Deadline: 31-May-23
The Internet Society Foundation is accepting applications for the Strengthening Communities/Improving Lives and Livelihoods (SCILLS) Grant Program that aims to contribute to economic inclusion and increase educational opportunities by supporting individuals and communities to more knowledgeably and skillfully use the Internet.
The long-term aim of the program is to play a key role in supporting digital transformation. This aim is aligned with the Internet Society’s purposes to promote educational applications of the Internet, to promote the Internet’s development, evolution, or use to benefit people, and to stimulate and educate communities in the Internet’s use and application.
Focus Areas
- Proposed projects should be closely tied with one of more of ISOC’s and the Foundation’s seven purposes. Proposed projects will focus on one or both of the following thematic areas:
- Economic Inclusion
- The Foundation seeks projects that help underserved and unserved communities leverage the Internet to build financial opportunities, increase economic independence, and create sustainable income sources. Example past projects have included building Internet skills among early-stage entrepreneurs, equipping migrant communities to leverage the Internet for successful online marketing activities, helping women develop confidence and ability to use the Internet for their small business activities, developing innovative applications of the Internet to unlock economic opportunity in a particular rural community, or training communities and individuals in advanced Internet applications to secure better jobs.
- Educational Opportunities
- The Foundation seeks projects that support underserved and unserved communities to leverage the Internet to increase access to high-quality primary and secondary education, improve learning outcomes, and improve virtual teaching and distance learning methodologies and skills. Example past projects have included supporting teachers to leverage the Internet to maximize educational opportunities for their students, helping girls and families experience the benefits of the Internet to access education even during interruptions to in-person learning, and increasing culturally relevant and responsive education in marginalized communities by making learning materials available on the Internet in local languages.
- Economic Inclusion
Funding Information
- Grants of up to $250,000 USD will be awarded for projects that are 24 months (2 years) in duration.
Activities
- Facilitates open development of standards, protocols, administration, and the technical infrastructure of the Internet.
- Supports education in developing countries specifically, and wherever the need exists.
- Promotes professional development and builds community to foster participation and leadership in areas important to the evolution of the Internet.
- Provides reliable information about the Internet.
- Provides forums for discussion of issues that affect Internet evolution, development and use in technical, commercial, societal, and other contexts.
- Fosters an environment for international cooperation, community, and a culture that enables self-governance to work.
- Serves as a focal point for cooperative efforts to promote the Internet as a positive tool to benefit all people throughout the world.
- Provides management and coordination for on-strategy initiatives and outreach efforts in humanitarian, educational, societal, and other contexts.
Target Countries
- The SCILLS program operates in target countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Currently, the six target countries are Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Ghana, Indonesia, and Senegal.
Eligibility Criteria
- The basic eligibility requirements for all Foundation grants are outlined here. All applicants must ensure that they meet these basic requirements.
- Additionally, the Foundation is seeking applications from organizations that:
- Have deep experience using the Internet as a force for good, as reflected in their organizational purpose, mission, and activities
- Have a demonstrated understanding and track record of success in working in one or both of the thematic Focus Areas of economic inclusion and educational opportunities.
- Have a deep knowledge of and experience working with intended beneficiary community(ies)
- Is well positioned to execute the project in terms of experience managing grants, role in the ecosystem, expertise with similar projects, relationships in the community, skills of staff and/or partners, or other strengths and capacities
- Are proposing projects that feature the Internet as a key implementation tool.
Selection Criteria
- Once prospective applicants are screened for organization eligibility and project alignment in the SOI (Statement of Interest) phase, selective applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. The selection criteria against which the Independent Program Review Committee (IPRC) will review eligible applications is:
- The proposed project supports the overall goal of the SCILLS funding program
- The proposed project clearly outlines why and how the Internet can be leveraged to effectively address the identified issue or opportunity
- The applicant and any partners demonstrate the necessary knowledge, relationships, and experience to accomplish the project goals
- The project’s goals, outcomes, key milestones, indicators, and workplan are clearly defined and align with each other.
For more information, visit SCILLS Grant Program.