IBM is launching a global call for the next cohort of its Impact Accelerator program. The focus is on AI applications for education and workforce development. Non-profit organizations, government agencies and academic institutions are invited to partner with IBM to develop solutions that facilitate learning, support career transitions and improve access to skilled jobs.

The gap between the skills taught and the requirements of the labor market is growing. At the same time, AI is changing numerous professions. According to a study by the IBM Institute for Business Value, 67% of managers surveyed expect shorter job profiles; 57% assume that the skills required today will be largely obsolete by 2030. According to Pearson, slow or unclear transitions from education to employment in the USA cost around 1.1 trillion dollars a year.

However, many educational institutions and labour market organizations do not have the necessary data infrastructure or personnel capacity to keep pace. Employers complain about skills gaps, learners complain about a lack of guidance. The Impact Accelerator programme aims to support organizations that are developing new ways of learning, training and entering employment.

"Education and labor market systems are under pressure to adapt faster than ever before, yet many lack the means to do so," said Justina Nixon-Saintil, vice president and chief impact officer, IBM. "With this global call, IBM is supporting organizations that are using AI to bridge the gap between learning and work in real time, while strengthening the pathways that connect education to skilled jobs."

Funding is available for projects that use AI in teaching, assessment and career guidance, such as personalized learning and guidance assistants, data platforms for communicating real job opportunities or simulation environments for educators and political decision-makers. Predicting future educational needs is also one of the possible fields of application.

Selected participants will receive a two-year technology and implementation grant with access to IBM offerings such as watsonx, Granite models, IBM Cloud, IBM Quantum and Red Hat technologies as well as support from experts in research, design and consulting. The strategic partner is EY. Non-profit organizations, government institutions and public and private universities can apply. The project work will be carried out over two years in English.

The offer phase runs until March 25, 2026. Details on the conditions of participation and application can be found in the official call for proposals of the IBM Impact Accelerator Education and Workforce Program. Questions can be directed to [email protected]

The Impact Accelerator was founded in 2022 to support social innovation projects with technology and expertise. In 2024, IBM announced that it would provide up to 45 million dollars in cash and in-kind contributions over five years. So far, 25 organizations have been supported; according to the company, their projects have reached around 2.5 million people, including in the areas of sustainable agriculture, energy, water management and urban development.