Gates Foundation: AI Transforming Learning Grants
Award: $150,000 - $200,000
Deadline: September 11, 2026
Interested? Please fill out the Sponsored Program Administration's Proposal Request Form to be assigned a research administrator.
Overview
The Gates Foundation wants to learn more about how AI is helping institutions make changes that are transformative, to learn what works and what doesn't and what processes need to be in place to encourage and support the change.
This is not a technology initiative, but a "learning grant" to see how the technology can and is making a difference, answering the question what does a University look like in an AI-enabled future?
While they do want to know about the technologies being used, they also want to understand the processes in place for to make the change happen and the qualifications of the people involved in making and sustaining that change.
Important Information
Selected institutions will contribute to a shared learning agenda designed to generate practical insights that can inform future strategy and help accelerate AI-enabled transformation across the field of higher education.
Funder has FAQs at the bottom of this page.
The Gates Foundation plans to fund up to eight broad access institutions.
Selected institutions may be invited to participate in a follow-up conversation with Gates Foundation staff before final funding decisions are made.
Institutions will be notified on October 2 and then the Learning Grant launch is November 2, 2026.
If you are considering an application in which you are the Principal Investigator, please ensure you meet PI eligibility requirements.
Process
This is a single step application process:
Fill out the Sponsored Programs Administration's Proposal Request Form to be assigned a research administrator.
The application will be managed by SPA, and you will work with your assigned research administrator.
All required information, in final form, needs to be submitted to SPA no later than five business days before submission deadline.