IEEE Region 10 WIE ATHEnA Project #1 - Theme: Innovative Tech for Caregivers
Objectives
In times when men and women find it difficult to balance their professional life with the responsibilities of their families, a little support can sometimes take a great load off their shoulders and minds and let them focus on their careers.
The ATHEnA (“Advancing Technology for Humanity – Engineers in Action”) Project #1 will support innovative ideas from WIE groups that focus on:
1) using technology to connect, support, or vitalize society’s caregivers (e.g., childcare, eldercare, healthcare) and
2) fostering collaborations with professionals outside of the OU in delivering a solution
The objective of these projects is to:
encourage innovation among members of the WIE community
provide work-life balance
foster interdisciplinary collaborations with OUs and organizations outside of IEEE
empower caregivers through technology
Applicant eligibility
Members of the WIE or Student Branch WIE Affinity Groups of each section. It is encouraged to submit a proposal in collaboration with one or more IEEE OUs or non-IEEE organizations in government, industry, or academia. At least one member from the team should be a WIE member.
All submissions require endorsement from the WIE AG Chair and Section Chair.
Sections are encouraged to coordinate with their Section WIE AG and Student Branch WIE AGs to comprehensively and strategically propose projects.
Funding information
Each accepted proposal will get a maximum of USD$500 per project in accordance with the R10 section matching fund policy.
[ Mandatory requirement ]
Policy of R10 Section Matching Fund
For Large Section projects, R10 will support 50% of total expenses.
For Medium Section projects, R10 will support 75% of total expenses.
For Small Section projects, R10 will support 100% of total expenses.
The remaining funds will have to be supported by the section and/or any other source of funding.
Section Classification
Large Section: 1,501 or more members (including Students) as of 31 December of the prior year.
Medium Section: 501-1,500 members (including Students) as of 31 December of the prior year.
Small Section: 500 or fewer members (including Students) as of 31 December of the prior year.
For example, if the proposed project budget is US $700, then in case of a large Section project the R10 contribution would be US $350 (50%) and for a Medium Section project it will be US $500 (maximum limit) and not US $525 (75%). Similarly, for a small Section project R10 will fund no more than US $500 (maximum limit) even if the budget is US $501.
Important Dates
Call for proposals : 4th March – 5th April 2025
Proposal submission deadline : 5th of April 2025
Acceptance notification : 12th of April, 2025
Execution period of proposed project : 12th of April – 13th July, 2025
Report submission deadline : 20th July, 2025
Final evaluation : Last week of July 2025
Reimbursement claims
If the special funding request has been initially approved, the WIE Affinity Group must submit an activity report with details on the use of funds by the final report deadline. Final date to submit all reports with copies of supporting invoices/receipts in PDF file via the IEEE platform is July 20, 2025.
Funding payments will be transferred to the relative IEEE Sections after receiving all reports. R10 will NOT transfer funds if the full activity and finance (income & expense) reports are not submitted on time.
The activity report may be published in the IEEE R10 Newsletter, R10 WIE website and/or social media platforms.
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Proposal submission
See “Terms of Reference”: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1I4BEf9AgJ-N6RFfQ_wO4sQc0CvyY6vk4cqi9Tj26rx4/edit?usp=sharing
Send completed proposal form to: r10-wiec-chairs-2025@listserv.ieee.org
Contact information
For enquiries contact R10 WIE Committee Chairs at: r10-wiec-chairs-2025@listserv.ieee.org