F5 Foundation Offers $50,000 Grants for STEM & AI Education in 2026

F5 Foundation Launches 2026 STEM & AI Education Grants with $50,000 Funding

The F5 Foundation has opened applications for its 2026 STEM & AI Education Grant Program. This initiative offers ten nonprofit organizations the chance to receive $50,000 USD in unrestricted funding. The goal is to expand access to science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and artificial intelligence (AI) education for underserved populations living in poverty. Building on six years of grantmaking, the 2026 program introduces new features to create a greater impact in regions facing significant educational and technological challenges. F5 is specifically looking to support organizations that are preparing future innovators and technology leaders by providing them with essential STEM and AI skills.

About the 2026 F5 STEM & AI Education Grants

The F5 Foundation’s grant program aims to support organizations that are building pathways into STEM and AI careers for individuals in poverty. For 2026, ten nonprofit organizations will each receive a $50,000 USD one-time grant. This funding is unrestricted, meaning organizations can use it flexibly to best meet their needs and strengthen their long-term operations. A global committee of F5 employees will review the applications. This flexible funding model allows organizations to maximize their impact and sustainability, unlike many grants that restrict how funds can be used.

Key Changes in the 2026 F5 Grant Program

The 2026 funding cycle includes three main strategic changes designed to increase the program’s reach and impact.

1. Geographic Focus on High-Need Regions

For the first time, F5 is concentrating its funding on regions where access to STEM and AI education is limited. Eligible areas include Northern Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, Eastern Asia, South-Eastern Asia, Southern Asia, Western Asia (Middle East), Central America, South America, and Caribbean nations. This focused approach aims to direct resources to areas where they can make the most significant difference.

2. Artificial Intelligence as a Required Component

A major update for 2026 is the mandatory inclusion of artificial intelligence. To be considered, organizations must show how AI is integrated into their educational programs, training, curricula, capacity-building efforts, or technology career development. This could involve teaching AI literacy, machine learning, responsible AI practices, or using AI tools for learning. F5 believes AI knowledge is becoming crucial for future economic success and wants to support groups preparing communities for AI-driven industries.

3. Stronger Emphasis on Poverty Alleviation

The Foundation is increasing its focus on serving individuals living in poverty. Organizations must prove that over 50% of their beneficiaries live in poverty, that their programs directly support underserved populations, and that their STEM and AI education activities reduce barriers to opportunity. The aim is to create more equal access to emerging technologies and future job prospects.

Eligibility Requirements for Applicants

Organizations interested in applying must meet specific criteria.

Organizational Requirements

Applicants must be legally registered charities or operate under a registered fiscal sponsor. They need at least three years of operational experience and an active organizational website. The organization must operate within the eligible regions, focus on STEM and AI education, serve populations in poverty, and show measurable impact with data.

Programmatic Requirements

Organizations should focus on areas like expanding STEM access, AI education, workforce development, capacity building, career readiness, technology training, or innovation-focused learning. The organization’s mission should clearly support greater inclusion and opportunity in STEM and AI fields.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Organizations with policies that discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, national origin, political ideology, veteran status, or other protected characteristics are not eligible.

International Organizations Can Apply

Nonprofits outside the United States are encouraged to apply. International applicants will go through an Enhanced Expenditure Responsibility (EER) process managed by CAF America. F5 covers all EER fees, and successful completion is required before funds are disbursed.

What Types of Impact Does F5 Want to See?

Demonstrating measurable impact is a key part of the application. Organizations must provide quantitative evidence of how their programs have improved STEM and AI access and outcomes. This includes data on education outcomes like graduation rates and college enrollment, career outcomes such as employment rates and career advancement, learning outcomes like improved academic performance and digital literacy, and participation outcomes like program completion rates and increased representation of underserved groups. Applications with strong data are expected to be more competitive.

Application Questions Overview

The application is divided into six main sections.

1. Organizational Profile

This section asks for basic information about the organization, including its legal name, mission, goals, website, regions served, country of registration, staff numbers, and annual budget.

2. Programmatic Focus and Impact

Here, applicants must describe their current STEM and AI programs, the communities they serve, their poverty-focused interventions, and their measurable outcomes. Success stories and case studies are also requested.

3. Community Partnerships

This section focuses on the organization’s local partnerships, collaborations, shared initiatives, and community engagement strategies.

4. Funding and Sustainability

Applicants will explain how the grant funds will be used, the expected outcomes, their sustainability plans, strategies for future scaling, and long-term impact goals.

5. Eligibility Confirmation

This section requires applicants to formally confirm that they meet all the eligibility requirements for the grant.

6. Contact Information

Finally, organizations will provide the primary contact person’s details, including their email address, and indicate the referral source and any history of previous participation.

Important Dates for Applicants

The application period opened on June 1, 2026. The deadline for submissions is June 14, 2026, at 11:45 PM PST. Results are expected to be announced in July 2026. It is advised to prepare responses in advance, as the online application cannot be saved and resumed later.

Application Guidelines

Applications must be completed entirely in English and submitted electronically. There is a maximum response length of 4,000 words per question, with a total application character limit of 200,000 characters. Organizations should carefully review all questions and draft their responses offline before starting the submission process.

Apply Here

Why This Grant Matters

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence is creating new opportunities and inequalities globally. Through this grant program, the F5 Foundation is investing in organizations that help underserved communities gain the skills and knowledge needed to participate in the future economy. For nonprofits already achieving results in STEM and AI education, this funding offers a chance to expand their programs, reach more people, improve sustainability, and increase their long-term impact. With ten grants of $50,000 available, organizations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America have a significant opportunity to gain support for initiatives that transform lives through education and technology.

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