News 9 of 14

** Kindly note that the deadline for submission for this competition round has been extended to 4 April 2004. We regret to inform that any late submission of application will not be considered for the competition.

The Pan Asia ICT R&D Grants Programme is pleased to announce the March 2004 Competition round for ICT R&D grant applicants from the Asia Pacific region.

This open theme competition welcomes proposals in the following areas

• Research and development into innovative ICT applications, with a clear focus on practical and replicable approaches and techniques.
• Research on Internet infrastructure design, performance, management policy and related topics.
• Development of practical solutions based on the application of proven and readily available Internet technologies with minimum basic research.
• Research on the outcomes and social impacts of specific ICT policies and interventions and application of Internet technologies.
• Research on policy matters affecting Internet networking in the Asia Pacific region, especially where linked to areas such as policy impacts, gender equity, social equity, sustainable communities, and technology diffusion/transfer and benefits to rural areas.
• Technology related issues such as Broadband Connectivity, Last mile innovation, Mobile and Wireless technologies for the developing world and Increasing the capacity / efficiency of existing network infrastructures.

We will not entertain proposals which fall outside the scope of the grants programme

Interested organizations/institutions from the Asia Pacific region may apply for below mentioned two types of grants:

• Grants, up to a maximum budget of US$9,000 will be available over a term not exceeding 12 months.
• Grants, up to a maximum budget of US$30,000 will be available over a term not exceeding 24 months.

Kindly note that the deadline for submission for this competition round jas been extended to 4 April 2004. We regret to inform that any late submission of application will not be considered for the competition.

The grants committee will screen all proposals, and the results will be made known by May 2004.

2004-01-01

News 9 of 14