IEEE Electron Devices Society & Tech4Good Call for Proposals
The IEEE Tech4Good program offers funding opportunities to support grassroots technological projects, led by IEEE members, that address local challenges to solve pressing social and environmental challenges. The collaboration between Tech4Good and the Electron Devices Society (EDS) has resulted in a call for project proposals, a unique opportunity for EDS members to use their skillset and expertise to apply technology for social impact.
Technology Impact Categories
There is a broad range of challenges in the local communities where IEEE members live worldwide. The starting point for a project should always be the needs of the community as evidenced through dialogue 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. The local projects should include specific social impact goals to enhance and improve agricultural, clean water, and/or energy technology. Applicants must select a focus area for their proposal to be considered:
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Funding Specifications
Amount of funding: Project grants will be between US$2,500 and US$10,000 per project.
Term of funding: Project implementation plans may be up to six months following the project start date.
- Each team may submit only one proposal
- The primary applicant must be an IEEE & EDS professional member or higher in good standing. Student members may be secondary applicants.
- Project teams that received Tech4Good funding in the past may apply if the project has been completed and all reporting requirements fulfilled.
Proposal Requirements:
- Applicants clearly articulate how the project uses technology within EDS fields of interest to address a sustainable development challenge in their local community.
- Applicants are connected to their local IEEE EDS Chapters and engage IEEE members currently living in the country where the project takes place.
Submission Process
- Applicants will progress through two stages of evaluation.
- The initial Letter of Intent may be submitted using the Online Funding Opportunities Portal starting 15 May 2025 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage applicants to submit their letters of intent as soon as possible.
- Deadline to submit the Letter of Intent: Now Extended through 30 June 2025.
- Applicants with a Letter of Intent that passes the first round of evaluation will be invited to submit a complete proposal. They will have two weeks to submit after receiving feedback from the first evaluation.
Timeframe to Use Funds, Assessment & Reporting
- Funds must be spent within six (6) months from the approved project start date.
- A brief progress report must be submitted every month after the project’s approved start date.
- A final report with an accounting of expenses and impact assessment information demonstrating the successful deployment of the solution must be submitted within 60 days of the project’s completion.
Applicant Resources
Call for Proposals
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the entire Call for Proposals for more detailed information including eligible budget items, legal and compliance requirements, and proposal requirements. Applicants are also encouraged to review the application questions (letter of intent and complete proposal) prior to beginning their submission. Please keep in mind that only applications submitted through the Online Funding Opportunities Portal will be evaluated.
Evaluation Criteria
- Benefits to the local community are well articulated and show clear impact metric targets.
- Project scope is defined and meets technological and sustainable development requirements.
- Team composition demonstrates the strength of team and members’ technical capacity.
- Potential risks have been assessed and the team has prepared a feasible mitigation plan.
- Involvement of local organizations and stakeholders ensures the long-term sustainability of the technological intervention.
- Clear potential for social and environmental impact with attainable success metrics.
- Alignment with IEEE’s mission of advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.
What to Include in a Proposal
- Clearly articulate how the project addresses a sustainable development challenge in your local community.
- Focus on the implementation of appropriate technology within EDS fields of interest.
- Demonstrate a connection with your local IEEE organizational unit(s) (OUs) and engage a significant number of IEEE EDS members currently living in the country where the project takes place.
- Ensure your team has the relevant expertise to execute the project.
- Actively involve the local community in determining what is needed and how the project will be designed and executed.
- Include a thorough sustainability plan that includes educational efforts to ensure that local communities can manage the deployed solution after the six months term of funding.
- Clearly articulate the impact of the project and how it will be measured.
What to Avoid in a Proposal
- Proposals that are primarily research or commercial in nature.
- Proposals that are solely focused on STEM education. No direct correlation to a challenge faced by a specific community, or the community is not actively involved.
- No deployment, customization, and/or development of technology.
- Proposals without a clear plan for impact measurement.
- Proposals that solely deal with immediate disaster relief. All projects related to disaster preparedness or recovery should focus on medium- and longer-term needs.
- Proposals focused on developing medical devices or medical device prototypes.
Get Inspired
Learn more about other projects implemented with Tech4Good grants in the past.
Contact Information
Do you have any questions about the suitability of your proposal or the application platform? If so, please write to tech4good@ieee.org before writing and submitting your proposal.