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Internet For All Winners

Congratulations to the six winners awarded funds to implement their project!

  • Connecting the Unconnected Refugees in Turkana, Kenya
  • IEEE ComSoc ICT-Hub for Internet Provision to Students and Host Communities in SLU, Nigeria
  • Juanchaco Community Network, Columbia
  • Rehabilitation of a Data Network in Gualaceo, Ecuador
  • Connect The Lives, India
  • HIVE - Harnessing the Internet for Village Empowerment, Pakistan

Learn More

The “Digital Divide” is the gap between those able to benefit from the digital age and those who do not. The absence of connectivity is not merely a technological barrier, but one that affects access to healthcare, education, social services, work, and participation in the global and local economies.

A similar problem exists with local infrastructure. Internet providers may not be focused on deploying the infrastructure necessary to bring services to all rural homes and villages. According to UNESCO, only 55 percent of households globally have an internet connection.

The power of connectivity lies within the expertise found in our membership. As communications engineers, we can help to solve this situation.

Competition Overview

Submission Timeline

The 2023 Competition is closed. Look for information on the 2024 soon.

The starting point for a project should always be the needs of the community as evidenced through dialogue and relationship with local community organizations and leaders. Projects must focus on people first, rather than starting with a particular technology that needs to find a use.

Projects must have a connection to the local IEEE Section and ComSoc chapter and engage a significant number of IEEE ComSoc members. HTB and ComSoc require that teams have relevant technical and other expertise to credibly execute the project.

How It Works:

  1. Teams from around the world will submit project proposals identifying a locality where internet connectivity is needed, and how local ComSoc members and peers will create, plan, and implement the connectivity.
  2. The Internet for All reviewers will select 2 projects from each Region to be implemented. Regions are defined as:
    • North America
    • Europe, Middle East, Africa
    • Latin America
    • Asia Pacific
  1. Each winning project will receive up to US$12,000 to implement and sustain the project.
  2. Teams will train local partners to maintain and sustain the project.

Term of funding: Up to 6 months following the project start date.

Read the Call for Proposals

Who Can Submit a Project?

Our global ComSoc community is welcome to submit proposals, but please note:

  • The primary applicant must be an IEEE ComSoc professional member grade or higher in good standing. Student members may be secondary applicants. HTB and ComSoc check all member numbers during the intake process. If membership status of the primary applicant is in arrears, the submission cannot move forward.
  • In addition, the project lead who is a ComSoc member must be a member of the chapter in the local community where the project is to be implemented.
  • Each team may submit only one proposal.
  • An IEEE OU - preferably the local Section - must act as the fiscal agent. Applicants must discuss this with the OU Treasurer prior to proposal submission. HTB generally cannot transfer funds to a Society Chapter or Student Branch. IEEE financial requirements for funding disbursements will apply. Please see IEEE FOM 2.E - IEEE Unit Reporting (Including, but not limited to, Societies, Technical Councils, Geographic Units, and Conferences).
  • Because U.S. economic sanctions and export controls are subject to frequent change, please review the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control’s Sanctions list to determine if your country can receive funding or contact internetforall@comsoc.org with any questions before applying.

How Do I Submit a Proposal?

Questions?

The team is happy to address any questions you may have about the application, the project, and criteria. Please email your questions to internetforall@comsoc.org and we have a team member get back to you.