Grants for the Development of Education and Sports for Children

The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund is an initiative aimed at expanding access to quality education and sport for children worldwide. The Fund mobilizes resources and partnerships to support grassroots organizations improving learning outcomes, especially in underserved communities.

Funding is directed to grassroots programs in more than 200 countries. Part of the funds will support the FIFA Football for Schools (F4S) program implemented by FIFA and UNESCO.

The initiative is implemented by FIFA and Global Citizen.

Within the framework of the grant program, community-based and grassroots organizations serving populations between 500 and 10,000 individuals are eligible to apply.

Organizations may submit applications for:

• General Operating Support;
• Program/Project Support.

Key participation requirements include:

• official legal registration as a non-profit organization;
• direct implementation of the proposed activities;
• demonstrated financial stability, including at least three years of financial records or audits.

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

The evaluation process will also consider:

• the organization’s ability to reduce financial barriers to education;
• improvement of educational infrastructure;
• implementation of inclusive practices;
• existence of child safeguarding policies.

Priority is given to initiatives focused on improving educational access for vulnerable children and creating safe and inclusive learning environments.

Within the framework of the grant program, funding is available in the amount of USD 50,000 to USD 250,000 per project.

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

The program provides a one-time grant for one year only, and grantees will not be invited to reapply.

The organizers also state that approximately 30 organizations are expected to receive funding during Cycle II, 2026.

The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund supports initiatives aimed at expanding access to quality education and sports for children worldwide.

Supported activities and project types include:

• projects led by grassroots and community-based organizations in the fields of education and sports;
• initiatives focused on improving learning outcomes;
• programs strengthening literacy and education quality;
• projects expanding children’s access to educational opportunities, particularly in underserved communities.

The Fund also promotes partnerships across sports, culture, and philanthropy to generate measurable social impact.

Priority is given to initiatives supporting children from vulnerable and underserved communities.

Within the framework of the grant program, a roadmap has been announced for two grant cycles.

Cycle I

• applications open — October 27, 2025;
• applications close — December 31, 2025;
• award notifications — mid-April 2026.

Cycle II

• applications open — May 11, 2026, at 8:00 AM ET;
• applications close — May 29, 2026, at 6:00 PM ET;
• award notifications — scheduled for Q4 2026.

The organizers encourage applicants to follow the established submission deadlines for each grant cycle.

To apply, applicants must:

• complete eligibility screening;
• submit an online application through the Global Citizen portal;
• provide organizational and project information;
• undergo the evaluation process.

Within the framework of the grant program, applications will be assessed based on a comprehensive set of criteria related to project impact, inclusion, sustainability, and organizational capacity.

Key evaluation criteria include:

• the urgency of the educational challenge and the project’s potential for significant improvement;
• the level of equity and inclusion for historically underrepresented groups;
• consideration of the socioeconomic vulnerability of target communities;
• geographic representation and support for underserved regions;
• implementation effectiveness, including organizational capacity and monitoring systems.

The evaluation will also consider:

• alignment with the strategic goals of the program;
• potential for long-term sustainability and resource mobilization;
• development of partnerships and local capacity;
• community participation in project design and implementation.

Priority will be given to initiatives demonstrating practical impact, sustainable outcomes, and strong engagement of local communities.

Within the framework of the grant program, grant recipients are required to submit mid-term and final reports to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.

Reporting is a mandatory requirement for supported projects and serves as part of the monitoring process for grant implementation.

The guidelines also state that applicants who successfully pass the initial screening stage may be invited to meet with Fund officials.

Applicants must possess legal registration as a non-profit organization in the country of implementation.