Rockefeller Cities Deliver AI Grants

Executive Summary

Cities Deliver is a $50M call from the Rockefeller Foundation and the OpenAI Foundation for AI projects built with city governments in public health, economic mobility, environmental resilience and civic engagement. Grants run $500K to $2M over 24 months. Round 1 is due November 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET.

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The deciding factor is the city partner. Every applicant must have a city partner committed to collaborate, and the project must serve vulnerable or underserved communities. This is an organizational grant, not an individual fellowship.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Funders: The Rockefeller Foundation and the OpenAI Foundation
• Opportunity: Cities Deliver: AI Solutions for Public Services, Call for Proposals
• Award Vehicle: Philanthropic grant, 24 months; 50% paid at the start and 50% after a documented mid-term milestone
• Funding: $50M total commitment. Seed track $500K to under $1M; Scale track $1M to $2M
• Technology Maturity: Seed for early concepts ready for a first city pilot; Scale for solutions already piloted in a city with early results
• Round 1 due: November 29, 2026, 11:59 PM ET (eligibility screen and short video)
• Round 2 due: March 1, 2027, 11:59 PM ET

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the November 29 deadline.

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What Is Cities Deliver?

A two-round call for proposals that funds frontier AI projects delivered with city governments. The funders aim to reach up to 100 million city residents worldwide.

What Problem Are the Funders Trying to Solve?

City services in health, benefits access, climate resilience and civic life often lag what current AI can do. The call funds teams that build and pilot AI tools with cities so residents in underserved communities get better services.

Priority Areas: What the Funders Are Looking For

• Public health: AI that improves city health services.
• Economic mobility: AI that helps residents reach benefits and economic opportunity.
• Environmental resilience: AI that helps cities prepare for and respond to climate risks.
• Civic engagement: AI for civic services. Projects related to voting or elections are excluded.

Funding and Award Terms

• Seed: $500K to under $1M, for early concepts ready for a first city pilot.
• Scale: $1M to $2M, for solutions already piloted in a city with early results.
• Term: 24 months, paid 50% up front and 50% at a documented mid-term milestone.
• Follow-on: grants do not guarantee follow-on funding.

Eligibility Requirements

• Eligible: nonprofits (including university labs and fiscally sponsored organizations) and public benefit corporations. Current grantees of the Rockefeller Foundation and RF Catalytic Capital are also eligible.
• For-profits: eligible only in limited cases, with a charitable project and no more than an incidental benefit to the company's business.
• Governments: may not apply directly; they take part as the city partner.
• City partner: required for every applicant.

How to Apply

• Submit questions to citiesdeliver@rockfound.org by October 31, 2026, 11:59 PM ET. Revised FAQs are due November 4, 2026.
• Apply through the Apply Now link at citiesdeliver.rockefellerfoundation.org. The person completing the forms must be authorized to act for the organization.
• Complete Round 1 (eligibility screen and a short video) by November 29, 2026, 11:59 PM ET.

What Happens After You Submit?

• December 2026: Round 1 notifications.
• January 2027: interviews.
• February 2027: Round 2 notifications.
• March 1, 2027, 11:59 PM ET: Round 2 proposals due.
• April 2027: final selections.

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

It fits a team with an AI product a city agency can use for residents, a city partner willing to commit, and a structure that qualifies (nonprofit, university lab or PBC). A conventional for-profit startup should read the for-profit limits closely before investing time.

How BW&CO Can Help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For philanthropic AI grants like Cities Deliver, we help you:

• Review eligibility: check your entity type and project against the eligibility rules.
• Pick the track: choose Seed or Scale.
• Frame the partnership: present the city partnership and the community benefit.
• Plan both rounds: the Round 1 video and the Round 2 proposal.
• Build the milestones: a realistic 24-month plan.

Plan Your Cities Deliver Submission

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is funding Cities Deliver?

The Rockefeller Foundation and the OpenAI Foundation, with a $50M commitment.

How much is each grant?

Seed grants are $500K to under $1M; Scale grants are $1M to $2M.

How long do grants last?

24 months, with half paid at the start and half after a documented mid-term milestone.

Can a for-profit startup apply?

Only in limited cases: the project must be charitable, with no more than an incidental benefit to the company's business. Public benefit corporations are eligible.

Do I need a city partner?

Yes. Every applicant must have a city partner with a commitment to collaborate.

Can a city apply directly?

No. Governments take part as partners.

When is Round 1 due?

November 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET. Round 1 is an eligibility screen and a short video.

Is follow-on funding guaranteed?

No.

Can BW&CO help with a Cities Deliver submission?

Yes. BW&CO helps teams check eligibility, frame the city partnership and plan the Round 1 video and Round 2 proposal. Book a call with our team.

Source: The Rockefeller Foundation: Cities Deliver: AI Solutions for Public Services