About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
Participate in the IEEE Connecting the Unconnected Challenge and you can help us make a significant change in this global problem. During this challenge, we’re looking for solutions that approach the problem from one of three different perspectives:
1. Innovative Technology Applications (TA) to increase Internet access or otherwise enable connectivity.
2. Innovative Business Models (BM) that result in increased affordability for Internet access.
3. Innovative programs that increase Community Enablement (CE), or the likelihood that populations choose to start using the Internet where previously they did not. (In this last category, supply and affordability may not be a problem, but people still don’t use the internet.)
Who Can Apply
The competition is open to private sector companies, startups, non-profits, grassroots groups, university projects, students, government organizations, any other organization or any individual participants from anywhere in the world. Competitors who represent underserved communities, developing/emerging nations, and/or the Global South are highly encouraged to apply. Individual participants and team leaders must be at least 18 years old.
Award Criteria
The submissions, which can be small projects or ideas that have not yet been tested, will be assessed based on a number of technical and societal impact criteria. These will include novelty/innovation of the idea/project and relevance to the Digital Divide, as well as scalability, sustainability (from a business/deployment perspective) and readiness of the proposed solution. The submissions will also be evaluated on their potential for inclusion, impact, efficacy, and risk. More details can be found in the competition rules.
How to apply