Applications for the Education Fund are Now Open

The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund supports grassroots organizations expanding access to quality education and sports for children in underserved communities. By uniting resources and partnerships, FIFA and Global Citizen aim to give every child the chance to learn, grow, and thrive. Apply now to join us in building a brighter, more equitable future for children worldwide.

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Grant Overview

  • Application Types

    Organizations may apply for General Operating Support or Program/Project Support.

  • Organization

    Applicants must be community-based, grassroots organizations serving between 500 and 10,000 individuals.

  • Request Amount

    The amount requested must be less than 50% of the applicant’s annual budget for the proposed grant year.

  • One-time grant

    Grants are for one year only and grantees are not invited to reapply.

  • Amount

    Approximately 150 organizations will be funded in Cycle I, 2026.

  • Reporting
    Grant recipients will be required to submit to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund a mid-term and final report.

  • Screening

    Those applicants that pass initial screening may be invited to meet with Fund officials.

  • Language

    The application is currently available in English only, but will be translated in other languages soon. Applicants may apply in their native language.

  • Confirmation
    Upon submitting an application, the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund will send confirmation that the application was received. In addition, applicants might hear from the Fund's staff prior to December 31, 2025, if there are any questions about their application.

  • Submission Limit
    Only one application to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund may be submitted per applicant.

  • Range

    Grants range from $50K- $250K USD

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Evaluation Criteria

Addressing Local Learning Barriers

  • Financial Impediments to Education: Does the organization demonstrate a commitment to mitigating the financial barriers that often prevent children, particularly vulnerable populations, from accessing or continuing their education?
  • Educational Infrastructure: Are the organization’s initiatives aimed at improving the physical infrastructure of educational facilities, creating more conducive and accessible learning environments?
  • Inclusive Practices: Is the organization committed to developing and implementing inclusive practices that ensure equitable opportunities for all students, with a particular focus on female students and students with disabilities and diverse learning needs, breaking down systemic barriers to their participation and success?
  • Child Safeguarding: Does the organization demonstrate a robust framework for child safeguarding, prioritizing the safety and well-being of all children involved in its programs?

  • Legal Non-Profit Registration

    The applicant organization must possess unequivocal legal registration as a non-profit entity within the specific country where the grant funds are intended to be utilized.
  • Direct Implementation of Proposed Activities
    The organization must be directly involved in carrying out the initiatives aimed at enhancing educational access or improving educational quality, for which funding is sought.
  • Demonstrable Financial Stability
    Organizations must exhibit robust financial stability, evidenced by a minimum of 3 years of comprehensive financial audits where available or certified financial records.

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K–12 Education Grant Selection Criteria

  • Educational Imperative: Evaluates the urgency and significance of addressing educational challenges, assessing the depth of educational gaps and potential for substantial improvements.

  • Equity and Inclusion: Assesses the extent to which the grant serves historically underrepresented groups.

  • Socioeconomic Indicators: Evaluates the socioeconomic vulnerability of the target population, prioritizing communities with higher disadvantages due to their correlation with educational disparities.

  • Geographic Representation: Ensures balanced grant distribution across diverse geographic regions, focusing on underserved areas and assessing educational infrastructure accessibility.

  • Implementation Efficacy: Evaluates the program's capacity for effective implementation, clarity of design, feasibility of activities, organizational capacity, and robustness of monitoring frameworks.

  • Strategic Congruence: Ensures the grant aligns with Global Citizen's strategic goals in K–12 education and the use of football and sports for learning, favoring programs that clearly link to the organization's vision.
  • Leverage and Long-Term Viability: Examines the grant's potential to generate additional resources and foster sustainable long-term impact, assessing its ability to attract co-funding, develop partnerships, and build local capacity.
  • Community Participation: Assesses the extent of target community involvement in program design, implementation, and ownership, emphasizing community-led solutions and local knowledge integration.

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Timeline

Cycle I

October 27, 2025 : Applications Open

December 31, 2025: Applications Close

Early February, 2026: Award Notifications

Cycle II

TBA 2026 : Applications Open

TBA 2026: Applications Close

TBA 2026: Award Notifications

Founding Donors

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund?

The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund is a joint initiative to expand access to quality education and sports for children worldwide. The Fund mobilizes resources and partnerships to support grassroots organizations improving education outcomes, particularly for children in underserved communities.

What does the fund do?

  • Provides grants to grassroots organizations advancing education and sports.
  • Strengthens literacy, learning quality, and access for children globally.
  • Connects the worlds of sport, culture, and philanthropy to drive measurable impact.

Who is on the advisory board and what do they do?

The non-fiduciary advisory board includes Hugh Jackman, The Weeknd, Ivanka Trump, Gianni Infantino, Hugh Evans, Serena Williams, Shakira, Kaká and Bank of America co-president Jim DeMare, who will provide strategic guidance to ensure the fund achieves maximum impact in its support to organisations dedicated to improving literacy and improving education quality and access for children. 

Is this the only call for submissions to the grant?

No, there will be more open calls for submissions in 2026. Although, if you do receive a grant, you will not be eligible to apply again.