GenAI Math Tutoring Funding Opportunity
As part of our Learning Solutions investment area, we’re supporting GenAI math tutoring solutions built on specialized foundation models to improve accuracy, reduce costs, and expand access to high-quality, personalized learning.
Selected ventures will receive up to $300,000 in funding, along with expert technical assistance, product feedback, and evaluation support. Apply now to be part of this groundbreaking initiative!
Applications are due by April 18, 2025, at 11:59 pm PST. Applicants will receive an update on the status of their application no later than mid-May and funding decisions will be made by July 2025. Funding will be disbursed in the summer of 2025.
This opportunity is made possible with support from the Gates Foundation.
Overview
GenAI has significant potential to support student success in math, but there are barriers to its widespread usage given issues with accuracy, cost, and alignment with pedagogical best practices. There is an opportunity to catalyze innovations built on specialized foundation models that are trained and fine-tuned for math instructional use cases as a powerful lever for addressing these issues.
Targeted product development and research support can help unlock generative AI’s potential to revolutionize education by making high-quality, personalized math tutoring accessible to all students. We want to address key challenges in AI-based tutoring and leverage the promise of this emerging technology.
Details & Supports
We seek to invest in new GenAI math tutoring solutions that are:
- Aligned with NewSchools’ investment criteria.
- Creating a tutoring approach focused on 1-1 or small group math interventions aligned to core math instruction and individualized to meet diverse student needs. For example, this may include tutoring solutions that directly support students, facilitate collaborative learning between a tutor and small groups of students, or support educators or tutors directly.
- Leveraging evidence-based best practices in tutoring and math instruction, including aligning to state and district standards and providing just-in time scaffolds to help students access and succeed in grade-level material.
- Developing GenAI math tutoring solutions built on specialized foundation models that are trained and fine-tuned for math instructional use cases. This may include models such as Microsoft’s Phi-3, Google’s LearnLM, Meta’s Llama 3.2, OpenAI’s o1, Anthropic’s Claude 3, or Mistral’s Mathstral, understanding that this is a fast changing sector and perspectives on the best models might shift.
- Capable of piloting their solutions in U.S. K-12 classrooms by early 2026.
- Willing to participate in a research evaluation project with an external partner.
Eligible organizations include:
- Non-profits, for-profits, and universities.
- Teams developing a new GenAI math tutoring solution built on specialized foundation models.
- Teams with an established approach to math tutoring that are interested in exploring the benefits of specialized foundation models. These teams may be using AI for the first time or testing a new foundation model.
- Funding: Up to $300,000 per venture, disbursed across two payments
- Expert Support: Ventures will receive tailored technical assistance, product feedback, and evaluation support.
- Community: Connection with peer organizations across the country.
Curious about what it’s like to be part of our portfolio? To learn more about the support we provide and hear directly from leaders in our portfolio, watch this video.
Application Guide
Read our GenAI Funding Application Guide to see questions in advance and review helpful information as you go through the application process.
Office Hours
Connect with NewSchools team members over Zoom to address questions about the funding opportunity, grant timeline, and application process.
- Tuesday, March 18 | 10:30AM-12:00PM EST. Register here.
- Friday, April 4 | 3:00-4:30PM EST. Register here.
Contact Us
Contact us at any time by submitting a question via our inquiry form and receive a response within 3 business days.
If you’re not ready to apply, that’s okay! Join our email list to stay up to date on future funding opportunities.