[Web4lib] "MICROSOFT ANNOUNCES ACADEMIC RESEARCH FUNDING OPPORTUNITY"

[drweb at san.rr.com]

"Stolen" from AMIGOS newsletter.. FYI.
http://research.microsoft.com/ur/us/fundingopps/RFPs/DigitalInclusion_2005_RFP.aspx

2. MICROSOFT ANNOUNCES ACADEMIC RESEARCH FUNDING OPPORTUNITY 
As part of its commitment to the academic research community, Microsoft
Research 
has announced a $1.2 million Digital Inclusion funding opportunity
designed to empower academic researchers worldwide to tackle
technological challenges in a way that positively affects health,
education, and socioeconomic conditions. 

Through a request-for-proposal (RFP) process, Microsoft Research is
encouraging academic research that explores how technologies such as,
mobile devices, cellular phones, and networking can unlock the potential
of people everywhere by making computing affordable, accessible, and
relevant. 

Microsoft Research is particularly interested in academic research
projects that strive to achieve fundamental breakthroughs and leverage
the following areas: creative new infrastructures, form factors, and
applications of mobile devices; connectivity, particularly in
environments without existing network infrastructures or with
intermittent availability to networking and power; appropriate user
interfaces to address challenges in literacy and novice users of
technology; and culturally relevant technology applications for computing. 

The total amount available under the RFP is $1.2 million. Microsoft
Research anticipates making 15 to 20 awards in the range of $20,000 to
$100,000. Awards under this program are for one year only but may be
renewable at the discretion of Microsoft Research. 

The deadline for receipt of proposals is January 13, 2006. The proposing
institution must be an accredited baccalaureate-granting college or
university (or international equivalent) with nonprofit status.
Proposals should reflect a commitment to make all results stemming from
a funded project, including the intellectual property within those
results, broadly available in either the public domain or under a
non-restrictive license. 

Complete program information and application guidelines are available at
the Microsoft Research website, http://www.research.microsoft.com/. 


P. Michael McCulley
mailto:drweb at san.rr.com  
San Diego, CA 
http://drweb.typepad.com/