Deadline: 25 June 2018

Applications are currently being accepted for “Digital Impact Grants” to improve the digital infrastructure for civil society and help social sector practitioners and policymakers use digital resources safely, ethically, and effectively for maximum impact.

Digital Impact is an initiative of the Digital Civil Society Lab at the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society. Digital Impact is made possible with the ongoing support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the progressive financial firm Liquidnet, and Knight Foundation.

Digital Impact Grants to foster innovations and research that have broad application for improving knowledge, practices, and outcomes across the social sector.

Types of Grants

• Research Grants are for academic teams exploring questions of scholarly interest that have practical applications for the social sector, or scholarly review of existing practice.
• Sector Advancement Grants are intended for nonprofits and partners to address sector-wide challenges in using digital data safely, ethically and effectively. Priority will be given to projects that align with the four principles for digital data use outlined on the Digital Impact Toolkit: permission, privacy, openness and pluralism.

Funding Information

The total funding pool is $200,000. It is anticipate making between 5 and 10 grants, although number and size will depend on the applicant pool.

Eligibility Criteria

• Research grants will be made to faculty or graduate students at universities in the United States and abroad. Priority will be given to research projects with either a demonstrated commitment to practical applications in the social sector or those that clearly articulate a plan to turn their research into practical knowledge. Applicant welcome applications from any disciplinary perspective or methodology, as well as applications that bring together multiple disciplinary inquiries.
• Sector advancement grants will be made to non-profit organizations in the United States and abroad. U.S.-based organizations must have 501(c)(3) status. Organizations based outside of the U.S. must have equivalent exempt status. Please note that the grant excludes activities with countries against which the United States maintains a comprehensive embargo unless such activities are fully authorized by the U.S. government under applicable law and specifically approved by the Gates Foundation in its sole discretion.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online via given website.

For more information, please visit Digital Impact Grants.