Digital Inclusion Through Mobile and Wireless Technologies
Research Funding Initiative

This RFP has been awarded. To view the award recipients, see Digital Inclusion Through Mobile and Wireless Technologies RFP Awards.

Background

There has been growing recognition that the power of computing and information technology must be, and can be, extended beyond its traditional user base to reach people who until now have not had access to such technology. Being digitally connected has become ever more critical to economic, educational, and social advancement. The term “Digital Inclusion” is used in this document to describe the goal of expanding the capabilities of computing technology worldwide to better serve social and economic challenges of underserved communities, both rural and urban. (The term “Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D)” is also often used in the academic research community to describe the same goal.)

Specifically, Digital Inclusion means that computing must be affordable, accessible, and relevant. Novel approaches in computing technology have the potential for great impact in a range of areas, including education, healthcare, and economic development. The relevance that research projects can have in this area is significant, given that estimates of populations that can be positively affected by computing technologies fall within 2–4 billion people worldwide. Some tough research problems must be solved to realize that vision — such as work in last-mile networking infrastructures, intuitive user interfaces, low-cost computing devices, and geographically relevant applications. The External Research & Programs group in Microsoft Research will support research into the use of technologies, such as cell phones, wireless technologies, and applications, that make computing affordable, accessible, and relevant.

Request for Academic Research Proposals

There are multiple technological challenges in making progress with respect to reaching the promise of Digital Inclusion. With this request for proposals, Microsoft Research will support academic research in specific technologies with a keen interest in multidisciplinary approaches to these research issues. The objective of the academic research projects must be to advance the state of the art of technologies relevant to challenges in Digital Inclusion. In addition, Microsoft Research has keen interest in academic research projects that are jointly supported by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that have similar interests in addressing the challenges faced in Digital Inclusion.

Projects will be reviewed specifically for the merit of the following research goals:

• Creative new infrastructures, form factors, and applications of mobile devices (which include mobile phones or embedded devices).
• Improve connectivity, particularly in environments without existing network infrastructures or with intermittent availability to networking and power. Challenges in wireless networks would be a relevant theme in this category.
• Design appropriate user interfaces addressing challenges in literacy and for novice users of technology.
• Focus on relevant technology application advancements, taking into account the technology issues described in the three points above, which will provide benefits in such areas as health, education, and commerce.

Definition of Research Problem Space

Microsoft Research has interest in the following intersection in pursuit of Digital Inclusion solutions:

• fundamental academic research projects to advance the state of the art of technologies relevant for issues in Digital Inclusion. (As illustrated in the diagram below, the academic research teams define the research agenda and potential solutions.)
• applied research, such as “test beds” and “proof-of-concept” field experiments, to advance fundamental research and show relevance in the area of study. (For example, NGO partnerships will drive the project toward innovative applied applications.)

Prime consideration is given to those proposals that have support from NGO partners in the pursuit of the academic research goals and proof-of-concept deployments.

The following list provides research questions and potential technology assets that could be applied in exploring Digital Inclusion issues and opportunities. Microsoft Research is interested in addressing technology challenges in these areas. But it must be emphasized that creativity and novel approaches are always encouraged.

• What are the technology components that would need to be developed to meet the needs of underserved communities?
• How can low-cost and highly available connectivity be provided over a wide area? How can we “reach the last mile” more efficiently?
• How can networks be effective for serving social and economic concerns, such as environmental issues, disaster mitigation, health, education, agriculture, and commerce?
• New users may often have little education or may be completely new to computing devices. What are effective user interfaces for these communities?
• What are effective new-user interfaces for form factors, such as PCs, mobile phones, and PDAs? User interfaces should consider novice or illiterate users and structuring for multi-lingual support.
• What applications for mobile technologies are relevant for underserved communities?
• Information and services must be relevant and provide significant benefit to be worth their cost. Technology must be viewed in a social context. How can the technology be best used and integrated into the culture of society?

Technical Resources

The following technology examples can be used in pursing the previous research questions. Particular merit will be given to ambitious academic projects that strive to achieve fundamental breakthroughs in leveraging or extending these technologies.

• Mobile computing scenarios that leverage location-aware technologies
• Novel uses of WiFi or Bluetooth for applications in peer-to-peer networking or for sensor sharing using the Windows Mobile platform
• Novel uses of mesh networking concepts to provide network access or other functionality
• User Interface challenges for users in underserved regions.
• Mobile databases, which may or may not utilize SQL Mobile or the Windows Mobile File System Filter.

