aiEDU Awards Grants to Boost Educator AI Readiness in Rural and Indigenous Communities

aiEDU (AI Education Project) has announced the seven recipients of its 2026 Community Catalyst Program grants. The initiative focuses on building Artificial Intelligence (AI) readiness within rural and Indigenous communities, which have historically been underrepresented in technology and education discussions.

The selected projects span six states: Washington, Nebraska, Texas, Illinois, Montana, and Wyoming. Each will receive grants ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 over a twelve-month period. This year's program specifically targets educator capacity building, with the seven initiatives collectively expected to impact over 1,100 educators and more than 30,000 students.

"AI readiness will be built locally before it's ever built nationally. These grantees are proof that teachers, coaches, and district leaders are doing the essential work of preparing their communities for a world transformed by AI," said Alex Kotran, CEO of aiEDU. Building on lessons from the previous year, aiEDU observed that investing in professional learning for educators yielded the most durable impact.

Alongside financial support, recipients will receive direct assistance from aiEDU, including train-the-trainer programs and strategic advising. The grantees will also form a cohort to share knowledge and collaborate throughout the grant year.