News Releases

IEEE Humanitarian Technology Fund Awards First Two Grants

24 September – The IEEE Foundation awarded its first two grants from the IEEE Humanitarian Technology Fund, established to assist projects that use technology to improve the quality of life especially in developing countries:
 

• The Brown University chapter of Engineers Without Borders was awarded US$15,000 to help fund the Rainwater for Humanity project in Kuttanad, India. The project entails the construction of rainwater storage reservoirs and catchment systems with built-in purification devices to capture rain from existing rooftops. The project also includes a training program for local women which will empower them to eventually manage the reservoirs on their own;
    
• Virginia State University was awarded US$4,000 to support its Wireless Messaging Device for Disaster Relief. The project is intended to combat instances of communication failure that hinder relief efforts during natural or man-made disasters. 
  
  These were just two of the 12 grants awarded from three distinct funds (IEEE Foundation General Fund, the IEEE Life Member Fund, and the Humanitarian Technology Fund) totaling US$146,467, after the IEEE June Meeting Series.