Technology Related

Organizations and funding opportunities that center on technology.

Apple Computer.  Primarily concerned with revitalizing learning and teaching through the effective use of its technology, Apple targets its limited giving on education programs with focus on K-12.  www.apple.com/education 

Community Connect Program.  Rural Utilities Service, U.S Agriculture Department.  Promotes the provision of broadband transmission service in rural areas.  Grants to organizations able to provide, on a "community-oriented connectivity" basis, broadband transmission service which supports economic development or delivers better educational, healthcare and public safety services.  There is an emphasis on helping very rural and/or low-income communities, and supporting applicants who will deploy broadband transmission service in communities where such services do not exist and who will connect all critical community facilities (hospitals, libraries, schools, healthcare facilities, public safety agencies.)  Very competitive; 10% of applicants funded. 

Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program.  Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service.  Designed specifically to meet the educational and health care needs of rural America.  Limited to communities of under 20,000 population.  Through loans, grants, and loan and grant combinations, advaced telecommunications technologies provide enhanced learning and health care opportunities for rural residents.  Open to applications from schools, libraries, health care providers and rural nonprofit organizations to support telecommunications, computer networks and other projects that provide educational/medical benefits to rural residents. Very competitive.    Iowa Contact:   Karla Peiffer, Rural Business-Cooperative Specialist, Rural Development  210 Walnut St, Rm 873, Des Moines, Iowa  50309.  Phone:   515-282-4665  e-mail: karla.peiffer@ia.usda.gov    Karla will help Iowa agencies prepare the grant proposal.  US web site:   www.rurdev.usda.gov   or http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome

GreenSchoolProject.  Foundation of educators that seek and secure funding to provide monetary rewards and educational resources to schools, libraries, districts, state educational departments, and government offices in need.  ALL CARTRIDGES NOW QUALIFY (expect epsons).   There are no deadlines.  To enroll: Go to the Green School website and enroll. Collecting used printer cartridges, copying machine toner cartridges, pagers, and/or cell phones. Receive check for returned cartridges.  http://www.greenschoolproject.com 1-866-We-Recyc (866-937-3292) 

Internet Connection for Health Institutions.  National Institute of Health program.   National Library of Medicine is encouraging the development of a communications infrastructure to promote the rapid interchange of medical information nationally and througout the world.   U.S. public and private, non-profit instituions engaged in health administration, education, research, and/or clinical care are eligible to apply.   Application due March 2000.  For information: Division of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, National Institute of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 208992-7910, (301) 435-0714.  email: grantsinfo@nih.gov

National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Greater Midwest Region.   Access to Electronic Health Information for the Public.   To ensure that health professionals, their patients and the general public are connected to the health information resources they need to make informed health care decisions.   Health science libraries, health information resource centers, public libraries and state library organizations which provide health information services are eligible for network membership.  Support of a single institution is available up to $10,000; for groups $40,000.  Deadline July.  For further information contact:  NN/LM Greater Midwest Region atgmr@uic.edu   (800) 338-7657 or (312) 996-2464.  http://www.nnlm.nlm.nih.gov/gmr

National Science Foundation.  Special Projects in Networking provides increased opportunities in support of research in areas of networking, emphasizing their importance in the emerging convergence of communications and computing by funding mechanisms for developing research agendas and enhancing community development.  Proposals must be received by August 15 and February 15 of each year.   Contact:  NSF Clearinghouse, (301) 947-2722, P.O. Box 218, Jessup, MD 20794-0218  email pubs@nsf.gov  http://www.interact.nsf.gov/cise/descriptions.nsf/pd/spn?openDocument

Connections to the Internet Program. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation to encourage research and education institutions and facilities to connect to the Internet and to establish high performance connections to support selected meritorious applications. There are three categories of connections: a) K-12, libraries, and museums that utilize innovative technologies for Internet access; b) higher education; c) high performance internet. Grant rounds will take place twice a year with deadline dates Jan. 31, 2000 and July 31. Typical grants are for $15,000 for a) $20,000 for b) and $350,000 for c) and last two years.   Before submitting a proposal, contact: Mark Luker or Doug Galchell (703) 306-1949, Division of Networking and Communications Research and Infrastructure, Room 1175, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230. Proposers are encouraged to submit via FastLane electronic system.
http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?nsf98102

NEC Foundation of America.  Makes cash grants to nonprofit organizations and programs with national reach and impact in areas of science and/or technology education, principally at the secondary level and application of technology to assist people with disabilities.  Proposals may be submitted at any time; those received after deadline will be held for following cycle.  Contact: NEC Foundation of America, 8 Corporate Center Drive, Melville, NY  11747.  URL: http://www.nec.com/company/foundation   

PowerUp:   Bridging the Digital Divide.  Partnership of more that a dozen nonprofit organizations, major corporations and federal agencies that have joined together to launch a major multimillion dollar initiative to give underserved youth access to technology and guidance on how to use it.  Based in schools and community centers around the country, PowerUp  provides young people with access to the wide range of content and information on the Internet and helps them develop additional skills they need to succeed.   PowerUP-Bridging the Digital Divide,  1650 Tysons Blvd Suite 610, McLean, VA 22102,  Phone: 703-442-0666, Fax:703-748-5152
contactpowerup@aol.com      http://www.powerup.org       

Progressive Technology Project.  To improve ability of groups to use technology to improve community-organizing efforts.  Funds may be used for training, technical support, consulting, planning, hardware and software.  Contact:  Progressive Technology Project, (202) 387-9660, 1436 U St. NW, Ste. 201, Washington, DC  20009.  No Iowa projects to this point.  http://www.progressivetech.org/Program/GrantMaking/coverspring.htm 

