We are just about to close our first Tech4Good Call for Proposals of the year, but more opportunities will be added to the funding opportunities calendar on the new website in the coming months. If you are a student, be sure to look at the EPICS in IEEE Call for Service Learning Projects, which will be a great way to get some real-life experience.

If you would like to be considered for the 2026 Humanitarian Technologies Board, please be sure to apply by 15 June. Each of the HT programs always need volunteers to support the work that they do, so I encourage you to consider how you might help. The more people that volunteer to support HT programs, the more those programs can do great work across the world.

And always remember IEEE’s tagline, Advancing Technology for the Benefit of Humanity. That is what we are all here for.

Sincere regards,
 Grayson Randall

The deadline to apply for the 2025 IEEE Tech4Good call for proposals has been extended through 31 March. Tech4Good provides funding so that active IEEE members may implement projects that address local challenges and utilize tech to achieve social impact in their community. Teams can apply for up to US$10,000 for a proposal related to one of these themes:

• Agricultural Technology (SDG 2: Zero Hunger)
• Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) Technology (SDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitation)
• Clean Energy and Sustainable Power (SDG 7: Affordable & Clean Energy)
• Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Digital Connectivity (SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)

See the Tech4Good call for proposals landing page for more details.

EPICS in IEEE is accepting proposals for service learning projects that connect students, IEEE members, and nonprofits to address local technological needs. Projects must involve an IEEE member and a nonprofit partner and can focus on any of the IEEE Pillars: Environment, Education & Outreach, Access and Abilities, or Human Services. Selected projects are eligible to receive up to US$10,000 in funding, mentorship, and resources and the deadline is 1 May 2025. Join a virtual event to hear from past project leaders and gain insights on creating impactful proposals and securing funding.

Calling all innovators to enter the 2025 IEEE Connecting the Unconnected Challenge! Start-ups, grassroots organizations, universities, and others working toward digital inclusion in original ways are encouraged to participate. Help IEEE contribute to worldwide digital inclusion by submitting a novel, early-stage project or concept that offers unique ways to increase internet access and usage for the 2.9 billion unconnected people around the world. Submit your 500 word abstract by 16 May 2025.

There are many reasons to celebrate the outstanding work accomplished by SIGHT volunteers each year. IEEE SIGHT Day on 28 April is a time to foster a spirit of community for the global SIGHT network, increase awareness of IEEE SIGHT within IEEE, and celebrate the impact SIGHT volunteers and Groups are making. 

SIGHT Groups are encouraged to organize and host their own activities throughout the month of April to celebrate SIGHT Day with their members, those from their Student Branch or Section, or other SIGHT Groups around the world. Groups may write to [email protected] to request a guest speaker or to share an invitation with a larger audience.

The registrations for Empower a Billion Lives have been robust, with new registrations coming in daily, so the deadline has been extended to 31 March 2025. Register now to submit your proposal for scalable solutions to energy access.

Make an impact on the future STEM workforce and on those affected by disasters by becoming an IEEE MOVE volunteer. IEEE MOVE is primarily a mobile communications support program assisting with disaster relief efforts. The MOVE vehicles are also taken to schools, fairs, and other venues to educate the public on leading technologies and their positive impact on society. Sign up to volunteer today.

The IEEE International Humanitarian Technology Conference (IHTC) is an interdisciplinary conference series organized by IEEE Region 8 (Africa, Europe, and the Middle East), IEEE Region 7 (Canada), and IEEE Region 9 (Latin America and the Caribbean). IEEE IHTC 2025 will be hosted at the University of Alberta (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) from 13 - 15 August. To register or submit a paper for the conference, visit the website for more information.

IEEE R10 HTC2025, organized and hosted by the IEEE Tokyo Section, will be held at Chiba University of Commerce, Japan, from 29 September to 01 October. With the theme “Beyond SDGs – A New Humanitarian Era with Intelligent Partners,” the conference aims to underscore society’s rising expectations for humanitarian technologies to deliver practical, enduring solutions. Papers should be submitted by 25 April. Visit the HTC2025 website for details.

The 15th IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC 2025) is a flagship, international conference sharing effective approaches, best practices, and practical and/or scholarly technology-enabled interventions that address the needs of underserved and marginalized communities around the world. This year IEEE GHTC 2025 will highlight and explore “Technologies in Context” as its annual theme. The conference will be hosted at the Colorado School of Mines (Colorado, USA) from 22 - 25 October.

Full Paper and oral-only presentations should be submitted by 16 May. See the GHTC website to register and for more information.

Important Dates & Upcoming Events

• 28 March - Deadline to sign up to participate in the Tech4Good Challenge: Lebanon & Tunisia
• 31 March - Deadline to apply for the Tech4Good call for proposals
• 31 March - Registration deadline to participate in Empower a Billion Lives
• 25 April - Paper submission deadline to the R10 HTC2025
• 28 April - IEEE SIGHT Day
• 2 May - Paper submission deadline for the IEEE International Humanitarian Technology Conference (IHTC)
• 16 May - Paper submission deadline for the IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference
• 13 - 15 August - IEEE IHTC 2025 (University of Alberta)

Visit the HTB/SIGHT calendar for more humanitarian technology events and activities.