The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund is a significant global effort that was established by FIFA and Global Citizen with the purpose of investing in grassroots organisations that work to increase educational access and quality, particularly through the integration of football and education.
All of the information that you require is provided below: what the fund is, who is eligible to apply, how to apply, and the best practices to improve your chances of being selected.
Also see: Parallex Bank Graduate Trainee Program (2025)
Quick Summary of FIFA (Global Citizen) Education Fund
| Company/Host | FIFA (Global Citizen) |
| Category | Grant |
| Eligible Countries: | All Countries |
| Title | FIFA (Global Citizen) Education Fund |
| Benefits | $250,000 Grant |
| Application open date | 27 October 2025 |
| End Date: | December 31, 2025 |
About the FIFA (Global Citizen) Education Fund
The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund helps grassroots groups get more kids in underprivileged areas access to good sports and education. FIFA and Global Citizen want to provide every child the chance to study, grow, and flourish by working together and using their resources.
The Fund’s goal is to make it easier for more people to get a good K–12 education and to use sports, especially football, as a way to learn and grow as a person.
FIFA and Global Citizen are working together to raise $100 million for children throughout the world.
Grants of between $50,000 and $250,000 are offered to eligible grassroots and community-based groups.
The first application period runs from October 27, 2025, to December 31, 2025, and the winners will be announced in early 2026.
Grant Overview
Application Types
- Organizations may apply for General Operating Support or Program/Project Support.
Organization
- Applicants must be community-based, grassroots organizations serving between 500 and 10,000 individuals.
Request Amount
- The amount requested must be less than 50% of the applicant’s annual budget for the proposed grant year.
One-time grant
- Grants are for one year only and grantees are not invited to reapply.
Amount
- Approximately 150 organizations will be funded in Cycle I, 2026.
Reporting
- Grant recipients will be required to submit to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund a mid-term and final report.
Screening
- Those applicants that pass initial screening may be invited to meet with Fund officials.
Language
- The application is currently available in English only, but will be translated in other languages soon. Applicants may apply in their native language.
Confirmation
- Upon submitting an application, the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund will send confirmation that the application was received. In addition, applicants might hear from the Fund’s staff prior to December 31, 2025, if there are any questions about their application.
Submission Limit
- Only one application to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund may be submitted per applicant.
Range
- Grants range from $50K- $250K USD
K–12 Education Grant Selection Criteria
- Educational Imperative: Evaluates the urgency and significance of addressing educational challenges, assessing the depth of educational gaps and potential for substantial improvements.
- Equity and Inclusion: Assesses the extent to which the grant serves historically underrepresented groups.
- Socioeconomic Indicators: Evaluates the socioeconomic vulnerability of the target population, prioritizing communities with higher disadvantages due to their correlation with educational disparities.
- Geographic Representation: Ensures balanced grant distribution across diverse geographic regions, focusing on underserved areas and assessing educational infrastructure accessibility.
- Implementation Efficacy: Evaluates the program’s capacity for effective implementation, clarity of design, feasibility of activities, organizational capacity, and robustness of monitoring frameworks.
- Strategic Congruence: Ensures the grant aligns with Global Citizen’s strategic goals in K–12 education and the use of football and sports for learning, favoring programs that clearly link to the organization’s vision.
- Leverage and Long-Term Viability: Examines the grant’s potential to generate additional resources and foster sustainable long-term impact, assessing its ability to attract co-funding, develop partnerships, and build local capacity.
- Community Participation: Assesses the extent of target community involvement in program design, implementation, and ownership, emphasizing community-led solutions and local knowledge integration.
Timeline
Cycle I
- October 27, 2025 : Applications Open
- December 31, 2025: Applications Close
- Early February, 2026: Award Notifications
Cycle II
- TBA 2026 : Applications Open
- TBA 2026: Applications Close
- TBA 2026: Award Notifications
Benefits
- Grants might be anywhere from $50,000 to $250,000 USD.
- Gives money to small groups that work to improve education and sports.
- Improves children’s literacy, the quality of their education, and their access to it around the world.
Brings together sports, culture, and charity to make a real difference.How to Apply
Apply online through the official FIFA (Global Citizen) Education Fund portal by clicking the application button below:
Submit the application
- Go to the official portal by clicking the Apply Here button below
- Fill out the online form: organisational info, project summary, budget, supporting documents.
- Applications for Cycle I: Open 27 Oct 2025, Close 31 Dec 2025.
- After submission, you should receive confirmation of receipt.
Prepare your proposal
- Tell a clear story about what your organisation does, what your project is, and where and how it will help kids in school and sports.
- Specify the target beneficiaries (number of children, demographics), the setting, and the method of integrating sport/football into education or youth development.
- Budget: show how you’ll spend the money, when you’ll do it, what you’ll deliver, and how you’ll know if you’re successful.
- Include safety measures and inclusive practices: how you will make sure that all children are safe, that boys and girls are treated equally, and that children with disabilities can take part.
- Sustainability: how your initiative will continue, grow, and be used after the grant time ends.
- Community involvement: how the community is involved in planning and carrying out the project.
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