Amid declining global literacy and math performance, the Atlassian Foundation has opened an application window for its 2026 grant program. The initiative supports nonprofits that collaborate to reshape education with AI, focusing on equity and scalable innovation.
- Up to $1 million funding available for two-year nonprofit partnerships
- Focus on collaborative, multi-stakeholder initiatives to transform education with AI
- Applications open through October 30, 2026, with awards announced by March 2027
What happened
The Atlassian Foundation announced an open call for proposals inviting nonprofits globally to apply for partnerships focused on evolving education in the AI era. Each partnership can secure up to $1 million in funding distributed over two years. Beyond financial aid, recipients will gain access to Atlassian’s tools, expertise, and a learning cohort designed to facilitate peer-to-peer knowledge sharing.
This initiative addresses UNESCO and OECD reports highlighting a crisis in literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills worldwide. Atlassian is targeting solutions that leverage AI to expand high-quality learning access, enhance teacher capabilities, and create stronger pathways to economic opportunities for learners currently underserved by traditional education systems.
Why it matters
Global student performance in key educational areas is nearing historic lows, with nearly one billion children lacking basic skills. AI has the potential either to deepen these inequities or to serve as a powerful tool for inclusive education transformation. Atlassian emphasizes that incremental improvements are insufficient and that only coordinated, large-scale collaboration can meet the complexity of this challenge.
By funding collective action—where NGOs, schools, governments, the private sector, and communities partner—the program aims to unlock scalable innovations. Atlassian’s two decades of expertise in team collaboration underpin its belief that better teamwork multiplies impact and accelerates progress toward equitable educational futures.
What to watch next
The call for applications closes on October 30, 2026, with notifications planned for March 31, 2027. Interested organizations should meet eligibility criteria including nonprofit status, use of Atlassian software, and participation in collaborative initiatives aligned with the foundation’s goals. Applicants are encouraged to leverage provided guides and webinars to maximize chances of success.
Monitoring the funded partnerships over the upcoming two years will provide insights on best practices for AI integration in education. The initiative’s success will be measured by its ability to strengthen learning outcomes and narrow disparities globally, potentially setting a model for future collective efforts in technology-powered education reform.