Wireless Innovation Challenge

Posted by on January 26, 2009

Vodafone Americas Foundation Launches Wireless Innovation Challenge
Deadline: February 2, 2009

The Vodafone Americas Foundation (http://vodafone-us.com/), part of the mobile telecommunications company’s global family of foundations, has launched the Wireless Innovation Challenge to promote innovation and increase implementation of advanced wireless related technology for a better world. To that end, the Wireless Innovation Challenge will provide up to $600,000 in total awards to support projects of exceptional promise using wireless-related technology to address critical social issues around the world.

The challenge is open to projects from universities and nonprofit organizations based in the United States. Projects must demonstrate a multi-disciplinary approach that uses an innovation in wireless-related technology to address a critical global issue in one or more of the following areas: access to communication, education, economic development, environment, or health. The technology should have the potential for replication and large-scale impact. Teams should have a business plan or a basic framework  for financial sustainability and rollout.

Vodafone Americas Foundation will select up to eight finalists who will present their projects before a panel of judges with expertise in the areas of wireless engineering, international development, and social entrepreneurship. Winners will be selected for awards of $100,000, $200,000, and $300,000, which will be paid in equal installments over three years.

Visit the Wireless Innovation Challenge for complete program information.

RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/15016384/vodafone

For additional RFPs in Science/Technology, visit: http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_science_technology.jhtml