Category Archives: Technology

Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers Grant

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers is the independent steward of the internet’s unique identifier systems, including domain names, Internet Protocol addresses, autonomous system numbers, and port numbers.

In their inaugural grant year, ICANN is offering awards of $50,000 – $500,000 for up to 24 months to organizations around the globe. Applications are due by May 24, 2024 at 20:00 UTC.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
Nonprofit organizations outside the U.S. who can provide documentation of their country’s equivalent of a 501(c)3

Funding Themes

The Internet’s Unique Identifier Systems

Acitivities under this theme include:

Supporting the development of standards for the Internet’s unique identifier systems
Strengthening the security and stability of the Internet’s unique identifier systems
Promoting innovative projects that expand the use of the Internet’s unique identifier systems
Improving the performance of the Internet’s unique identifier systems
Supporting long-term usability and sustainability of the Domain Name System
Enhancing Universal Acceptance to ensure truly multilingual and digitally inclusive systems

A Unified Internet

Acitivities under this theme include:

Advancing work related to open access to the Internet
Enhancing Internet interoperability to eliminate the exclusion of certain communities from the global Domain Name System
Enhancing the resiliency and sustainability of the Internet at the local, national, or global level

All applications should also take into consideration:

Diversity, participation, and inclusion of underserved populations
Impact and outcomes that can be sustained through capacity development

Review Criteria

All applications will be reviewed based on:

Innovation and Relevance
Effectiveness
Implementation and Feasibility
Competency and Expertise of Project Team
Community Value and Impact

Scores for each criterion will be on a 0-4 point scale.

4 = Outstanding
3 = Good
2 = Adequate
1 = Not Good
0 = Missing

A score of 1 or 0 on any criterion automatically disqualifies an application.

Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation

The Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation program supports alliances of 4 or more institutions of higher education working to increase the number of underrepresented people in STEM.

Seven project types are supported under this program; eligibility, maximum request amount, and grant term varies by type. Applications for Bridge to STEM Graduate Degrees in National Priorities (BD-Master’s) and STEM Networking Incentives and Engagement (NETWORKS) are due by June 24, 2024 at 5:00 PM local time. All other applications are due by November 15, 2024 at 5:00 PM local time.

Program Priorities

The main priorities of the LSAMP program are to:

Increase enrollment and completion of baccalaureate degrees for Blacks, Hispanics, Latinx, Native Americans, Native Alaskans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
Enable the above populations to successfully transition from two-year to four-year institutions in STEM degree programs
Increase use of evidence-based, high quality, and highly impactful practices in STEM recruitment and retention
Facilitate the smooth transition of underrepresented groups into STEM graduate programs and degree completion
Foster new research and learning on broadening participation in STEM disciplines

Grant Types

Alliance Development Grants

This grant is open to accredited two and four year institutions of higher education in the United States to develop alliances. The ultimate goal is for the alliance to pursue a Bridge-to-the-Baccalaureate or STEM Pathways Implementation-Only program. NSF expects to award up to 10 grants of up to $125,000 for 18 months.

Bridge-to-the-Baccalaureate (B2B)

This grant is open to accredited two year institutions of higher education in the United States who award STEM associates degrees. B2B alliances assist underrepresented populations with transitioning into 4 year baccalaureate STEM degrees. NSF expects to award up to 10 grants of up to $125,000 for 18 months.

STEM Pathways Implementation-Only (SPIO)

This grant is open to accredited two and four year institutions of higher education in the United States. SPIO alliances are intended for new or reestablished groups to increase the number of underrepresented individuals in STEM undergraduate programs and help them transition into graduate school. NSF expects to award up to 10 grants of up to $5 million for 60 months.

STEM Pathways Research Alliances (SPRA)

This grant is open to accredited two and four year institutions of higher education in the United States. SPRA are intended for well established alliances to conduct activities similar to SPIO alliances as well as producing and distributing research on increasing participation in STEM programs and careers and assessing the sustainability of the alliance. NSF expects to award up to 6 grants of up to $4 million for 60 months.

