Best Technology Grants in Virgin Islands

The Lewis-Houghton Civics and Democracy Initiative, under the Teaching with Primary Sources program, aims to empower organizations in the U.S. and its territories to create innovative projects that leverage digitized primary sources from the Library of Congress. This initiative, named after Reps. Lewis and Houghton, promotes education in civics, democracy, and history, fostering critical thinking and literacy among students. Grants will be awarded based on the proposal's alignment with these educational goals, enhancing community engagement.

Virgin Islands technology researchers and institutions can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to support advanced U.S. postdoctoral and junior faculty scientists. Awards provide salary and research support for mentored biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research in low- and middle-income countries, including data science, emerging technology, and digital information systems projects that generate knowledge relevant to U.S. and global health.

Research institutions developing digital health technologies can apply for funding from the National Institutes of Health to test innovative tools for underserved settings, including the Virgin Islands. Projects must use reciprocal innovation between U.S. and low- and middle-income country partners to improve clinical and public health outcomes through new platforms, systems, or analytics.

U.S. and territory-based disability-led organizations, including those in the Virgin Islands, can apply for US $25,000 - US $70,000 from Borealis Philanthropy’s DIF x Tech Fund to advance disability rights and justice through technology-focused work. Eligible 501(c)(3)s, fiscally sponsored groups, and certain charitable LLC projects must have budgets under $1 million and support equity and inclusion.

Technology-focused legal entities in the Virgin Islands developing impact-driven real-time 3D projects can seek Unity for Humanity support for prototypes or in-production work aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Focused on social, educational, environmental, and humanitarian impact, Unity Technologies invites projects that may advance technology access and digital literacy; awards up to US $500,000 plus technical and marketing support.

Virgin Islands technology and digital literacy organizations can access funding through National Science Foundation to serve as AI-Ready America Coordination Hubs. Eligible public-serving entities may apply for US $3,000,000 - US $4,000,000 to coordinate statewide AI readiness, expand access to AI tools and knowledge, and support workforce upskilling and practical implementation efforts.

Undergraduate students in NOAA-related STEM and social science fields in the Virgin Islands can access funding through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, receiving up to US $40,000 plus a paid summer internship. U.S. citizens enrolled full-time at accredited U.S. or territorial institutions in eligible majors may benefit, including those interested in technology and digital literacy careers.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored groups working on technology access, digital literacy, or technology education and training in the Virgin Islands can apply for funding. Affirm Cares provides support for K–12 coding, bootcamps, and workforce development initiatives, and also considers projects in financial literacy, housing insecurity, and broader community enrichment across the U.S. and its territories.

Organizations and public entities planning broadband projects in rural areas of the Virgin Islands can apply for USDA Rural Development’s Community Connect Grants, awarding US $100,000 - US $5,000,000 for infrastructure and community connectivity. Grants support technology access and digital literacy through high-speed internet, free service to critical facilities, and community centers with public computer access.

Nonprofit organizations delivering technology-focused education, cybersecurity, or AI workforce programs can seek funding that supports underrepresented learners and job seekers, including those in the Virgin Islands. Kyndryl Charitable Foundation provides global technology and digital-skills grants to 501(c)(3) or equivalent organizations working in future-forward education, climate action, and inclusive economic opportunities.

Local churches developing stewardship, technology, or leadership ministries can apply for grants up to US $500 from the Kentucky Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church; awards support AV upgrades, worship tech, and related needs. Grants from Kentucky Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church help Virgin Islands technology access and digital literacy efforts that fit these ministry priorities.

Hawaii high school graduates pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate degrees in medicine, science, technology, engineering, or mathematics at accredited U.S. colleges can receive scholarship support through Hawai'i Community Foundation. Residents of Hawaii, including those interested in technology fields in the Virgin Islands context, must demonstrate financial need and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA to be eligible.

Elementary school PTAs and PTSAs interested in digital safety and well-being programs can apply for National Congress of Parents & Teachers’ PTA Connected: Ready, Tech, Go! grants, awarding US $1,500 for in-person programming. Virgin Islands PTAs promoting technology access and digital literacy for families may be eligible to host these peer-led online safety discussions.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations focused on STEM education, digital literacy, and workforce skills can seek funding that may benefit technology and digital access efforts in the Virgin Islands. Focused on STEM and tech-driven community impact, C Spire Wireless Foundation prioritizes projects in its home region but also considers broader U.S.-based initiatives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations focusing on STEM education, digital literacy, technology skills, and workforce development can seek sponsorship support from C Spire Wireless Foundation. Focused on technology access and digital literacy, the foundation invites groups, including those serving the Virgin Islands, to apply at least 90 days before events, with reviews typically completed in two to three weeks.

Nonprofit organizations running Christian technology, media, youth, or holistic ministries, including those in the Virgin Islands, can apply for project-specific support from the Festus and Helen Stacy Foundation. Grants typically back evangelism, leadership development, digital and media outreach, and services for poor or marginalized communities; 501(c)(3) status and prior foundation relationship are required.

The OpenAI A People-First AI Fund supports U.S.-based nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, focusing on AI literacy, community innovation, and economic opportunity. It aims to enhance public understanding of AI, promote participatory design in AI applications by communities, and expand access to meaningful work through inclusive practices. Organizations at all stages of AI adoption are encouraged to apply, especially those addressing the needs of traditionally marginalized populations. This initiative emphasizes equitable distribution of AI benefits.

