Deadline: 11-Aug-21
The U.S. Consulate General, Public Affairs Section in Chennai, is soliciting proposals from legally-recognized non-profit, non-governmental organizations that meet U.S. and Indian technical and legal requirements to implement a TechCamp that will provide a collaborative platform to solve oceanic environmental issues through participant-directed, technology-focused-workshops and robust follow-on programs.
Objectives
The objectives of the project are to equip participants with new skills, technology, and tools, and bolster good governance by fostering increased cooperation among a diverse group of Indian stakeholders, including federal, state, and local policymakers and officials, technology experts, social entrepreneurs, and environmental scientists. The TechCamp will also provide a platform for launching ongoing partnerships and funded follow-on projects during the following year that utilize the learnings of the TechCamp to innovate, design, and create scalable prototypes, products, or solutions using the latest technologies including but not limited to Information Technology, Automation, Mobile and Telecommunications, Gamification, and Artificial Intelligence to solve specific ocean health issues such as climate change, unsustainable fisheries, illegal unreported and unregulated fishing, pollution (including microplastics), and loss of marine biodiversity. This will be the first TechCamp organized in Thiruvananthapuram (aka Trivandrum), the coastal capital city in Kerala, which is also a major information technology hub in Kerala.
Project Objectives
- Bolster India’s good governance in water, ocean, and environmental issues bringing together a maximum of 60 government and municipal officials, policymakers, and technology experts alongside environmental and social entrepreneurs (including trainers) in a three-day TechCamp. Impact will be evidenced by the improvement in skills of participants, and the quality of follow-on projects conducted as a result of the camp.
- Translate and reframe 5-6 multifaceted ocean-related problems into succinct technical specifications and statements recognizable to software and technology designers, and identify ways to harness advancement in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to solve these issues during the TechCamp. Result can be measured by number and quality of targeted small-group sessions, introduction of new tools and technologies, augmentation/updating of technologies currently in use, and creating prototypes corresponding to each problem.
- Create action plans for 5-6 follow-on projects with buy-in from different stakeholders to be implemented within 3-6 months after the TechCamp. Impact will be measured by the number and quality of follow-on projects such as proposed hackathons, mini-Tech Camps, or focused follow-on training at the regional, national, and local government levels, public-private partnerships forged (including partnerships with technology companies and U.S. multinational companies), creation of networks strengthening existing connections with American institutions.
- Converge U.S. diplomatic mission with India’s past and ongoing grants, institutional and expert exchange programs, partnerships in the areas of sustainable water management, and ocean and disaster resilience with synergetic environmental health priorities. Impact will be measured by demonstrated amplification of the U.S. diplomatic mission’s messaging on environmental health priorities either through social/traditional media and introduction of TechCamp among India’s uninitiated hi-tech communities.
Project Goal
To organize a TechCamp in Thiruvananthapuram (aka Trivandrum) with the participation of a maximum of 60 multiple stakeholders (including about 10-12 U.S., international, and Indian trainers) to find technology solutions to ocean environmental issues. This project supports Mission ICS goal: Strengthen the environmental infrastructure to face climate change.
Funding Information
- Funding Mechanism Type: Cooperative Agreement
- Estimated Total Project Funding: USD 120,000
- Estimated Award Ceiling (Maximum): USD 120,000
- Estimated Award Floor (Minimum): USD 100,000
- Length of Project Period: Not to exceed 15 months
- Anticipated program start date: December 1, 2021
Eligibility Criteria
- The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Civil society/non-governmental organizations
- Think tanks
- Public and private educational institutions
- Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions
- Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=334670