IEEE Region 8 and IEEE Tech4Good (T4G) are partnering to offer the 2026 Tech Catalyst program to provide funding to SIGHT Groups (and prospective SIGHT Groups) for grassroots IEEE member projects that implement technological solutions to sustainable development challenges.
The IEEE Region 8 Humanitarian Technology Activities Committee (R8 HTAC) takes a futurist approach to support the development of innovative technological solutions to foster social impact. The Tech Catalyst program provides project grants to SIGHT Groups in the Region with great initiatives and creative technological solutions for the local communities where their members live. Proposed solutions must have a sustainability plan in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and take into account cost-effectiveness, environmental sustainability, trust-enhancement, relevance to users and community, community buy-in, and accessibility.
Technology Impact Categories
The local projects should include specific social impact goals to enhance and improve agricultural, clean water, educational, and/or energy technology. Applicants must select a focus area for their proposal to be considered.
Funding Specifications
Amount of Funding: Project grants will be between US$1,000 and US$5,000 per project.
Term of Funding: Project implementation plans may be up to six months following the project start date.
Eligibility to Apply
- Each SIGHT Group from Region 8 may submit only one proposal.
- The primary applicant must be an IEEE Professional member or higher in good standing. Student members may be secondary applicants.
- Project teams that received Tech4Good funding for a project in the past may apply if the project has been completed and all reporting requirements fulfilled.
Submission Process
Applicants will progress through three steps:
- Eligibility Quiz – respond to several short questions to help you determine if your proposal will qualify for the R8 Tech Catalyst program funding. Take your time, as this may only be submitted once per applicant!
- Letter of Intent – provide some basic information about your proposed solution, local community, and team.
- Application – Applicants with letters of intent that pass the first round of evaluation will be invited to submit an application to provide more information on the proposed solution, including a plan for assessment and a signed letter of support from a community organization or partner.
The Eligibility Quiz may be found on the Online Funding Opportunities Portal starting 08 June 2026. Letters of Intent must be submitted by the deadline of 13 July 2026 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants are encouraged to submit their letters of intent as soon as possible.
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
Documents: Checklists, Guides, and Templates
- Call for Proposals – Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the entire document for more detailed information including eligible budget items, legal and compliance, and proposal requirements.
- Eligibility Quiz, Letter of Intent, and Application question list
- Project Checklist
- Project Assessment Guide
- Project & Community Engagement Principles
Templates
- Letter of Support template to be completed and signed by a local community partner.
- Project Budget template – remember to download the file to update with your project’s information.
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, IEEE-relevant technology.
- Demonstrate a connection with your local IEEE organizational unit(s) (OUs) and engage a significant number of IEEE 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 humanitarian@ieeer8.org before writing and submitting your proposal.