AI Glasses Impact Grants: Catalyst Grants is sponsored by Meta Reality Labs. These grants are for US-based organizations proposing new, innovative applications using the Meta Wearables Device Access Toolkit. This could be highly relevant for developing novel optometry AI solutions utilizing wearable technology.

AI Glasses Impact Grants: FAQs | Meta | Meta Store AI Glasses Impact Grants: FAQs What are the U.S. AI Glasses Impact Grants? The U.S. AI Glasses Impact Grants support innovators using AI glasses to empower communities, boost economic growth, and expand opportunities across the U.S. Meta is committed to building and investing in this ecosystem, and these grants are designed to empower and support the community.

Whether you’re a two-person start-up organizing beach clean ups or a multi-state business using AI glasses to support accessibility, we want to hear how you’re making an impact. January 21 2026: Applications open March 9 2026: Applications close May 31 2026: Deadline for all applicants to be notified as to the success of their application. How will grant winners be chosen?

All applicants will complete an application form with our partner Submittable. All grant awards will go through multiple review stages, scored by multiple teams of Meta employees. Recipients will then go through Meta’s internal vetting process to ensure they comply with eligibility ahead of award.

How much money is being awarded? Nearly $2 million in funding will be awarded to more than 30 organizations and developers during H1 2026. We will award 15 Accelerator grants of $25,000, 10 Accelerator grants of $50,000 and 5 Catalyst grants of $200,000.

Eligible organizations are: A for profit or non-profit organization located and incorporated in the United States. Incorporated for over 12 months and in good standing with the laws of the United States. Please note, State, Local, or Federal governmental entities are not eligible.

We welcome applications from organizations of all sizes and industries. While priority areas include skills and employment, health, economic growth, community, accessibility, and support for veterans, we’re open to innovative ideas from any sector. I’m an individual, am I eligible?

Only organizations that fulfill the above criteria are eligible. Can we apply in partnership? Yes, we welcome applications from organizations working in partnership.

You must apply through a lead organization that fulfills all of the above eligibility criteria. I’m an organization based outside of the U.S., but we operate there. Are we eligible?

Only organizations registered and based in the U.S. are eligible for these grants. There are two types of grants: Accelerator Grants : For organizations already leveraging AI Glasses to scale their impact in areas including (but not limited to) economic success, education, health, community, accessibility, and support for veterans.

We’re looking for a demonstration and evidence of your active use of Meta’s AI glasses to drive societal or economic impact, and a clear plan for how additional funding and AI wearable technology will help scale your impact. We will award 15 Accelerator grants of $25,000 and 10 of $50,000 to selected organizations.

Catalyst Grants : For developers and organizations proposing new, high-impact integrations using Meta’s Wearable Developer Access Toolkit, with a focus on building apps that deliver social or economic value. We will award 5 Catalyst grants of $200,000 to selected organizations. We haven’t used the AI capabilities of the glasses, we just use content capture - can we apply?

Yes. We’re looking to hear from organizations that use our AI glasses in all different ways. How do we know whether to apply for a $25,000 or a $50,000 grant?

Please choose the grant amount that fits the scale of your project. As part of the application form, we’ll ask you to submit a budget which outlines specifically how you’ll spend the money and the expected impact as a result of the award. Please note that we reserve the right to award a different amount than you have applied for, which will be communicated to you.

What are you looking for from a winning Catalyst grant application? Alongside our eligibility criteria, we’re looking for a developer or organization that can evidence: An existing mobile app with an established consumer audience (evidencing a pathway to scale) Domain expertise in its field, preferably a country leading authority on the problem it is looking to solve.

Please note that we welcome partnership applications, for instance a developer with technical expertise partnered with a nonprofit with domain expertise. A developer team with the technical skills needed to build a wearables integration using Meta’s Developer Access Toolkit. Please ensure you’ve reviewed the documentation here .

The winning integrations will showcase: Social and economic value : Solves a real social or economic value problem with a plausible path to adoption or pilot. Originality and innovation : A clear “why wearables” benefit that unlocks hands‑free, in‑the‑moment value. Critical timing : How development of this integration will push forward the organization or cause applying.

User experience and trust : Demonstrates at application stage that privacy, data controls, and user experience have been considered as part of design. Adheres to the Meta Wearables Developer Acceptable Use Policy . What support will Meta be offering Catalyst Grant winners alongside the monetary award?

Catalyst Grant winners will receive dedicated developer relations support from Meta’s content and partner engineering team. Catalyst Grant winners will have a bi-weekly check-in calls with Meta’s team to ask questions, receive guidance around how they are designing their integrations, and troubleshoot any issues.

They will receive additional support from a dedicated group space for each partner where they can send asynchronous questions to Meta’s team for support. Where can I find out more about Meta’s Device Access Toolkit? Is the in-lens display technology and the smart EMG wristband in scope for this work?

No. This is not currently available on the Wearables Device Access Toolkit. The Wearables Device Access Toolkit lets your mobile app integrate with supported AI glasses (Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1 and Gen 2) and Oakley Meta HSTN glasses). An integration establishes a session with the device so your app can access supported sensors on the user’s glasses.

Users start a session from your app, and then interact through their glasses. They can: Speak to your app through the device’s microphones Send video or photos from the device’s camera Pause, resume, or stop the session by tapping the glasses, taking them off, or closing the hinges Play audio to the user through the device’s speakers I have an enterprise integration idea.

Does Meta offer a Mobile Device Management system (MDM) for wearable devices? Our AI glasses are currently consumer devices and do not offer MDM support. I have a health integration idea.

Are Meta AI glasses classified as medical devices with the FDA? No. Meta AI glasses are consumer electronics. What is the Wearables Innovation Community?

Grant recipients and selected applicants will be invited to join the Meta Wearables Community, a network of innovators, researchers, and developers designed to drive innovation and impact with our wearable technology. If you have further questions, please reach out to glassesimpactgrants@meta. com