Cities Deliver: AI Solutions for Public Services

The Rockefeller Foundation and OpenAI Foundation have committed US$50 million to Cities Deliver, a global call for proposals supporting responsible AI solutions that improve public services. Projects must be developed with a city-government partner and benefit underserved, poor or distressed communities, or advance social welfare. The initiative aims to help funded projects reach up to 100 million city residents worldwide. Proposals must address one of four areas: public health; economic mobility; environmental resilience; or civic engagement. Voting and election-related projects are excluded. The AI capability must be central to the proposed solution, and applicants should show credible demand from the city and its communities, readiness to integrate technology into public-sector settings, responsible AI management, a path to sustainability and a clear learning and evaluation plan. Two funding tracks are available. The Seed track provides US$500,000 to less than US$1 million for early concepts ready for a first city pilot. The Scale track provides US$1 million to US$2 million for solutions already piloted in a city with early results. Grants run for 24 months, with half of the award disbursed at the start and half after a documented mid-term milestone. Support also includes a peer-learning cohort, webinars, mentorship and evaluation assistance; occasional AI product and engineering support, subject to capacity; access to funder and city networks; and invitations to a global or regional convening. Follow-on funding is not guaranteed. Round 1 requires an eligibility screen, a proposal and a short video by 29 November 2026 at 11:59 pm US Eastern Time. Applicants advancing from Round 1 will be invited to interviews in January 2027. Selected interviewees will submit a Round 2 proposal by 1 March 2027 at 11:59 pm US Eastern Time, with final decisions expected in April 2027. Applicants should review the official FAQs, terms and conditions, and Round 1 questions before registering on the application portal.

The lead applicant must be a nonprofit organisation, including an eligible university laboratory or fiscally sponsored organisation, or a public-benefit corporation. A for-profit company may qualify only in limited circumstances where the project is charitable and provides no more than an incidental benefit to the company’s business. Governments cannot apply directly. Every application must include a city-government partner committed to collaboration. The project must serve a charitable purpose by benefiting underserved, poor or distressed communities, or advancing social welfare. Existing grantees of The Rockefeller Foundation and RF Catalytic Capital may apply. This is an organisational award, not an individual fellowship, and the person submitting must be authorised to act for the applicant organisation.