Applications Open for AI Cohort Program 3.0

We recently wrapped up AI Cohort 2.0, and are excited to launch AI Cohort Program 3.0—a hands-on implementation program that supports NGOs in designing, building, and deploying responsible AI solutions to strengthen their programs and scale their impact.

Through the past cohort, we worked closely with 7 NGOs across education, civic engagement, youth development, and nonprofit technology. Together, they built and piloted AI applications ranging from AI-powered teaching assistants and volunteer coaches to mentoring tools and decision-support systems. Along the way, the cohort demonstrated that successful AI adoption isn’t just about technology—it’s about deeply understanding user needs, testing rapidly, measuring impact, and building responsibly.

Taking these learnings forward, AI Cohort 3.0 is designed for organisations that are ready to move beyond AI exploration and build solutions that can be deployed in real-world settings.

Who should apply?

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

While applications are open to nonprofits across sectors, priority will be given to climate-focused organisations with AI use cases that have the potential to improve programme delivery, decision-making, or community outcomes.

Tentative Cohort Structure (Mid Sep’26 – Jan/Feb’27) (Subject to change)

The cohort is tentatively structured as a six-month journey, supporting NGOs from identifying a high-impact AI use case to building and piloting a solution within their programs.

• Discovery Sprint (Months 1–2): Problem discovery, use-case prioritisation, data readiness assessment, user research, and solution design.
• Build Sprint (Months 2–5): Prototype development, implementation sprints, user testing, mentorship, and responsible AI evaluations.
• Activation Sprint (Month 6): Pilot deployment, impact assessment, operationalisation planning, and a final showcase with peers and ecosystem partners.

Applications are now open!

If your organisation is ready to build practical, responsible AI solutions that can improve service delivery and create greater social impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now to AI Cohort Program 3.0 and join a growing community of nonprofits using AI to solve real-world challenges.

Apply here before 10th August: https://forms.gle/gQWVGW8K2EvGBmRt6