adidas Foundation The Next Move Grant 2026 - Apply Online for LATAM Sport Nonprofits

Post Update: 09 September 2026

The adidas Foundation invites eligible sport-based nonprofits, community organizations, and grassroots entities in Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina to submit expressions of interest for The Next Move Grant 2026, offering multi-year general operating support funding of up to €250,000 per organization with a total funding pool of €2,000,000, and the application deadline is 4 October 2026 at 11.59 PM BRT. This initiative falls under the broader United by Sport program, launched in anticipation of the Women’s World Cup coming to Latin America, aiming to tackle gender-based violence, discrimination, exclusion, and harmful gender norms through sport and physical activity. Organizations seeking flexible financing to strengthen their community impact, safeguarding measures, and capacity building can review the eligibility criteria and submit their proposals before the final closure date.

adidas Foundation The Next Move Grant 2026 Overview

The Next Move Grant 2026 represents a major funding opportunity for organizations leveraging sport as a powerful tool for social change across Latin America. As Brazil hosts the Women’s World Cup alongside qualifying representation from Argentina and Colombia, the adidas Foundation wants to extend the tournament's positive legacy across the region. Across Latin America, gender-based violence, discrimination, exclusion, and harmful gender norms continue to limit safety, belonging, and equitable participation in sport and community life. These systemic barriers disproportionately affect girls, young women, and non-binary young people, preventing sport from reaching its full potential as an engine for inclusive communities. Through this grant, the adidas Foundation provides three years of general operating support rather than restrictive project-specific financing. This multi-year funding approach gives selected partner organizations the flexibility to address root causes of exclusion, build community trust, promote non-violent masculinities, and foster safe spaces. Interested candidates should review the official guidelines available through the official website before submitting their proposals.

adidas Foundation The Next Move Grant 2026 Benefits and Funding

The financial architecture of the grant is designed to provide substantial, reliable support over a 36-month period, ensuring that selected nonprofits can focus on long-term community transformation. The total funding pool stands at €2,000,000, distributed among selected partner organizations across the three eligible countries.

The benefits and eligible funding categories are structured to cover both direct charitable actions and underlying organizational needs:

• Sport and Community Programs: Funding supports community-based sport activities, inclusive sporting events, outreach initiatives, advocacy campaigns, peer-learning, participant transportation, venue costs, and sports equipment.
• Training and Capacity Building: Resources can be allocated to training coaches, facilitators, staff members, and community stakeholders to ensure safe and effective program delivery.
• Safeguarding and Protection: Grants help establish safeguarding policies, incident reporting systems, referral procedures, community protection measures, and accessibility initiatives.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Organizations can strengthen their impact assessment through monitoring, evaluation, accountability systems, and participant feedback processes.
• Indirect Cost Recovery: The grant includes an indirect cost recovery component equivalent to 20% of eligible direct costs to cover general management, finance, payroll, office expenses, audit, legal, and compliance costs.

adidas Foundation The Next Move Grant 2026 Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for this funding opportunity, applicants must meet specific legal, financial, and operational benchmarks established by the adidas Foundation. Meeting these criteria is mandatory for all applicants submitting an Expression of Interest.

• Legal Registration: Organizations must be legally registered as nonprofits or community entities in Brazil, Colombia, or Argentina.
• Implementation Scope: Selected entities must actively implement their activities within their specific country of registration. Single multi-country applications covering multiple nations are not permitted.
• Financial Threshold: Applicants must have an annual income of at least EUR 100,000 and no more than EUR 2.5 million in their most recently completed financial year.
• Operational Alignment: Organizations must operate within the sport ecosystem, actively working to address gender-based violence, discrimination, exclusion, and harmful gender norms.
• Target Populations: Priority is given to entities reaching populations disproportionately affected by exclusion, including Indigenous peoples, Afro-descendant communities, migrants, LGBTQI+ individuals, and people with disabilities.

adidas Foundation The Next Move Grant 2026 Important Dates and Deadline

Candidates must keep track of the critical timeline to ensure successful submission of their Expression of Interest. All deadlines are strictly enforced by the organizing foundation.

How to Apply for adidas Foundation The Next Move Grant 2026

Eligible nonprofits must submit their proposals online through the designated portal before the closing hour. Follow these step-by-step instructions to complete the application process correctly.

1. Visit the apply online portal to review the comprehensive funding guidelines and verify your organization's alignment.
2. Prepare your organizational details, financial audit figures from the most recent financial year, and a summary of your sport-for-good initiatives.
3. Access the online Expression of Interest (EOI) submission form before the deadline of 4 October 2026.
4. Complete all required fields detailing your organization's work in addressing gender-based violence, discrimination, and inclusion through sport.
5. Submit the form online and save the confirmation receipt or acknowledgement for your records.
6. Shortlisted organizations will be contacted for full application submissions, interviews, and due diligence checks later in October 2026.

Documents Required for adidas Foundation The Next Move Grant 2026

While the initial Expression of Interest requires baseline operational and financial details, shortlisted candidates must furnish comprehensive documentation during the subsequent stages. Ensure you have the following information ready:

• Proof of legal registration in Brazil, Colombia, or Argentina.
• Financial statements or audit reports confirming annual income between EUR 100,000 and EUR 2.5 million for the most recently completed financial year.
• Organizational profile highlighting past experience in sport-based social impact and gender equity.
• Detailed description of the proposed use of funding and intended community contributions.
• Safeguarding policies and monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEAL) framework documentation.

adidas Foundation The Next Move Grant 2026 Selection Process

The selection procedure is conducted in multiple structured phases to identify the most impactful organizations across Latin America.

1. Expression of Interest Submission: Organizations submit their initial EOI detailing their alignment with the program goals.
2. Screening and Shortlisting: The adidas Foundation reviews submissions based on eligibility thresholds and impact potential.
3. Full Application and Interview: Shortlisted organizations are invited to submit comprehensive proposals, detailed budgets, and participate in interviews.
4. Review and Final Selection: Independent assessments evaluate the final applicant pool to select partner organizations across the three countries.
5. Vetting and Contracting: Finalized organizations undergo due diligence and vetting before contract signing and the first disbursement expected in March 2027.

adidas Foundation The Next Move Grant 2026 Important Links

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline for The Next Move Grant 2026?

The last date to submit the Expression of Interest is 4 October 2026 at 11.59 PM BRT.

What is the funding amount offered under this grant?

Selected organizations can receive €150,000, €200,000, or €250,000 distributed over a three-year partnership period.

Who is eligible to apply for this funding?

Nonprofits and community-based sport organizations legally registered and operating in Brazil, Colombia, or Argentina with an annual income between EUR 100,000 and EUR 2.5 million are eligible.

How can I apply for The Next Move Grant 2026?

You can apply online by visiting the official website and completing the Expression of Interest form before the deadline.

Is this project-specific funding or general support?

This initiative provides flexible multi-year general operating support rather than restricted project-specific financing.

When will the grant disbursements begin?

The partnership and first grant disbursements are expected to commence around March 2027.