Frequently Asked Questions
Our nonprofit works closely with K-8 teachers in multilingual contexts, but no one on our team is comfortable building with AI. Should we apply?
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Yes! You don't need technical staff or AI experience to apply. We're specifically looking for 501(c)(3) nonprofits with deep knowledge of what multilingual students and their teachers need — and we'll help connect you with AI builders who can apply that expertise into working tools.
My organization does not currently work directly in schools — can we still apply?
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Yes. Organizations do not need to be school-based to apply. However, applicants must have experience serving teachers who work with multilingual students and must be able to pilot their tool with practicing educators in either formal school settings or outside-of-school learning environments. If you are not currently embedded in schools, you should demonstrate how you will meaningfully engage teachers to design and test your tool.
Do we have to directly serve students to be eligible under Tracks 1 and 3?
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No, you don’t need to directly serve students. If you are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works with educators of K-8 multilingual students, you are eligible and we want to hear from you.
I'm an AI builder with no specialized experience in education or nonprofits. Should I apply?
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Absolutely. We're looking for developers ready to learn from educators and apply their skills to real classroom challenges. You'll gain direct access to domain experts who understand multilingual learners, clear problem definitions to work from, and the chance to build portfolio-worthy work. Interest in collaboration and learning is a must, but classroom experience is NOT required.
I’m an AI builder with experience in multilingual education and have a specific idea I want to develop or am already developing. Which track is right for me?
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For those with experience in multilingual education and an idea for an AI-enabled tool, Tracks 1 and 3 are the appropriate options. However, these tracks require the applicant to be a 501(c)(3) organization because we cannot award grants to individuals. There is no track for solo practitioners seeking investments in their ideas or tech startups.
What skills or characteristics should the AI developer have to apply under Track 2?
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We are looking for technologists and developers experienced in creating AI tools, including prototyping, user testing, piloting, and final tool development. They do not need to be experts in education or multilingual learning. Additionally, they do not need to be based in the U.S. but they must speak English fluently to appropriately support their nonprofit partner.
How will nonprofits and AI builders be matched together?
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We'll help you build connections and support all teams throughout the process. If you already have a partner in mind, you can apply together. Otherwise, we'll review all applications and help assemble teams with complementary interests and expertise. We’ll introduce you in advance and give you a chance to indicate your top 3 potential partners; the in-person event also includes structured time for teams to connect, collaborate, and refine their ideas before moving forward.
Are you primarily looking for early stage ideas, fully-built products, or something in between?
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We are primarily interested in early-stage ideas or existing tools exploring new functionalities or use cases. Given the structure of the initiative around the in-person prototyping event, fully built products seeking additional funding are not suitable for this opportunity.
Are there any product ownership requirements for the tools developed through this initiative?
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As an initiative dedicated to improving the learning conditions and outcomes for multilingual learners, we expect grantees to commit to making the products and information generated with grant funding widely available at an affordable price, in sufficient volume, at a level of quality, and in a time frame that benefits the target population of the initiative. The specifics of this requirement will depend in part on the geography (e.g., city, state, region) of the target population, defined as K-8 multilingual-serving institutions including, but not limited to, public and private schools, school districts and school boards, charter schools, and direct instruction platforms serving multilingual learners.
Why is this initiative focused on improving educational outcomes for multilingual learners?
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1 in 10 students in U.S. K-12 classrooms speak a language at home other than English (NCES). Yet, our educational system is not set up to enable these students to thrive. They are often an afterthought when it comes to how schools operate, how classes are structured, and how tools and curricula are developed—leading to significant educational gaps. Relatedly, teachers of multilingual students receive minimal support to adequately prepare for and deliver instruction while being inundated with AI tools that are not always designed with their needs in mind. Multilingual by Design was created to support these teachers in their efforts to leverage technology in order to better serve multilingual students in K-8 math and literacy classrooms.
Can you share more about the K-8 age range?
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Multilingual by Design focuses on K-8 classrooms but you do not need to work with or focus on all K-8 classes. For example, organizations focused on PK-2 or 6-12 would be eligible.
Are you open to teacher-facing tools, student-facing tools, or both?
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This initiative was designed to support teachers so we are primarily interested in teacher-facing tools. Student-facing tools could be eligible if the team intends to use the Design Days prototyping time and grant funding to develop the teacher-facing aspect of their tool.
Does the focus have to be exclusively on literacy in Language Arts classes?
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No, tools can address literacy across the subject areas.
How many applicants will be invited to the in-person prototyping event?
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We anticipate 30-40 applicants will participate in the in-person workshop in Washington, D.C., with travel and expenses covered by our funders.
After the in-person Design Days, how many teams will receive funding?
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Select participants will be invited to submit a funding application in late summer, and we anticipate awarding grants of up to $350,000 to 3-5 teams. This funding will help selected teams develop and test their tools over a 12-month period (Fall 2026-Fall 2027).
Who from the application team should attend this event?
