Internet Freedom Annual Program Statement: Internet Freedom Technology (Limited Submission)

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor has released the Internet Freedom Annual Program Statement for Internet Freedom Technology, which announces the availability of funding under the "Governing Justly and Democratically" Foreign Assistance program objective.  Interested organizations are invited to submit up to two Statements of Interest for projects that will "foster freedom of expression and free flow of information" around the world."  The Department of State will evaluate the Statements of Interest and invite select organizations to submit full proposals.  

Award:  From $500,000  up to $2.5 million over a period of from one to three years

Important dates:

Mandatory notification of interest deadline:  For the Department of State's May 31, 2013 deadline, provide the notification of interest to limited-submission@ncsu.edu by 5 p.m. April 25, 2013.  Include a working title, and identify which theme is the focal point, either "Technology Expanding Open and Uncensored Access to Information and Communications" or Secure Communication Technology," pages 2 and 3 of the announcement (available at http://research.ncsu.edu/rdo/2013/04/internet/).  

Internal preproposal submission:  Due by 5 p.m. May 6, 2013 to limited-submission@ncsu.edu .  Internal requirements are available at http://research.ncsu.edu/rdo/2013/04/internet/ .  

Estimated internal review completion date:  May 10, 2013

Department of State Statement of Interest submission deadline:  May 31, 2013.

For more information and a link to the Department of State announcement, see http://research.ncsu.edu/rdo/2013/04/internet/ .

EPA Announces University Challenge to Find Innovative Uses for Toxics Data

This is a very interesting opportunity for scholars working in environmental policy. The areas in which I believe CHASS participation would be particularly strong are indicated in bold in the last full paragraph of this announcement. Please visit the first listed link below to learn about how to participate in Webinars on this program. Of course, the Research Office is ready to help you apply for any funding.

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News Release: EPA Announces University Challenge to Find Innovative Uses for Toxics Data
03/19/2013

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today launched the TRI University Challenge, a new initiative designed to use academic partnerships to find innovative uses for Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data. TRI gives all Americans access to information about toxic chemicals in the environment as a tool to better protect health and the environment.

“For more than 20 years, individuals, organizations and communities have relied on TRI as a powerful tool for environmental protection,” said Malcolm D. Jackson, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Environmental Information and Chief Information Officer. “Now, EPA is encouraging students and professors to submit ideas for new projects that will increase the knowledge, use, and understanding of TRI data.

EPA will accept TRI University Challenge applications between March 18 and May 13, 2013 for projects that will begin this fall. Two informational webinars about the challenge are planned for April.

Institutions whose project proposals are selected will become TRI University Challenge partners. Partners gain practical experience collaborating with EPA to understand and solve local environmental challenges and may receive national recognition for their efforts. While no monetary assistance is available as part of this challenge, partners will receive direct support and guidance from EPA TRI experts.

Priority will be given to projects related to one or more of the following four topics: pollution prevention and sustainability, stakeholder engagement, technology and data mashups, and environmental education.

TRI helps industry, government, non-governmental organizations and the public make environmentally responsible decisions .by providing them with information about toxic chemical releases into the air, water and land.

More information on the Challenge, webinars and sample project ideas: www.epa.gov/tri/university

More information about the Challenge: http://challenge.gov/

More information about TRI: www.epa.gov/tri

Nominations for the 2013 International Food Prize

Colleagues, if you have a colleague you'd like to nominate, please see the link below.

The World Food Prize Foundation is accepting nominations for the 2013 international World Food Prize to "recognize the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world."  The late Nobel Peace Prize Laureate for 1970, Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, was the founder.  

The award is $250,000 formally presented at the Laureate Award Ceremony in mid-October, on or around World Food Day, in conjunction with the Borlaug Dialogue international symposium.

To nominate an individual, see

http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm?nodeID=25290 .

The World Food Prize program is not a limited submission program.