Our Community
A Global Network of Visionary Educators and Tomorrow's Innovators
Since 2023, the Global Innovation Race has built an extraordinary international community that spans continents, cultures, and educational philosophies. Our diverse network brings together hundreds of exceptional students from around the world, united by leading educational institutions that share our commitment to preparing the next generation for an AI-driven future.
From prestigious foundations like the LG Foundation to forward-thinking departments of education such as Hawaii's Department of Education, from pioneering school districts including Los Angeles Unified to innovative private schools and independent participants worldwide, our community represents the very best in global education leadership. These partnerships don't just send students to GIR, they join a movement that's redefining how young people learn, collaborate, and innovate across borders.
When you join GIR, your students become part of something much larger than a summer program, they enter a thriving global ecosystem where breakthrough ideas are born, lifelong international friendships are forged, and tomorrow's world leaders discover their potential to create positive change. Explore the inspiring organizations and visionary educators who have made GIR their choice for transformative student experiences.
Some of our participants:
Application process:
1 - Application
Interested schools apply for their preferred cohort and number of students. Capacity is limited, with half of the spots reserved for returning participants.
2 - Acceptance
New applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with decisions typically communicated within two weeks. The number of available spots will be specified in the acceptance letter.
3 - Registration
Schools are responsible for selecting and registering students and chaperones. The required ratio is 1:5 (one chaperone for every five students).
4 - Participation & beyond
The program’s transformative impact extends beyond its duration, as returning students and educators bring GIR methodologies back to their communities.
Foundation and International Organization Partnerships
Empowering Global Talent Through Visionary Partnerships
We collaborate with world-renowned foundations and international development organizations that share our commitment to nurturing the next generation of global innovators, ensuring exceptional students worldwide can access this transformative experience.
Our distinguished partners include:
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LG Foundation's Discovery Lab - Since 2024, this prestigious program selects just 15 students annually from thousands of applicants across multiple countries, providing full sponsorship for their GIR participation
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GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) - Germany's leading development agency sponsored students from Rwanda Coding Academy, demonstrating their commitment to African tech talent development through GIR 2024
These partnerships represent more than funding, they're investments in global innovation equity. By working with foundations that believe in breaking down barriers to world-class education, we ensure that talent and potential, not economic circumstances, determine who joins our international community.
Is your foundation ready to invest in the next generation of global changemakers? Partner with us to identify and sponsor exceptional students who will return to their communities as catalysts for innovation and positive change.
Departments of Education & School Districts Partnerships
Transforming Educational Access Through Strategic Partnerships
We proudly collaborate with Departments of Education and School Districts to ensure exceptional students from all backgrounds can access this transformative global experience.
Our prestigious partnerships include:
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Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) - In 2025, we welcomed students from all 15 districts across the islands
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Los Angeles Unified School District - Since 2024, bringing diverse student voices from across the nation's second-largest district
We understand that financial barriers should never limit a student's potential. Our team actively helps partner institutions identify and explore funding sources, including grants, scholarships, and district allocations, making the Global Innovation Race accessible to talented students regardless of their economic background.
Ready to bring GIR to your district? Let's explore how we can create opportunities for your students to join this elite global community.
Private Schools Worldwide
Leading private schools from across the globe recognize GIR as the premier international experience for their most promising students. These institutions understand that truly preparing students for tomorrow's world requires exposure to diverse perspectives, cutting-edge technologies, and collaborative problem-solving on a global scale.
Our network spans continents, from prestigious preparatory academies in North America to innovative international schools in Asia, from forward-thinking institutions in Europe to pioneering schools across Africa and Latin America. These schools share a common commitment: providing their students with transformative experiences that extend far beyond traditional classroom boundaries.
Private schools choose GIR because it aligns perfectly with their educational philosophy of nurturing independent thinkers, global citizens, and future leaders. The program offers their students an unparalleled opportunity to collaborate with exceptional peers from different cultures, tackle real-world challenges with Silicon Valley mentorship, and return with expanded worldviews and enhanced leadership capabilities.
Ready to give your students a competitive edge in the global innovation economy? Join the distinguished network of private schools that have made GIR an integral part of their commitment to educational excellence.
Individual Participants
We welcome exceptional individual students from around the world whose families recognize the transformative power of global collaboration and innovation education. These independent participants join our carefully curated international cohorts, bringing their unique perspectives while learning alongside peers sponsored by prestigious foundations, districts, and schools.
Individual participation offers unmatched flexibility and personalization. Families can choose the cohort that best fits their student's schedule and interests, while ensuring their child experiences the full GIR journey: from cross-cultural teamwork and Silicon Valley mentorship to professional certificate programs and the exclusive Film Festival Finale.
Our individual participants represent the diversity that makes GIR extraordinary: homeschooled innovators, students from schools without international programs, young entrepreneurs with global ambitions, and exceptional learners whose families prioritize cutting-edge educational experiences. They return home as ambassadors of innovation, often inspiring their local communities to embrace global thinking and collaborative problem-solving.
Is your student ready to join the global innovation community? Individual applications ensure that exceptional young minds worldwide can access this life-changing experience, regardless of their school's participation status.