ITU’s Connect2Recover initiative aims to build back better with broadband by reinforcing digital infrastructure and digital ecosystems of countries so that they can better leverage information and communications technologies (ICTs) to support COVID-19 pandemic recovery efforts and preparedness for a post-COVID normal and remain resilient in times of disasters.
This is the first time that the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the specialized agency of the United Nations related to information and communication technologies, is organizing an international competition under Connect2Recover. This offers an unprecedented opportunity to contribute towards digital inclusion during the pandemic.
Looking for fully-funded opportunities, install the Youth Opportunities Android or iOS App here.
The competition aims to:
- Improve research focus on digital resiliency and digital inclusion to build back better with broadband for pandemic recovery;
- Build a global research community of think tanks and academic institutions around digital inclusion; and
- Promote knowledge sharing that informs targeted practices to build back better with broadband.
Through the Connect2Recover initiative, ITU is launching the “Connect2Recover Research Competition” to identify promising research proposals that will accelerate digital inclusion during the COVID-19 recovery globally. ITU is pleased to recognize the support of ITU-D Sector Member Huawei for their support of this competition.
Benefits
- Fifteen (15) research grants worth USD 42,000 each will be awarded to winning research teams.
- Winners will receive initial support from ITU to engage with governments and regulators to gather information and data for their research.
- The Connect2Recover Initiative will enable this knowledge exchange through joint (online) events with the selected research teams and policymakers.
- Winning teams will benefit from great visibility during these events and will have opportunities to present and discuss their research directly with decision makers.
Eligibilities
This competition is open to Academia, including early career researchers and think tanks. Individual experts who are affiliated with academic institutions may also apply. Submissions must clearly elaborate and demonstrate at least one of the following:
- How to carry out studies that can assess the resiliency for digital infrastructure taking into account relevant data sources and formulate forward-looking, actionable policy measures leading to positive outcomes in education, healthcare, or job creation by fostering digital inclusion as the country enters the COVID-19 recovery period?
- How to build back better with broadband along with digital inclusion during the COVID-19 recovery efforts resulting in meaningful connectivity?
- Develop key recommendations on aspects of resilient digital infrastructure supporting education, health, or job creation in the targeted context.
Application Process
The application is composed of the following 5 sections (* indicates compulsory fields)
- Applicant Information (Compulsory section) *
- Lead Applicant’s name *
- Designation / Position / Job title *
- Institution/University *
- Faculty/Department *
- Correspondence address *
- Contact Number *
- Email *
- Brief CV (to be attached) * to be attached or uploaded as doc, docx or pdf file (file size limit is 16MB)
- Brief CV of all team members with clear roles (to be attached)
(Optional) – to combine the CVs into a single file, attached or uploaded as doc, docx or pdf file (file size limit is 16MB)
- Collaborator Information This is optional, to be chosen when you are collaborating with another institution for this competition
- Collaborating Applicant’s name
- Designation / Position / Job title
- Institution/University
- Faculty/Department
- Correspondence address
- Contact number
- Brief CV (to be attached)
- Brief CV of all team members with clear roles (to be attached)
- Proposal Focus Areas
Please tick in the online form (√) all that apply:
Focus:- Digital inclusion
- Digital resiliency
Type of study:
-
- Resilience assessment study
- Case study
- Empirical study
Resiliency assessment:
-
- ISP / Network resilience
- Critical infrastructure resilience
- Market resilience
Delivering outcome:
-
- Education
- Healthcare
- Job creation
Proposal Details (Compulsory section) *
-
- Research title *
- Proposal summary (250 words) *
- Background and rationale (500 words) *
- Research question(s) *
- Research methodology (500 words) *
- Work plan (including timeline) *
- Concise bibliography of key literature (around 10 sources) *
Agreement & Declaration (Compulsory section) *
In this section on the form, you need to agree to the rules of the competition, provide a declaration and sign the application with your full name, date and place.
Looking for fully-funded opportunities, install the Youth Opportunities Android or iOS App here.
Application Deadline: August 31, 2021
Application ClosedOfficial link
