Deadline Date: January 08, 2026
The Activate AI: Economic Opportunity Challenge, launched by data.org in collaboration with Zoom, is a global call for innovative AI applications that empower people and communities and unlock economic opportunity for a resilient future.
The focus of this challenge is to drive AI workforce development and organizational capacity, develop pathways to create future friendly jobs leveraging data and AI, and build climate resilient communities for a green economy. Through this challenge, data.org and Zoom are seeking projects that apply artificial intelligence in ways that create meaningful social impact while strengthening economic resilience. The initiative is open to a wide range of applicants, including for-profit entities, non-profit entities, and government agencies, provided that all proposed projects have a charitable purpose as defined under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The challenge will award at least five final winners, each receiving a combination of grant funding of USD 115,000 and in-kind support. In-kind support may include data science talent, staff training, technical support and consulting, media production, marketing and promotional outreach, and software and infrastructure licenses. Each award will be governed by a grant agreement between data.org and the selected awardee.
Applicants are required to submit their entries in English and must register for the challenge prior to applying. Organizations are generally limited to one entry, with specific provisions allowing multiple distinct entries from large institutions such as universities or fiscal sponsors, provided there is no overlap in scope or project teams. All submissions must comply with the challenge rules and deadlines and must avoid any obscene, defamatory, or illegal content.
All entries must clearly demonstrate their charitable purpose, ensuring broad social benefit without resulting in more than incidental financial gain to individuals or non-charitable entities. Applicants are also required to outline anticipated ownership, use, or licensing of any intellectual property resulting from the project. Challenge awards may not be used for political activities, lobbying, election influence, or any actions that violate legal restrictions applicable to nonprofit organizations.
For more information, visit DataDotOrg.
