The WIN Challenge
The WIN Challenge funds innovative research and solutions to advance gender equity and inclusion in U.S. workplaces, focusing on culture, AI, and narrative change.
Funder: Aspen Institute
Due Dates: December 11, 2025: Registration deadline (5:00 PM ET) | January 27, 2026: Full application — WIN Culture & Practices Challenge (5:00 PM ET) | January 28, 2026: Full application — WIN AI Challenge (5:00 PM ET) | January 29, 2026: Full application — WIN Narrative Challenge (5:00 PM ET)
Funding Amounts: Up to 8 awards per pillar; $2.5M or $5M each; $20M per pillar; $60M total; project period up to 3 years.
Summary: Supports transformative, scalable solutions that help women thrive and foster more equitable, inclusive, and supportive workplaces in the U.S.
Key Information: Registration by December 11, 2025 is required for all pillars; lead applicant must be a U.S.-based nonprofit or have a U.S. fiscal sponsor.
Description
The Workplace Innovation Now (WIN) Challenge is a national grant competition led by Aspen Digital, a program of the Aspen Institute, and supported by Pivotal (founded by Melinda French Gates). The initiative aims to catalyze systemic change in workplace environments by funding innovative, evidence-based solutions that enable women to thrive and that foster more inclusive, supportive, and equitable workplaces for all.
The WIN Challenge is structured around three pillars:
- Culture & Practices: Supports approaches to overcome key barriers women face at work and improve workplace standards and norms.
- AI: Funds bold, scalable solutions addressing AI’s impact in the workplace, including skill-building, bias mitigation, and AI-powered supports for women.
- Narrative: Seeks to shift workplace narratives and norms, amplifying diverse and positive stories of women’s leadership and achievement.
Each pillar will award up to 8 grants of either $2.5 million or $5 million, for a total of up to $20 million per pillar and $60 million overall. Projects may be up to three years in duration.