Bridge to STEM Graduate Degrees in National Priorities (BD-Master’s)

This grant is open to Master’s Comprehensive institutions of higher education as defined by the Carnegie Classification. BD-Master’s programs support cohorts of 6 Masters of Science degree students with stipends and tutition assistance. NSF expects to award up to 8 grants of up to $597,000 for 36 months.

Bridge to STEM Graduate Degrees in National Priorities (BD-Doctoral)

This grant is open to accredited four year institutions of higher education in the United States. BD-Doctoral programs support cohorts of 12 STEM PhD students with stipends and tutition assistance. NSF expects to award up to 8 grants of up to $1,173,000 for 36 months.

STEM Networking Incentives and Engagement (NETWORKS)

Photo by Anna Tarazevich: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-wearing-face-shield-doing-experiment-8392814/

NETWORKS incentivizes underrepresented populations to participate in STEM networks. NSF expects to award up to 10 grants of up to $600,000 for 36 months. This grant is open to:

Accredited two and four year institutions of higher education in the United States
Nonprofit, non academic organizations engaged in educational or research activities
For-profit businesses

USDA Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants

Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture support projects that connect rural communitities to each other and the world using telecommunications technology.

Applications for $50,000 – $1 million over 3 years are due by April 29, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET. There is a required 15% match of non-federal funds.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

Nonprofit organizations
For profit businesses
State and local governments
Federally recognized Native American tribes
Consorita of eligible applicants

Applicants must operate in an area with a population of 20,000 or fewer.

Eligible Grant Purposes

Applicants may request grant funding for the purpose of:

Acquiring and installing, by lease or purchase, eligible equipment
Purchases of extended warranties, site licenses, and maintenance contracts
Acquiring or developing instructional programming that is a capital asset
Providing technical assistance and instruction for using eligible equipment (up to 10% of grant funding)
Purchasing and installing broadband facilities (up to 20% of grant funding)

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be used for:

Computer hardware, software, and network components
Audio and video equipment
Cyber security software
Training simulators
Video conferencing platform licenses
Instructional programming

Scoring Criteria

All applications will be scored based on:

Rurality (40 points) – Census population data
Economic Need (30 points) – Poverty data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates Program
Special Considerations (10 points) – Considerations may include Tribal lands, Distressed communities, Socially vulnerable communities
Need for Services and Project Benefits (30 points) – How will the grant meet the communities needs and what benefits will it provide?

U.S. AID: Digital Invest

The U.S. Agency for International Development has issued a Call for Concept Notes for the Digital Invest program. This program was launched to catalyze investment in internet service and digital finance.

USAID expects to build four public-private partnerships with up to $500,000 in grant funding plus an equal or greater amount of private sector resources. Concept Notes are due by April 15, 2024.

Eligibility

This funding opportunity is open to:

U.S. and non-U.S. nonprofit organizations
U.S. and non-U.S. for-profit businesses
U.S. and non-U.S. colleges and universities

Objectives

Objective 1

Support the sustainable growth and expansion of competitive internet service providers (ISPs) and related telecommunications infrastructure companies in emerging markets. Potential partners include:

ISPs
Network infrastructure & equipment providers
Financing partners

Objective 2

Support the sustainable growth and expansion of competitive and inclusive digital financial services in emerging markets. Potential partners include:

Financing partners
Service providers for the digital finance sector

Submission Process

Step One

Applicants must first send an email to digitalinvest@usaid.gov and copy pscp@usaid.gov. They are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. This email should include:

A 100 word essay summarizing the proposed partnership
A description of their business or organization
What they hope to achieve through this partnership
Why they’re interested in working with USAID on this project.

After review, the Digital Invest team may reach out to schedule an initial phone call.

Step Two

After the introductory call, the team will work with some applicants to discuss the potential partnership and refine the concept. From these discussions, they will invite certain applicants to submit a concept note. Only those who have already connected with and been invited by the team will be accepted.

Step Three

Concept notes must be submitted in the provided template by April 15, 2024.

Rural Technology Education Grant

The Rural Technology Fund is bridging the digital divide between rural and suburban/urban schools in the United States through their Rural Technology Education Grant. They hope to spark interest in technology careers like computer engineering, programming, and robotics.

Applications are accepted on a continual basis and reviewed every 30-60 days. The average grant is $500 – $2,500, but larger requests will be considered for projects that will impact a greater number of students.

