Epicenter Foundation launches latest AI cohort

Small publishers, independent newsrooms, and innovators of civic tools and information products are encouraged to apply for the Epicenter Civics AI Cohort — a collaborative program designed for those eager to deepen their expertise and share insights on the applications of generative AI.

This initiative aims to create a community of practice where participants can experiment with AI, exchange strategies, and advance practical uses and integrations  that strengthen local information ecosystems and better serve their audiences.

What We’re Offering
We’re providing funding, support, and a collaborative space for small publishers and civic innovators participating in the cohort.  Selected participants will receive: 

• Grants of $10,000–$20,000 to support your project and participation.
• Membership in a peer learning cohort of publishers and civic innovators testing and refining AI use cases.
• Opportunities to teach and showcase what you’ve learned to peers and the broader sector.
• Workshops and convenings with technologists, journalists, and community partners.

What We’re Looking For
We’re seeking creative, mission-driven proposals from small publishers and civic innovators who regularly use some form of generative AI as a tool to expand audience engagement, improve operations, or strengthen community information needs. We welcome applicants who: 

• Publish news or community content at the local or niche level.
• Build civic tools and information products for underserved audiences.
• Can articulate a project that blends curiosity, experimentation, and practical application.
• Value collaboration and are willing to both share openly and learn from others.

The cohort focuses on producing practical insights, tools, and models that can benefit both participants and the broader local information ecosystem.

• Create a learning cohort that brings together small publishers, newsrooms, and civic tool innovators to explore and experiment with generative AI in service of strengthening local information ecosystems.
• Foster peer-to-peer exchange by supporting participants to share lessons, challenges, and emerging best practices that advance audience engagement, improve operations, and address community information needs.
• Develop practical tools and frameworks that can be adopted by cohort members and the broader sector to guide responsible and effective AI use.
• Build sector-wide capacity by showcasing cohort learnings through workshops, convenings, and public knowledge-sharing opportunities.
• Ensure sustainability by embedding collaborative practices and resources that extend beyond the grant period and support ongoing innovation.

While we highlight some example topics below, proposals are not limited to these areas. We encourage applicants to think creatively about how generative AI can be used to address pressing information needs, experiment with new approaches, and contribute to the broader learning of the cohort.
Proposals may explore (and are not limited to):

• Testing AI in workflows — such as reporting, translation, distribution, or editing.
• Designing and/or integrating AI-powered tools that improve civic participation or expand access to information.
• Developing ethical frameworks or practical guides tailored for small publishers and civic innovators (nonprofits included).
• Rethinking audience engagement and sustainability through innovative AI applications.

Grants of $10,000–$20,000 will be awarded to support each selected project and active participation in the AI Cohort.

This scope of work runs from fall of 2025 to summer of 2026, which includes six months of project implementation and engagement, and two months for cohort convenings and presentations.

We define “publisher” broadly and welcome applications from a range of organizations and innovators working to strengthen community information ecosystems. Eligible applicants may include:

• Independent digital and print publishers serving local, niche, or underrepresented audiences.
• Producers of newsletters, video, podcasts, and other community media experimenting with new formats to reach and engage audiences.
• Civic tech innovators and builders of community information tools designed to meet public information needs.
• U.S. based nonprofits, startups, and community organizations exploring new models for media, storytelling, or information-sharing.

We encourage proposals that blend curiosity, experimentation, and practical application of generative AI, and that demonstrate a commitment to collaboration and knowledge-sharing with the cohort.

Selected participants will take part in a collaborative program designed to foster experimentation, peer learning, and shared impact; an initial six months are dedicated to the cohort, with the remaining time for sharing best practices and amplification of each other’s work. Participation is intended to be both supportive and flexible, ensuring that organizations of all sizes can engage meaningfully while contributing to the cohort’s collective knowledge. Participants will:

1. Join monthly virtual meetings to exchange learnings, share challenges, and receive peer feedback.
2. Attend occasional in-person gatherings in New York City (with travel support available as needed) to build deeper connections with fellow participants and cohort advisors.
3. Communicate regularly in an established messaging channel (e.g., Slack) to share progress, ask questions, and collaborate.
4. Provide regular progress updates to track activities and milestones throughout the program period.
5. Submit a final report summarizing outcomes, key learnings, and recommendations that will be made shareable with the broader field.
6. Deliver a final presentation at the cohort wrap-up event.

To ensure this initiative is both impactful and measurable, participants will be asked to track and report on key activities throughout the cohort period. Metrics will include and is not limited to:

• Content Production: Publish a set number of news stories, newsletters, podcast episodes, short-form video or other community content pieces each quarter that align with the proposed project goals. (For example: 2–3 pieces per quarter showcasing experimentation with AI tools or workflows.)
• Cohort Engagement: Participate in the majority of monthly virtual meetings (aiming for at least 75–80% attendance) and attend any scheduled in-person convenings.
• Knowledge Sharing: Contribute to cohort learning by presenting progress or lessons learned at least once and regularly in established messaging channels during the program period.
• Final Report: Submit a brief written report at the end of the grant period summarizing key outcomes, successes, challenges, and recommendations for the broader field.

Applicant Information Session & Q&A
We invite all interested organizations to join our info session on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, at noon ET /9 a.m. PT (time subject to change), where we’ll share more about the AI Cohort, walk through the application process, and answer your questions. This session is designed to help applicants understand the program’s goals, eligibility, and expectations — and to inspire strong, well-aligned proposals. Attendance is encouraged but not required to apply. Please sign up here or ping us at hello@epicenter-nyc.com with subject line “RSVP for Epicenter AI Cohort” and we can send you the session link.

RFP Inquiries, Written Questions, and Answers
Questions and requests for clarification about this opportunity must be submitted via email to hello@epicenter-nyc.com with the subject line “Questions for Open Call – Epicenter Civics AI Cohort.”

We plan to compile frequently asked questions into a document and update them regularly throughout the submission period.

Submission Instructions
The deadline for submission is Oct. 15, 2025 by 11:59 p.m. PT. Proposals must be submitted via the online application form accessible here.

For applicant convenience, a reference document listing all application questions is available here. We encourage applicants to review this document in advance and prepare responses prior to beginning the online form.

Applicants should follow all application instructions provided here to ensure a complete submission. It is the responsibility of the submitting organization to ensure that the application is submitted by the deadline.

If you experience any technical issues with the form or have difficulty submitting your application, please contact hello@epicenter-nyc.com for assistance before the deadline.

Upon successful submission, applicants will receive an automatic confirmation email. If you do not receive confirmation within 24 hours, please contact hello@epicenter-nyc.com to verify receipt.