IEEE Tech4Good Projects Call for Proposals
IEEE Tech4Good, and IEEE Humanitarian Technologies program, offers funding so teams of IEEE members around the world can implement projects that apply technical know-how to local challenges.
Projects are valuable opportunities to leverage the IEEE network and expertise to solve global challenges and foster technology for social impact.
IEEE members are encouraged to form teams and apply for Tech4Good funding to carry out a project in their community. Teams should have an existing relationship with a local organization, non-profit, school or university, companies, or local government to partner on project implementation. Projects must contribute to one of the Technology Impact Categories aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and take into account the relevant environmental, cultural, socio-economic, and infrastructural issues that could affect the project and its impact.
Technology Impact Categories
There is a broad range of challenges in the communities where IEEE members live worldwide. The starting point for a project should always be need identification determined 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.
In their proposal, applicants will be asked to select one of the following Technology Impact Categories below, as well as a specific indicator of the related SDG.
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.
Eligibility to Apply
- Each team 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 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 Tech4Good 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 30 January 2026. Letters of Intent must be submitted by the deadline of 15 March 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.
- Proposal Eligibility Checklist
- 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.
Funded Project Case Studies
For inspiration, see these three short presentations on projects funded in the past. Prospective project teams are encouraged to get in touch with funded project teams and explore opportunities for replication and/or scaling of successful activities.
Cahaya Budi Luhur, IEEE Indonesia Section
Lighting St. Augustino Primary School Kitohwa, IEEE Uganda Section
Integrated Solar Lighting and Camera Surveillance System, IEEE Sarawak Subsection (Malaysia)
Improving Energy Access in Rural Areas, IEEE Karachi Section
Health4Afrika Resources in Constrained Environments
IEEE Tech4Good Case Studies
Bringing Quality Education to Underserved Communities, IEEE Guatemala Section
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.