The Public Telecommunications Facilities Program (PTFP). Provides financial assistance for the expansion and improvement of public telecommunications services by providing matching grants for facilities that disseminate noncommercial educational and cultural programs to the American public. PTFP assists in the planning and construction of public telecommunications facilities in order to: extend delivery of services to as many citizens as possible by the most cost-effective means, including use of broadcast as well as nonbroadcast technologies; increase public telecommunications services and facilities available to, operated by and controlled by minorities and women; and strengthen the capability of existing public TV and radio stations to provide public telecommunications services to the public. Eligible applicants must be: public broadcast station, noncommercial telecommunications entity, public telecommunications entity, non-profit foundation, corporation, institution organized primarily for educational or cultural purposes or local government. In this program the emphasis is on equipment; in TOP (below) emphasis is on the program. Call or write Dennis Connors, (202) 482-5802, Director, PPublic Telecommunications Facilities Program, Office of Telecommunications and Information Applications, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room 4625, Washington, DC 20230.  E-mail ptfp@ntia.doc.gov   Fax (202) 482-2156

Rockefeller Technology Project. A collaborative of the Rockefeller Family that helps nonprofits integrate advanced technology into their work. Works directly with nonprofit organization and foundations. Through site visits, Internet presentations and consultations on technology integration, the Project helps nonprofit leaders understand how advance communication strategies can be integrated into their work. Contact: (215) 561-1932, 2115 Cherry St., Philadelphia, PA 19103 rstuart@rffund.org or the Rockefeller Family Fund, (212) 373-4252, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 3450, New York, NY 10104 URL http://www.rffund.org

Rural Cooperative Development Grants.  Department of Agriculture.   Grants are awarded on a competitive basis to nonprofit corporations and institutions of higher education based on specific selection criteria.  Grants are to establish and operate centers for rural cooperative development.  Contact USDA Rural Development State Office to receive further information.  URL: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/aboutrd.html

Rural Telecommunications Initiative. Established in 1985 to foster collaborative learning, leadership and innovation to advance rural community and economic development. Contact: Aspen Institute Rural Economics Policy Program, (202) 736-5800, 1333 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Suite 1070, Washington DC 20036 http://www.aspeninst.org/rural. For a guide AFunding Resources for Community Technology Projects@ contact Timothy Walter, (202)636-5834 or timothy@aspeninst.org.

Schools for a New Millennium Implementation Grants.   National Endowment for the Humanities.  Special opportunity to help teachers engage their students in substantive study of the humanities.  Not intended to support the acquisition of computer equipment by schools or colleges.  All applications should address how the proposed project will lead to better teaching and learning in the humanities.  The program accepts applications from public and private schools, school system, parent-teacher organizations, two and four-year colleges, universities, colleg and university systems, libraries, museums, educational associations, professional organizations, state and local governments, and educational and cultural consortia.    Deadline:  October 1, 2000.  Forms available http://www.neh.gov

Technology Innovation Challenge Grants. U.S. Department of Education. Provides grants to consortia that are working to improve and expand new applications of technology to strengthen school reform efforts, improve student achievement, and provide for sustained professional development of teachers, administrators and school library media personnel. Consortia must include at least one local educational agency and may also include state education agencies, colleges and universities, libraries, community centers, and local businesses and other appropriate entities. In each consortium, a participating local education agency shall submit the application on behalf of the consortium and serve as the fiscal agent for the grant. Grants range from $500,000 to $2,000,000 per year. Challenge grants are expected to be funded annually for 5 years. Yearly focus and priorities may vary. (The FY98 focus is on professional development by providing support to consortia that have developed programs, or are adapting or expanding existing programs, for technology training for teachers and other educators to improve instruction.) Applications usually are available each spring with awards in the summer. For more information, contact Elizabeth Payer or Shirley Steele (202) 208-3882, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement, 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW., Suite 522, Washington DC 20208-5544.

Technology Literacy Challenge Fund. To expand efforts to integrate technology into teaching and learning to ensure that students are prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century. State block grants that provide states the opportunity to provide school districts with funds that will help them meet their most important technology needs. Each state must submit a technology plan. State education agencies will receive formula grants designed to assist local education agencies in achieving four goals for technology in education, train teachers to help students learn using technology; provide access to computers in the classroom; connect every classroom to the information superhighway; and integrate effective software and on-line resources into schools. Coalitions with community partners is encouraged. Contact: Bill Dutton, Iowa Dept. Of Education (515) 281-3718 e-mail bdutton@ed.state.ia.us  URL:
http://www.state.ia.us/educate/grants/tlcf_2000.html

Technology Opportunities Program (TOP) formerly Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Application Program (TIIAP). Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration.   TOP promotes the widespread use and availability of advanced telecommunications and information technologies in public and non-profit sectors.   TOP promotes the development, widespread availability, and use of advanced telecommunications and information technologies to serve the public interest.  TOP supports projects that improve the quality of, and the public's access to, cultural, educational, and training resources; reduce the cost, improve the quality, and/or increase the accessibility of health care and public health services; promote responsive public safety services; improve the effectiveness and efficiency of government and public services; and foster communication, resource-sharing, and economic development within communities, both rural and urban.   Eligible organizations: non-profit entities; state, local, and tribal governments; colleges and universities.   There seems to be an emphasis on supporting projects developed by smaller, locally based groups in underserved communities.  Projects must have a real impact in the quality and accessibility of community services.   Grants provide up to 50% of the total project cost. Letters of intent are due each March-June. The grant solicitation is usually in winter and priorities may vary each year.  Contact:   Stephen Downs, Director of the Technology Opportunities Program (202) 482-2048 National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room 4092, Washington, DC 20230. Fax back information at (202) 501-5136.  E-mail  top@ntia.doc.gov or find information at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/top/grants/briefhistory_gf.htm