About the Grant Program

OpenAI has launched the EMEA Youth & Wellbeing Grant, a €500,000 funding initiative designed to support organizations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa that are advancing youth safety, wellbeing, and responsible AI practices.

The program will offer funding to NGOs and research organizations working directly with children, young people, families, or educators—or producing independent research on how AI affects young people's safety, wellbeing, and development.

Why This Initiative Matters

As AI becomes integrated into how young people learn, create, and communicate, ensuring these tools are beneficial and safe has never been more critical. OpenAI believes that collaboration between youth organizations, independent researchers, and AI developers can help strengthen understanding of AI's real-world benefits while testing and strengthening safeguards.

Funding Scope and Focus Areas

For NGOs: - Youth protection and harm-prevention programs
- AI literacy initiatives focused on young people, parents, or educators
- Practical tools to help organizations respond safely to AI-related risks

For Research Organizations: - Research on new ways AI can enrich youth development and education
- Research on child safety and adolescent wellbeing
- Evaluations of youth-safety safeguards in real-world settings

Grant Details

Total Fund: €500,000 Typical Award Size: €25,000–€100,000 Multi-Year Consideration: Larger programs and networked partnerships will be considered for multi-year awards Allowable Costs: Reasonable direct and indirect costs consistent with institutional policies

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

- Must be 18+ and represent an operational NGO, research institution, or coalition
- Must work primarily on youth safety, adolescent wellbeing, or AI impacts on minors
- Must demonstrate capacity to deliver the work ethically and on time
- Must be willing to share methodology and findings
- Must be willing to engage with the Council of Approvals where required
- Mandatory: Legal registration in an EMEA country (Europe, Middle East, or Africa)

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated against these weighted factors:

- EMEA Presence (Mandatory): Legal registration in an EMEA country with proof available upon request
- Program Alignment (High): How clearly the project advances AI youth safety, evaluates safeguards, or produces actionable evidence
- Impact & Scalability (High): Measurable contributions to youth wellbeing or safety; potential to influence policy, practice, or product design
- Methodological Rigor & Ethics (High): Research methods, minor protection, consent processes, and safe data handling
- Feasibility & Capacity (High): Operational/research capacity, realistic timelines, budgets, and data governance
- Sustainability & Amplification (Medium): Potential for continuation beyond grant period or local capacity building

How to Apply

Application Timeline: - Opens: 28 January 2026
- Closes: 27 February 2026
- Project Start: Q2-Q3 2026

Required Submission Documents:

  1. Project title
  2. Detailed proposal (max 500 words): objectives, methods, timeline, key deliverables, value to stakeholders
  3. Detailed budget and justification
  4. Team CVs and institutional affiliations
  5. Ethics statement and data handling plan (if applicable)
  6. Letters of support or partnership confirmation (if applicable)
Contact: [email protected] for application questions

Note: Status updates will not be provided for applications not selected.

Review Process

Applications go through a structured review:

  1. Initial screening for eligibility and completeness
  2. Council review for technical, ethical, and legal fit
  3. Final approvals and contracting (Legal & Comms sign-off)
  4. Award activation with funded partners beginning pilots in Q2 2026

Get Involved

If your organization is working to advance youth safety and wellbeing in the age of AI, this grant represents a significant opportunity to expand your impact. The deadline is February 27, 2026.

Source: OpenAI EMEA Youth & Wellbeing Grant

TL;DR

- €500,000 grant program for European, Middle Eastern, and African organizations
- Support youth safety, AI literacy, and wellbeing initiatives
- Typical awards: €25K–€100K (multi-year available)
- Apply by February 27, 2026 for Q2-Q3 projects
- Contact: [email protected]