Eligibility

This grant is open to public schools and 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations in the U.S.

Topic Areas

Potential topic areas for tech grants include:

Coding/Programming
Computer Science
Computer Engineering
Design
Digital Art
Engineering
Information Technology
Robotics

Echo360 e3 Tech Grants

Echo360 e3 Tech Grants support educators and researchers in the U.S. as they advance equity, engagement, and evidence through the use of Echo360 products. EchoImpact Grants are available for applicants who are already using Echo360 and EchoInnovation Grants will provide Echo360 software to grantees. Grants specifically for Historically Black Colleges and Universities are also available under both categories.

Applications for all grants are due by March 22, 2024. Funding or software provided varies by grant category.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

K-12 schools
Colleges and universities
Nonprofit organizations
For-profit businesses

Grant Categories

EchoImpact

Standard

Recipients of the EchoImpact Grant will receive up to $2,000, as well as paid travel and accommodations to attend a 2 day workshop with their peers.

HBCUs

To address the systemic underfunding of schools for people of color, HBCUs will receive up to $4,000, as well as paid travel and accommodations to attend a 2 day workshop with their peers.

EchoInnovation

Standard

Recipients of the EchoInnovation Grant will receive up to $5,000 worth of Echo360 software.

HBCUs

HBCU recipients of the EchoInnovation Grant will receive up to $5,000 worth of Echo360 software.

Bloomberg Philanthropies Digital Accelerator for Arts & Culture

The Bloomberg Philanthropies Digital Accelerator for Arts & Culture funds the development and expansion of digital infrastructure for nonprofit cultural organizations in the United States and United Kingdom.

Applications for up to $200,000/£150,000 over 2 years are due by March 13, 2024. Truly innovative projects with the potential to have a wide cultural impact may be considered for larger amounts. All grantees will receive technical assistance and leadership development. No matching funds are required.

Eligibility

Applicant

This grant is open to organizations in the U.S. and U.K. who:

Are nonprofit cultural organizations
Have been in existence for at least 3 years
Had a budget of at least $500,000/£500,000 in FY2023

Project

Grant funds may be used for:

Content creation and distribution
CRM/Ticketing (including donor management/fundraising systems)
Digital archives/Digital asset management
Website upgrades/Redevelopment

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be spent on:

Hardware
Software
Vendors and suppliers
Staff time
Training

Additional Benefits

In addition to financial support, all grantees will have access to:

An advisor from Arts Council England or the Lapine Group who will provide technical planning and project management assistance.
A network of over 140 organizations who are already in the program.
A Bloomberg Tech Fellowship. Each organization will designate a Fellow to serve as the project lead and work one-on-one with their advisor.

Funding Wireless Innovation to Enhance American Communities

CTIA Wireless Foundation is promoting social progress driven by innovative wireless technology with the Funding Wireless Innovation to Enhance American Communities program.

Six for-profit or nonprofit social entrepreneurs in the United States or its territories will receive unrestricted grant funding, as well as non-financial awards. Applications for Phase 1 are due by March 5, 2024 11:59 PM ET. Invitations will be issued post-review to proceed to Phases 2 and 3.

Eligibility

Applicant

This funding opportunity is open to social entrepreneurs registered in the United States or its territories. Applicants may be registered as a:

Nonprofit organization
For-profit business
B Corporation

All award recipients will be expected to attend some in-person events.

Project

Submitted projects should be mobile-first solutions to challenges faced by American communities, especially marginalized communities. The product should run on 5G and cutting edge wireless technology and already have a proof of concept.

Awards

Financial Awards

1st Place – $100,000
2nd Place – $50,000
3rd Place – $25,000
3 Honorable Mentions – $10,000 each

Non-Financial Awards

The 3 winners will all receive:

A 2 minute, professionally produced video about their social enterprise
Opportunities to speak to and share their work with wireless industry leaders, policymakers, and elected officials

The winners and honorable mentions will receive:

A profile on the CTIA Wireless Foundation website
Features in CTIA Member newsletters and social media profiles
Financial assistance to attend Catalyst events
Pitch coaching
Networking with CTIA Wireless Foundation board members
The opportunity to join the Catalyst alumni network