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.
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.
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.
We anticipate 30-40 applicants will participate in the in-person workshop in Washington, D.C., with travel and expenses covered by our funders.
How many applicants will be invited to the in-person prototyping event?
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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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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How will grant funds be distributed?
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Grant funds will be distributed as one lump sum, expected in late 2026.
I cannot attend the informative Q&A webinar. Where can I see the replay?
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A recording will be available on the initiative’s website. Please check back after March 19th.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.