FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund 2026

Cycle II of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund is closed: it ran from 11 May to 29 May 2026 (6 PM ET), with awards expected in the fourth quarter of 2026. The official page says there will be more open calls in 2026 but gives no new dates, and grantees cannot apply again. The Fund offers one-year grants of US$50,000 to US$250,000 (about ₹47.5 lakh to ₹2.375 crore) to grassroots non-profits expanding access to quality education and sport for children. Registered non-profits in India can apply, because the only location rule is registration in the country where the money is used. The process is online, and this guide helps you prepare for the next call.

What the program offers

The Fund is a joint initiative of FIFA and Global Citizen. Grants are for general operating support or for programme and project support, run for one year and are one-time only. About 30 organisations were to be funded in Cycle II. The request must be under 50% of your annual budget for the grant year. Grantees must submit a mid-term and a final report. The Fund focuses on children in underserved communities, K-12 schooling and the use of football and sport as tools for learning.

"General operating support" means flexible money for your running costs such as salaries and rent, rather than money tied to one project.

Who can apply

The Fund is for community-based, grassroots organisations serving between 500 and 10,000 people. You must be a legally registered non-profit in the country where the funds will be used, and you must be directly involved in carrying out the proposed activities. You need to show financial stability with at least three years of audits where available, or certified financial records. Each organisation may submit one application. The page says applications are in English for now, though you may apply in your own language and translation is planned.

This suits an Indian NGO that runs schools, learning centres or sport-for-learning programmes at community scale. It does not suit large national charities, informal groups without registration, or for-profit companies, and past grantees are excluded.

How to apply

1. Check that you are registered as a non-profit in India and serve 500 to 10,000 people.
2. Decide between general operating support and programme support, and keep the request below half of your annual budget.
3. Gather three years of audited or certified accounts.
4. Submit one application through the Fund's online form while a cycle is open.
5. You will receive a receipt confirmation.

How applications are judged and what happens next

Applications go through an initial screening, and some applicants may be invited to meet Fund officials. Reviewers look at how you tackle financial barriers to schooling, school infrastructure, inclusion of girls and children with disabilities, and child safeguarding. They also weigh educational need, equity and inclusion, socioeconomic vulnerability, geographic balance, implementation capacity, fit with Global Citizen's K-12 goals and use of football and sport for learning, long-term viability and co-funding potential, and community participation. Cycle I ran from 27 October to 31 December 2025 with awards in mid-April 2026; Cycle II awards were to come in Q4 2026.

About the Fund

The Fund is a joint initiative of FIFA and Global Citizen to expand access to quality education and sport for children, particularly in underserved communities. Global Citizen is a US-based advocacy organisation. The page lists a non-fiduciary advisory board of public figures from sport, music and business.

Things to check before you apply

• One-time grant: if you are funded, you cannot reapply.
• Prepare a clear child-safeguarding approach, since it is a stated review topic.
• A practical tip: show your plan for the other half of your budget, because long-term viability and co-funding potential are reviewed.
• Indian NGOs receiving foreign money should check FCRA registration and tax treatment with an adviser before applying.
• The page's own wording on Cycle II dates is mixed, so confirm any future cycle's dates on the official page.