at the beginning of the project.

• The remaining 50% is released after a documented mid-project milestone.

Applicants should demonstrate that their project can achieve its objectives within the grant period.

How does the application process work?

Stage 1 – Initial Application

Applicants complete an eligibility screening and submit their first-round proposal, including a short video.

Stage 2 – Interviews

Shortlisted applicants are invited to participate in interviews.

Stage 3 – Full Proposal

Successful applicants from the interview stage are invited to submit a detailed second-round proposal.

Stage 4 – Final Selection

Selected organisations receive funding and programme support to deliver their projects.

Key dates

Funding: $500,000–$2 million per project

Total Programme Funding: $50 million

Project Duration: 24 months

Geographic Eligibility: International

Applications Opened: 14 October 2026

Initial Application Deadline: 🚨 29 November 2026 at 11:59 pm US Eastern Time