HP Launches 2026 Future of Work Accelerator to Bridge Digital Divide
The 2026 initiative is specifically designed to empower “future workers” within disconnected communities. The program focuses on three primary groups: youth, on-demand workers, and small businesses.
RMN Digital Corporate Desk
New Delhi | January 18, 2026
PALO ALTO, Calif. – In a move to bolster the next generation of the American workforce, HP Inc. and the HP Foundation have officially opened applications for the 2026 Future of Work Accelerator. Now in its fifth year, the program is returning to the United States to support organizations that expand access to technology, digital skills, and economic opportunities.
Expanded Eligibility and Funding
For the first time since the program’s inception in 2022, the Accelerator is opening applications to mission-driven for-profit organizations in addition to nonprofit entities. The program intends to select five organizations to receive a comprehensive support package valued at over $200,000. This includes:
- US$100,000 in direct funding.
- US$100,000 in HP technology and solutions.
- Six months of virtual training provided by HP and its social impact partners, MIT Solve and Global Impact Advisors.
Targeting Disconnected Communities
The 2026 initiative is specifically designed to empower “future workers” within disconnected communities. The program focuses on three primary groups: youth, on-demand workers, and small businesses. According to the sources, eligible applicants must have programs or services that have moved beyond the “idea stage” into execution, reaching an average of 25,000 people per year.
“Success for future workers depends on access to technology, skills, and economic opportunities,” stated Antonio Lucio, Chief Marketing and Corporate Affairs Officer at HP Inc. He noted that the program aims to ensure these communities are equipped to thrive as the labor market evolves.
The Growing Need for Digital Skills
The urgency of the Accelerator is underscored by current labor statistics and the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Research cited by HP indicates that 92% of U.S. jobs now require digital skills, yet many workers remain at a disadvantage. Furthermore, while AI accelerates innovation, HP’s 2025 Work Relationship Index found that nearly one in three knowledge workers lacks necessary AI training, a gap that threatens to widen the existing digital divide.
A Legacy of Impact
Since its launch, the Future of Work Accelerator has supported 35 nonprofit organizations across 13 countries, reaching an estimated 11.3 million people. This program is a key component of HP’s broader social impact strategy, which aims to reach 150 million people by 2030. As of the end of 2024, HP’s various partnerships and programs, including the HP LIFE training platform, have already reached 65 million people.
Application Details
U.S.-based organizations interested in the program must submit their applications by February 6, 2026, at 5 p.m. PT. Detailed information and application portals are available at the official HP accelerator website.
HP Inc. is a global technology leader operating in more than 180 countries, providing AI-powered devices, software, and services designed to drive professional fulfillment and business growth.