In addition to fiscal support, all award recipients will receive a Digital Inclusion RFP Technology Resource Kit. Research proposals are encouraged to utilize referenced Microsoft resources and platforms. While use and fluency with Microsoft platforms is among the selection criteria, platform selections are not a condition for eligibility.

The Digital Inclusion RFP Technology Resource Kit will include the following items or similar technical assets:

In addition, all award recipients will also be given access to the rich technology portfolio available in MSDNAA (Microsoft Developer Network Academic Alliance). For details on the products included in this program, see: http://msdn.microsoft.com/academic/program/products/default.aspx.

Goals & Objectives

There are multiple challenges to achieve the vision of bringing the transformative power of technology to the world’s underserved populations. The goal of this RFP is to encourage and provide support for deep academic research that will strive to achieve breakthroughs in the state of the art of key enabling technologies to address the questions posed above in the domain of Digital Inclusion.

Proposals should target some or all of the following research goals:

• Novel and Creative Solutions: The intention of this project is not to enable incremental engineering projects with a known outcome, but rather to explore and invent new technology and understanding that will benefit underserved communities. Microsoft Research encourages bold, novel, and unconventional approaches to the core technology challenges in this area.
• Immediate Relevance: Microsoft Research is seeking academic research projects that are highly complimentary to a broad community need. Goals should be specific, measurable, and results-oriented with tangible metrics. In order to better evaluate problem areas, partnership between the academic technical research team and a non-governmental organization (NGO) with deep expertise in developing regions is highly encouraged and will be given prime consideration.
• Potential for Economic Impact: An ideal project will have the potential of sustainability beyond the timeframe of the proposed funding. Projects with direct economic impact offer far greater incentive for regional stakeholders to learn and support new technologies.
• Dissemination and Communication: Research results should be widely communicated through relevant scientific communities by using established academic channels, such as international conferences and refereed journals. All funded projects should result in a detailed Web presence and relevant conference publications or presentations. Other channels for community development include regional workshops, graduate seminars, and curriculum components. Any graduate or undergraduate curriculum components developed in association with this RFP should be contributed to the MSDN Academic Alliance Curriculum Repository (http://www.msdnaa.net/curriculum/).
• Pilot Deployment: Project teams are encouraged to design and build technologies that are engineered for pilot deployment as “proof of concept” or “test bed.” Wide-scale deployment of the resulting research is encouraged, but not required as a project objective. It must be emphasized that the goal of this request for proposal is to advance the state of the art of technologies. A proposed application should be in direct support of the academic research goals.

Awards

The total amount available under this request for proposals (RFP) is $1,200,000 (USD). Microsoft Research anticipates making 15 to 20 awards in the range of $20,000–$100,000. Award amounts may vary widely across different geographies because of the reality of economic conditions in different countries. Applicants are expected to scale their funding requests appropriately to match the scope of the research project in the geography. The appropriateness of the requested funding amount is a primary review consideration. In addition, Microsoft Research reserves the right to propose lower funding levels for projects. All awards will be made in $US as unrestricted gifts to the institution with the understanding that recipients should provide Microsoft Research with suitable progress reports at least twice yearly and that the academic goals of the project are achieved, particularly with regards to publishing in the broad scientific community. (A related objective of this request for proposals is to support Digital Inclusion academic research in Latin America and India. $300,000 of the $1,200,000 total amount is dedicated to those regions.)

Awards under this program are for one year only, but may be renewable at the sole discretion of Microsoft Research.

Eligibility

Conditions of eligibility listed below will be strictly adhered to, so please read them carefully. Proposals not meeting all these criteria will not be considered.

1. The proposing institution must be an accredited baccalaureate-granting college or university (or international equivalent) with non-profit status.
2. An institution will be awarded a maximum of one gift per RFP program, regardless of the number of proposals submitted from the institution. However, collaborative proposals embracing multiple groups across the organization are encouraged.
3. Proposals that are incomplete, inaccurate, request funds in excess of the maximum award available, or are otherwise not responsive to the terms and conditions of this RFP will, at the sole discretion of Microsoft Research, be excluded from consideration.
4. Proposals from or on behalf of persons participating in the evaluation process for this RFP will not be considered.
5. Proposals should evidence a commitment to make all results arising from a funded project (including all intellectual property in those results) broadly available by either: (i) dedicating such results to the public domain; or (ii) making the results available under a non-restrictive license that allows modification and redistribution without any significant restrictions or conditions, such as the BSD license available at http://www.opensource.org/licenses/bsd-license.html. Proposals should further evidence willingness to contribute any resulting curriculum material to the MSDN Academic Alliance Curriculum Repository at http://msdnaa.net/curriculum.

