[Chapter-delegates] [Internet Society] Community Grants Programme -Training and Info sessions for next round of applications

[Ilda Simao ISOC]

I apologize for cross-posting

Dear chapter delegates,
 
The Internet Society will be accepting applications for the May 2013 round of the Community Grants Programme from 04 March to 01 April 2013, (note that applications will close at the end of the day, midnight PDT (-7 UTC) on 01April).  Award decisions will be announced at the end of May 2013.
 
To prepare for this application round, we recommend you participate in one or both of the upcoming online sessions: an online Training session or an Information session (Q&A format).  Each session will be held twice to accommodate different time zones.
 
1)   Community Grants Training: Writing a Community Grants Proposal 
      - The goal of this session is to provide you with the tools to transform your project idea into a planned project proposal and also covers expectations of grantees after they receive an award.
 
When: Tuesday, 5 February at 1030 and 2000 UTC
Where: Online (via Webex)
Register: http://www.doodle.com/d6adh23v9gucr4mt
Connect: http://www.internetsociety.org/events/community-grants-training-writing-community-grants-proposal
 
2)   Community Grants Information Session (Q & A format)
      - The goal of this session is to clear any doubts you may have regarding the Community Grants Programme (criteria, rules, focus area…). You will also learn some tips on applying to the programme.
 
When: Tuesday, 19 February at 1030 and 2000 UTC
Where: Online (via webex)
Register: http://doodle.com/cqgzxe6puwk43n5w
Connect: https://www.internetsociety.org/events/community-grants-information-session-q-format
 
All sessions will be held in English, however questions can be asked in French and Spanish.
 
Programme Information is available on the Internet Society website, for your review at: http://www.internetsociety.org/communitygrants (note that this page is also available in French and Spanish).
 
Those participating in a conference call are urged to read over the programme webpages in advance of the meeting.
 
 
**Good to Know**
 
Letters of Support are Mandatory:
 
- Beginning last round, the Community Grant Programme will require at least one letter of support to be uploaded to your application. The support letter(s) should acknowledge the support from the various stakeholders engaged in the project, whether “in kind” or cash donations.  Any support for your project that is more than US$500 should be validated with a support letter that establishes your project partners’ willingness to support your initiative and their engagement toward fulfilling your project’s goals.
 
- The Internet Society will continue using the Zoomgrants web-based application to receive & review Community Grants Programme proposals. We highly recommend you consult the online tutorial before at applying: http://zoomgrants.com/overview.asp
 
- The current, preferred Focus Areas for project applications remain:
         • IPv6
         • Local content creation (encouraging demand for and use of the Internet for a specific community)
         • Encouraging the multi-stakeholder approach to technical and policy issues
         • Interconnection and traffic exchange
 
It is important to note, that the above Focus Areas provide direction in formulating project ideas. These are preferences only and other project topics will be accepted as well.
 
You can read an application sample at http://internetsociety.org/sample-community-grants-application
 
Frequently asked questions can be consulted at http://internetsociety.org/what-we-do/grants-and-awards/grants/community-grants/community-grants-faq
 
 
Any questions regarding the Community Grants Programme, please send them to projects at isoc.org.
 
Chapter applicants seeking specific advice may also contact their Regional Bureau Director.
 
 
We look forward to your participation.
 
Ilda Simao
Community Grants Coordinator
Internet Society
Community Grants Blog: http://www.internetsociety.org/blog

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