AI Cohort Program 2.0: Empowering NGOs to Scale Impact with AI

Building on the learnings from our pilot last year, Project Tech4Dev and The Agency Fund are launching AI Cohort Program 2.0, which is a hands-on journey to help NGOs meaningfully integrate AI into their programs and drive real, scalable impact.

Last year, we worked with 7 NGOs over a 4 month pilot program. The primary mindset of the program was to experiment, test and iterate quickly to reach a pilotable solution. Taking the learnings from the pilot, we are opening up applications for AI cohort 2.0. In this round, we plan to keep the momentum going with a mix of familiar faces and fresh energy.

Selection criteria for participating NGOs –

1. Foundational technical capacity: NGOs must demonstrate some level of in-house technical or data capability, ideally through a dedicated resource who can anchor the AI work within the organisation. This person may not be an AI expert, but should be:
   1. Managing workflows
   2. Communicating operational requirements
   3. Collaborating with mentors and experts.
2. Commitment to building and deploying a pilot: Selected NGOs must be willing to invest one person’s 100% bandwidth over the duration of the program. It includes aligning leadership, adapting operations, and creating space to test, monitor, and refine the solution over time.
3. Preference for problems including multi-modal input, specifically Indic languages.
4. Preference for AI use cases that use LLMs

Cohort structure (Feb – June, 2026)

1. Phase 1 (1 month) Focus on process & people:
   1. We launch with a virtual meeting
   2. In the first 2 weeks, mentors and NGO participants conduct a field visit
   3. Validate NGO problem statements and finalise the use case
2. Phase 2 – Focus on tech & implementation:
   1. A 2-day in-person workshop with an introductory presentation by each participating NGO.
   2. Mentors and NGOs work together on building the solution. 
   3. A 2-day in-person concluding workshop during which NGOs present their work to their peers, funders and ecosystem partners.

Applications are open – Join Us!

We’re thrilled to open applications for AI Cohort 2.0. Please submit your application here before January 23, 2026.