Submission Process

Proposals will be accepted in electronic form only at http://microsoft.redwhale.com. Proposals submitted to Microsoft will not be returned. Microsoft cannot assume responsibility for the confidentiality of information in submitted proposals. Therefore, proposals should not contain information that is confidential, restricted or sensitive. Microsoft reserves the right to make public proposals that receive awards, except those portions containing budgetary or personally identifiable information.

The submission process includes two parts.

1. Brief summary and contact information. Applicants must provide full contact information for principal investigators, amount requested, and a brief abstract. This information will be submitted through a Web form as part of the submission process.
2. Complete proposal containing full detail on the proposed project. Seven (7) pages maximum, 10-point font or larger, double-spaced, in either Microsoft Word or PDF format.

Proposals should fully address each of the items listed below under separate numbered headings.

1. Problem Statement: What is the problem or curriculum area addressed by the proposal and why is it important? What is the potential contribution to the field of the project if successful? Cite relevant work in the field as appropriate. (Maximum word count: 600)
2. Expected outcomes: What tangible assets, if any, will be created or produced as a result of the proposed project? How will the results of this project be disseminated to others? (Maximum word count: 600)
3. Schedule: When is the project to be completed? What milestones will be used to measure progress of the project and when will they be completed? If the project described is part of a larger ongoing research program, estimate the time for completion of this project only. (Maximum word count: 300)
4. Use of Funds: Provide a high-level budget ($US) describing how the award will be used, including purchases of hardware or software, salaries, and other costs. (Maximum word count: 300)
5. Dissemination and Evaluation: How will the results of this project be evaluated (if appropriate), and how will they be disseminated to others? Under what general license terms will the results be made available? (Maximum word count: 300)
6. Other Support: Including other contributions to this project (cash, goods, or services), if any, but not including such things as use of university facilities otherwise provided on an ongoing basis. Note that authors of winning proposals will be required to submit an original letter on department letterhead certifying the commitment of any additional or matching support described in the proposal. (Maximum word count: 400)
7. Qualifications of Principal Investigator: Include a brief description of any relevant prior research, teaching, publication, or other professional experience. A detailed vita or list of publications is not required. (Maximum word count: 400)

Selection Process and Criteria

All proposals received will be reviewed by Microsoft Research and eligible proposals will be evaluated by a panel of subject-matter experts chosen by Microsoft Research. Based on evaluations by the review panel, Microsoft Research will select the most worthy proposals for funding. Microsoft Research reserves the right to fund winning proposals at an amount less or greater than the amount requested, up to the stated maximum amount for individual awards. Due to the volume of submissions, Microsoft Research cannot provide individual feedback on proposals that are not funded.

All proposals will be evaluated based upon the following criteria:

1. Novelty and Ambition of the proposed academic research project, as it relates to the Digital Inclusion problem space; well-defined research goals and objectives that, if achieved, have the potential to have a significant impact on the specified research domain.
2. Qualifications of principal investigator, including previous history of work in relevant areas, successful completion of previous funded projects, teaching awards, and publications.
3. Engineering diligence, including interface definitions, testing methodology, and plans for experimental deployment; proposed use of relevant Microsoft technology platforms (see the Technology Resources section below).
4. Through this RFP program, Microsoft is keenly interested in encouraging partnerships between university research teams and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). As such, joint proposals between a university and a partner NGO are strongly encouraged and will receive prime consideration. In the proposed budget, a university team may allocate as much as 20% of the funding to be paid directly to an NGO partner. The maximum total award remains $100,000 per proposal. In the proposal document, please state the name of the partner organization and their proposed work in the project.
5. Ability to complete the project, including the adequacy of resources available, reasonableness of timelines, and number and qualifications of identified contributors; value, which encompasses the efficient use of requested resources and funding.
6. Potential for wide dissemination and use of intellectual property created, including specific plans for publications, conference presentations, and distance learning, as well as plans to distribute content in multiple formats or languages.

Schedule and Deadlines
 

Please send any questions to urinq@microsoft.com. Please put “MSR Digital Inclusion RFP” in the subject line of your e-mail message to ensure a prompt and proper response.
 

Microsoft Word version of this document