IEEE Tech4Good Projects Call for Proposals
Overview
IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. The IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board (HTB) inspires and empowers IEEE volunteers around the world carrying out and supporting impactful humanitarian technology activities at the local level.
The IEEE Tech4Good program offers funding opportunities to support grassroots technological projects, led by IEEE members, that address local challenges related to sustainable development.
Technology Impact Categories
HTB recognizes that there is a broad range of challenges in the local communities where IEEE members live worldwide. The starting point for a project should always be the needs of the community as evidenced through dialogue with local community organizations and leaders. Projects must focus on people first, rather than starting with a particular technology that needs to find a use. Applicants will select one of the following Technology Impact Categories related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Agricultural Technology (SDG 2: Zero Hunger)
- Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) Technology (SDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitation)
- Clean Energy and Sustainable Power (SDG 7: Affordable & Clean Energy)
- Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Digital Connectivity (SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)
If a project does not fit into one of these categories, there is an “other” option; however, applications in these specified areas will be strongly prioritized.
Funding Specifications
Amount of Funding
Project grants will be between US$1,000 and US$10,000 per project.
Term of Funding
Project implementation plans may be up to six months following the project start date.
Proposal “Do’s”
- Clearly articulate how the project addresses a sustainable development challenge in your local community.
- Focus on the implementation of appropriate, IEEE-relevant technology.
- Demonstrate a connection with your local IEEE organizational unit(s) (OUs) and engage a significant number of IEEE members currently living in the country where the project takes place.
- Ensure your team has the relevant expertise to execute the project.
- Actively involve the local community in determining what is needed and how the project will be designed and executed.
- Include a thorough sustainability plan that includes educational efforts to ensure that local communities can manage the deployed solution after the six months term of funding.
- Clearly articulate the impact of the project and how it will be measured.
Proposal “Don’ts”
- Proposals that are primarily research or commercial in nature.
- Proposals that are solely focused on STEM education. No direct correlation to a challenge faced by a specific community, or the community is not actively involved.
- No deployment, customization, and/or development of technology.
- Proposals without a clear plan for impact measurement.
- Proposals that solely deal with immediate disaster relief. All projects related to disaster preparedness or recovery should focus on medium- and longer-term needs.
- Proposals focused on developing medical devices or medical device prototypes.
For inspiration, the HTB website includes funded project case studies and the most recent Success Story Portfolio as well as the three short presentations you can find below. Prospective project teams are encouraged to get in touch with funded project teams and explore opportunities for replication and/or scaling of successful activities.
Cahaya Budi Luhur, IEEE Indonesia Section
Eligibility to Apply
- Each team may submit only one proposal.
- The primary applicant must be an IEEE Professional member or higher in good standing. Student members may be secondary applicants.
- Project teams that received HTB or SIGHT funding for a project in the past may apply if the project has been completed and all reporting requirements fulfilled.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be reviewed based on the following criteria:
- Benefits to the local community are well articulated and show clear impact metric targets.
- Project scope is defined and meets technological and sustainable development requirements.
- Team composition demonstrates the strength of team and members’ technical capacity.
- Potential risks have been assessed and the team has prepared a feasible mitigation plan.
- Involvement of local organizations and stakeholders ensures the long-term sustainability of the technological intervention.
- Clear potential for social and environmental impact with attainable success metrics.
- Alignment with IEEE’s mission of advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.
Timeframe to Use Funds, Assessment, & Reporting
- Funds must be spent within six (6) months from the approved project start date.
- A brief progress report must be submitted every month after the project’s approved start date.
- A final report with an accounting of expenses and impact assessment information demonstrating the successful deployment of the solution must be submitted within 60 days of the project’s completion.
Submission Deadline
- Applications may be submitted using the Online Funding Opportunities Portal starting 29 February 2024 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage applicants to submit their proposals as soon as they can.
- Final deadline to submit: 31 March 2024.
Call for Proposals
Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the entire Call for Proposals for more detailed information including budget considerations, legal and compliance requirements, and the Tech4Good Project Assessment Guide.
Applicants are also encouraged to review the application prior to beginning their submission. Please keep in mind that only applications submitted through the Online Funding Opportunities Portal will be evaluated.
All About Tech4Good
Interested applicants are encouraged to watch this informational and educational session on the Tech4Good program with the 2024 Proposal Evaluation Subcommittee Chair, Ms. Pia Torres.
Ms. Torres covers the context for the program within IEEE Humanitarian Technologies, characteristics of a strong proposal, and what changes to the 2024 call for proposals applicants should keep in mind as they craft their application.
Contact Information
Do you have any questions about the suitability of your proposal or the application platform? If so, please write to tech4good@ieee.org before writing and submitting your proposal.