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Track 1 applicants (education nonprofits) can bring up to two people to the Design Days and must include their instructional lead or whoever is in charge of their instructional design or academic program. The second person can be at their discretion but should prioritize staff who work on professional learning and/or implementation. Track 2 applicants (AI builders) are limited to one participant. Track 3 applicants can bring up to two people to the Design Days and must include their instructional lead or whoever is in charge of their instructional design or academic program. The second person must be the AI builder.
What if I’m unable to attend the in-person event on June 2-4?
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Participation in the Design Days on June 2-4, 2026, in Washington D.C., is mandatory for selected applicants. As an initiative focused on supporting partnership formation and tool development, as well as building community across sectors, the in-person time during Design Days is critical. In short, we ask that you do not apply to this initiative if you're unable to attend an event in Washington, D.C. from June 2-4.
How is the grant split between the education nonprofit and AI builder?
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At the final proposal stage, the education nonprofit and its AI partner are expected to establish a partnership agreement detailing the terms of their engagement, timeline, fees, intellectual property, and any other relevant details which must be attested to and documented satisfactorily as a condition of grant disbursement.
Potential compensation options include but are not limited to the following:
The co-founder model: The nonprofit and its AI partner agree on a structure that includes shared 50-50 ownership of the tool or platform with payment after commercial scale or viability.
The blended model: The nonprofit and its AI partner agree on some level of compensation to the AI partner for their work throughout the grant period, complemented by a certain level of equity in the tool or platform.
The subcontractor model: The nonprofit engages its AI partner as a subcontractor for hired work without shared equity.
Is there a geographic focus?
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Multilingual by Design is a national initiative for U.S.-based individuals and organizations that work at the local, state, or national level. We welcome applications from all U.S. states.
Can organizations outside of the U.S. apply?
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Unfortunately, organizations and individuals outside of the U.S. are not eligible to participate.
Are 501(c)(3) public charter schools eligible to apply?
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Yes, as long as you are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, you are eligible to apply.
What is the duration of the grant?
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The duration of the grant will be 12 months starting in the fall of 2026 through the fall of 2027.
How can the grant money be used? Are there any restrictions?
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Grant funds will be used for further development of the tool included in the applicant’s final proposal to Multilingual by Design, inclusive of staff time allocations, partner compensation, meeting expenses, tool testing and piloting, research and evaluation, and/or other consultants needed. We expect administrative expenses and program overhead to not exceed 20% of total grant funding.
How will grant funds be distributed?
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Grant funds will be distributed as one lump sum, expected in late 2026.
I missed the informational Q&A webinar. Where can I see the replay?
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You can find a recording of our informational webinar here.
Please complete your application to reflect the legal entity that is applying to receive grant funds. Where possible, note the staff size and budget of your specific program or entity too if it differs significantly from the institution of which you are a part.
We are a part of a larger organization or university. Whose information goes on the application?
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Can we partner with another organization on our application?
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Partnerships between an education nonprofit and an AI builder or developer are welcome to apply under Track 3. Organizations applying under Tracks 1 and 2 are also able to apply as partnerships (for example, two MLL-serving organizations that want to pilot an idea together) as long as the primary applicant meets the eligibility criteria.
Can a group of three or more entities apply in partnership to this?
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Yes, a group of entities is able to apply to Multilingual by Design as long as the primary applicant meets the eligibility criteria.
Can an organization submit more than one application?
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Yes, organizations are allowed to apply more than once as long as they submit materially different ideas for tool development.
Are for-profit companies eligible to apply?
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For-profit companies are eligible to apply as a primary applicant under Track 2 (AI builders) and as a partner to a nonprofit under Track 3. Grant funding will only be disbursed to a 501(c)(3) organization.
How will applications be evaluated?
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From early Expressions of Interest through final proposals in late summer, applications will be reviewed against the following criteria: Proven expertise in relevant fields whether MLL pedagogy or AI-enabled tools development; Demonstrated motivation and willingness to collaborate across disciplines; Clear identification of a critical MLL learning need and a promising potential solution; Understanding of and ability to pilot the proposed tools in authentic instructional contexts; Potential for district-level adoptability and impact.
Multilingual by Design has formed an Advisory Board of experts across multilingual education and technology who will serve as reviewers.
What will happen to the information I submit as part of my application to Multilingual by Design?
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Any information submitted through this application will be reviewed by our Advisory Board and funders for the purposes of selecting grantees. That said, we’ve already heard from other foundations exploring grants to support multilingual learners. When appropriate, and if you agree, we may ask to share your information with select other funders.
Where can I find a PDF of the Expression of Interest application questions for my track?
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PDF versions of the Expression of Interest application questions for each track are linked below and include the full set of questions exactly as they appear in the application, so you can review them outside the application form.
Who is behind this initiative?
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Multilingual by Design is supported by the Multilingual Learners Funder Collaborative; funded by Gary Community Ventures, the Gates Foundation, Robertson Foundation, and Sobrato Philanthropies; and designed by Social Strategy Associates.