Funding-Vodafone Americas Foundation Launches Wireless Innovation Challenge; deadline Feb. 2, 2009

Deadline: February 2, 2009

Description: The Vodafone Americas Foundation, 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:

http://challenge.vodafone-us.com/innovAbout.html