Title
2024 PIT-UN
Agencies
Public Interest Technology University Network Challenge (PIT-UN)
Description
The Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN) Challenge is a unique program that drives equitable innovation in technology across academia, government, industry and civil society. Since 2019, the Challenge has deployed over $15 million to build new courses, research centers, community and government partnerships, certificates and degrees, internships, fellowships and more.
In 2023, 14 grants totaling $1.5 million were awarded to further develop a research community and workforce as passionate about public interest as they are about developing breakthrough technologies.
In 2024, Year 6 of the Network Challenge, we anticipate supporting 10 – 15 projects led by PIT-UN Members that are:
Educational offerings that foster cross-disciplinary perspectives and credentialing, or
Career pipeline/placement efforts to develop a public interest technology workforce in government, industry, and social impact organizations.
Members of PIT-UN lead Network Challenge projects, often in partnership with other universities, community organizations, nonprofits, government offices or companies. In Year 6, the Challenge will support new ideas and frameworks for advancing public interest technology in the following area:
Climate and Environment
State & Local Government Partnerships
Democracy & Elections
AI, Quantum & Emerging Technologies
Gender Justice
We are particularly interested in projects that do not replicate existing and previously funded projects but offer a new approach or lens for public interest technology. Each of the past 145 Network Challenge projects has a distinctive strategy to advance technology that serves all communities, especially those historically excluded from or marginalized by technology’s design, deployment and governance.
Successful Network Challenge applications require a thorough and ongoing review of past projects and the full Request for Proposals.
More Information
https://pitcases.org/2024-network-challenge/
Submission Limits
The PIT-UN Network Challenge is a limited submission funding opportunity and limits the number of applications from one institution. These “limited submission” funding opportunities must undergo an internal selection process (also known as an internal competition), which is coordinated by the institution. Please consult your institution before you develop any applications. Additionally, there is a limit to the number of proposals a PIT-UN member university can submit:
Proposals for up to a total of three new projects. Only one of these can fall within the funding Tranche 2 ($90,001–$145,000).
Proposals to expand/scale previously awarded projects, outlined in Eligibility section ii, can fall into either funding Tranche 1 (up to $90,000) or Tranche 2* ($90,001–$145,000). Proposals requesting Tranche 2 funding must include at least 50% in-kind contribution funding from the primary institution. Proposed budgets should be inclusive of an indirect rate, set at 20% of total direct costs. Note: Proposals can only be funded with Network Challenge funding for three years.
Deadlines
Internal Notice of Intent |
Apr 19, 2024 |
Notification of Internal Competition |
Apr 20, 2024 |
Internal Pre-proposal |
Apr 26, 2024 |
Results of Internal Competition |
May 3, 2024 |
Agency Notice of Intent/Pre-proposal |
N/A |
Agency Proposal |
May 17, 2024
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