Focus Areas
We are seeking proposals that improve access to and quality of public services in vulnerable or underserved communities in the following focus areas:
- Public HealthSolutions that extend the reach and readiness of public health systems, from frontline care and disease surveillance to population-scale prevention. Includes healthcare, disability services, food access, and nutrition.
- Economic MobilitySolutions use AI to connect unemployed and underemployed residents to income, skills, and benefits. Includes AI-enabled benefits enrollment, career navigation and skills-based hiring, and employer-aligned training.
- Environmental ResilienceSolutions that help cities forecast, withstand, and recover from environmental shocks, protecting both people and the infrastructure they depend on. Includes public safety and emergency services, energy and grid infrastructure, and land management in communities at risk.
- Civic EngagementSolutions that help city governments reach residents proactively and respond faster, from two-way service channels to participatory decision-making. Includes digital access and connectivity, court services, and permitting and regulatory processes. Excludes projects related to voting or elections.
Two tracks of funding
Applications are accepted in two tracks:
$500,000 to <$1 million
For: Early concepts ready for a first city pilot
Supports: Refining the idea with city partners, building and testing a prototype, and piloting it
Success looks like: Evidence the solution works, people use it, and what it would take to sustain and scale it
$1 to $2 million
For: Solutions piloted in a city with early results
Supports: Expanding within your city or extending to another city
Success looks like: More people reached and a credible path to long-term funding, such as government budgets
All grants run 24 months, with 50% disbursed at the start and 50% upon a documented mid-term milestone. Grants don’t guarantee follow-on funding. Applicants should be able to achieve intended project goals with funding available in this grant within 24 months.
Who Can Apply
Every project needs:
- An eligible lead organization
A nonprofit (including university labs and fiscally sponsored organizations) or a public benefit corporation. For-profits may qualify in limited cases with a charitable project, and no more than an incidental benefit to the for-profit company’s business. Governments may not apply directly. - A city partner
All applicant organizations must have a city partner with a commitment to collaborate. - A charitable purpose
A benefit to underserved, poor, or distressed communities, or to social welfare.
We are looking for projects and partnerships that:
- Respond to demand.
The project addresses credible demand from city government partners and the communities they serve. - Start with the problem.
The project tackles a significant problem that your city government has prioritized, which affects vulnerable communities or promotes social welfare. - Then plan a solution.
The project takes advantage of the latest capabilities of frontier AI models, and those capabilities are core to the proposed solution. - Focus on readiness.
Your team and city partner can integrate technology into public sector settings. - Build for sustainability.
The project is well-positioned to be sustained in terms of follow-on funding, city capacity, and integration with government systems. - Act responsibly.
Applicants demonstrate the ability to build and manage AI solutions safely and responsibly. - Plan to learn.
Applicants propose a clear learning agenda for assessing progress including evaluation, user feedback, and path to social impact.
What grantees receive
Funding
$500,000 to $2 million over 24 months.
Peer learning
A facilitated cohort, plus webinars, mentorship, and evaluation support based on demand.
Technical support
Occasional AI product and engineering support, subject to capacity. This does not include bespoke support for each project.
Visibility and network
Access to Rockefeller Foundation and OpenAI Foundation networks of city leaders, funders, and technical partners.
Convening
Grantees and key stakeholders will be invited to participate in a global or regional convening to share experiences and lessons and to showcase their work.
Helpful Resources
FAQs →
If the FAQs and Terms and Conditions conflict, the Terms and Conditions govern.
Please submit any questions about the call for proposals by October 31, 2026 at 11:59pm U.S. Eastern Time to citiesdeliver@rockfound.org. Revised FAQs based on applicant questions will be available on November 4, 2026.
Please note: this is an organizational award, not an individual fellowship. Applications must be submitted by an eligible organization, and the individual completing the forms must be authorized to submit on that organization’s behalf.
Cities Deliver is managed by RF Catalytic Capital (RFCC) an affiliate of The Rockefeller Foundation.
