The Board of Directors of the IEEE Foundation is committed to responding to the need to improve the worldwide technological literacy of society from childhood through adulthood. The intention of the IEEE Foundation is to be an advocate and supporter of programs that improve primary and secondary math and science learning, increase active interest in engineering and science, preserve the history of IEEE associated technologies, and tap the technological expertise of IEEE members. In doing so, it is understood that these objectives can be met by the work of IEEE units as well as by outside groups working in areas of relevance and importance to the IEEE and its membership.

In spirit, the IEEE Foundation seeks to be a catalyst and provide seed money to units that have an interest in creating programs and projects that will make a lasting impression on electrotechnology and related fields. The IEEE Foundation does not provide funds for overhead expenses nor for those costs that can be associated with the regular, ongoing business of the Institute or the applying entity. The IEEE Foundation should not be looked upon as a supplement to the normal budgeting process.

Further, the IEEE Foundation does not normally fund brick and mortar or the acquisition of equipment. Travel expenses will be considered only if they clearly support the goals of the project.

The IEEE Foundation expects that the principals involved in the project will volunteer their efforts. This does not preclude the purchase of special effort from vendors when and if needed.

Before commencing the task of compiling information for your grant application, please consider the following guidelines as they relate to your proposal and ensure that each is dealt with in your submission.

• How wide-reaching is the project geographically? Will it be of benefit just to a local area, or can it (and should it) have impact on a much broader audience? Does the grant application include communication and assistance to that broader audience? Does it also give consideration to scalability and replication of the project?
• Many projects require ongoing funding after the experimental introductory phase is successful. If this project requires ongoing support, be advised that in keeping with the IEEE Foundation acting as a catalyst, generally speaking, it will not provide continual funding. What plan will be or has been established to sustain the project in years to come?
• Has the project been funded previously by another source? If so, why is this support no longer available?
• If the project involves the provision of services from an external vendor, please ensure that more than one bid is obtained to ensure that the work is carried out as cost effectively as possible.

Please note that the IEEE Foundation may seek input from IEEE Organizational Units that have expertise and knowledge in the areas of submitted proposals. Our purpose here is to assure that the grant application receives judgments from individuals with ability and knowledge in the field of the proposal.

The IEEE Foundation gladly will consider requests to co-sponsor projects or activities with other supporters. Other support is looked upon as further proof of the benefit of the project. However, if the IEEE Foundation's contribution is not critical to the success of the endeavor, it will not look favorably upon such requests. By and large, the IEEE Foundation seeks to make a difference and not merely to additionally support good works that others have or will be supporting in substantially greater degree.

The IEEE Foundation cooperates with the IEEE Life Members Committee in philanthropic activities. Please visit the IEEE Life Members Committee webpages to read more about its activities.

When submitting a grant application, it is imperative that you include full budget details and a clearly defined timeline for submission of invoices and status reports. Please refer to the Projects Report Guidelines for further information. The budget should be prepared using the "Project Budget" form provided.

The Approval Process:

Grant Applications will not be funded without the approval of the IEEE Foundation Board of Directors. Approval of grants, including funding arrangements, are announced within one month after each IEEE Foundation Board meeting. The meetings typically occur in March, June, and November of each year (see schedule). All funds requested are to be used solely for activities as specified in the grant application and will be subject to review by the IEEE Foundation Projects Review Committee.

Submission Deadlines:

Submission of Grant Application:

If you wish to submit a grant application, please complete the IEEE Foundation Grant Application form which you can access by clicking on the link below. This form will be submitted electronically to the IEEE Foundation and you will receive confirmation that it has been received.

Grant Application

If you experience difficulty with any of these forms, please contact us:
e-mail: foundation-office@ieee.org

or

IEEE Foundation
c/o IEEE - Corporate Activities
445 Hoes Lane
Piscataway, NJ 08854, U.S.A.
Tel: +1 732 981 3435
Fax: +1 732 981 9019