Promega Corporate Giving is dedicated to advancing science and improving life globally. With over 45 years of experience, Promega supports initiatives in science, education, and creativity, focusing on innovative solutions and community wellness. They fund organizations in the U.S. and Canada that prioritize experimental initiatives while steering clear of political, religious, and fraternal causes. Their commitment lies in fostering long-term contributions from scientists to meet future global needs.

Future of Work Accelerator

A program of HP Inc. and the HP Foundation

In an increasingly digital world, people without access to technology and the skills to use it are often locked out of economic opportunity. The Accelerator helps scale the impact of organizations that are working to change this.  

Since 2022, the Accelerator has served 35 nonprofit organizations across 13 countries, helping them reach an additional 11.3 million people. 

As a joint program of HP and the HP Foundation, the Accelerator offers selected organizations USD$100,000 in funding, HP technology & solutions (~USD$100,000 value), and a six-month, virtual program designed to strengthen capacity and scale impact.  Exciting changes are ahead for the 5th year of the Accelerator. 

Arnold Ventures

Arnold Ventures (AV) is a philanthropy dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through evidence-based policy solutions that maximize opportunity and minimize injustice. We focus on improving systems where outcomes are falling short, incentives are misaligned, and the time is right for change.

To advance this mission, we invest in rigorous research to better understand the root causes of problems and strengthen the evidence base on what works to solve them. Using this evidence, we advocate for policy reforms at all levels of government and help build durable, bipartisan coalitions for lasting change.

Causal Research on the Impacts of Cell Phone Policies in K-12 Schools

The Opportunity

Smartphones are nearly universal among children and adolescents in the United States: 95% of teens reported having access to a smartphone, giving them regular exposure to social media, gaming, and video streaming platforms. While smartphones can support learning and social connection, emerging evidence suggests that using phones during school may also interfere with important educational goals, including student engagement, attendance, and academic performance.

In response, more than 30 states have passed laws restricting cell phone use in K-12 schools in recent years. These policies vary widely, ranging from “bell-to-bell” policies to classroom-level bans on phones only during instructional time. Despite the rapid adoption of these policies, rigorous evidence on academic, behavioral, and mental health impacts remains limited. In the absence of strong research, federal and state policymakers, as well as school and district leaders, lack the information needed to make informed decisions that effectively support student success. Building a robust evidence base is critical for shaping policies and practices that improve learning and well-being in both the short- and long-term.

This RFP seeks to address these gaps by supporting rigorous, causal research on the academic, behavioral, and mental health impacts of cell phone policies in K-12 schools in the United States. We seek studies that generate actionable insights for policymakers, as well as school and district leaders, who are deciding whether and how to implement or refine such policies. This RFP will support both Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and Quasi-Experimental Designs (QEDs) that can credibly estimate causal effects. While we are open to a range of research questions, we highlight 2 areas of particular interest below.

What are the overall impacts of policies restricting cell phone use in K-12 schools?

• What are the short- and long-term impacts of cell phone policies on student-level outcomes, including academic achievement and attainment (e.g., standardized test scores, graduation rates), behaviors (e.g., engagement, attendance, disciplinary actions), and/or mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety, loneliness)?

• What are the short- and long-term impacts of cell phone policies on school-level outcomes, including school safety (e.g., reported incidents), school climate (e.g., bullying, social connections), and administrative factors (e.g., costs, logistics, communications with parents)?

• Do initial impacts persist, fade, or grow as schools refine their practices over time?

What factors explain variation in the impacts of cell phone policies?

• Which students, schools, and districts are most impacted by cell phone policies?

• Which policy design features (e.g., what devices are banned, when devices are banned, how devices are stored/locked) make cell phone policies more — or less — effective?

• Which implementation strategies (e.g., training and supports for school staff, consistent approaches for enforcement) make cell phone policies more — or less — effective?

• How do the resource and operational implications of different policy approaches (e.g., costs, staff time, infrastructure needs) influence their effectiveness? How do these factors affect the scalability and sustainability of effective approaches?

Beyond the Net Grant Program

The Internet Society Foundation’s Beyond the Net Grant Program offers funding to support Internet Society Chapters to implement innovative projects that make a local impact by providing meaningful access to an open, trusted, and globally-connected Internet, as well as strengthening the Chapters’ presence in the surrounding community. 

Program Objectives

• Strengthen the impact of the Internet Society and the Internet Society Foundation’s mission and global initiatives with complementary local activities. 
• Develop new and strengthen existing relationships and partnerships at the local level.

Focus Areas

The Foundation will support Internet Society Chapters to implement initiatives within one or more of the following thematic areas:

Projects that support community-centered connectivity for unconnected and under-connected populations by providing easy, sustainable solutions, and training on productive use of the Internet.

Projects that make access affordable and resilient for unconnected and under-connected populations by improving, supporting, or advocating for the development of local Internet interconnection infrastructure (e.g., IXPs).

Projects that equip recently connected people with knowledge and skills to protect themselves and their communities online.

Projects that advocate for and educate policy makers, courts, decision makers, and commercial entities about threats to the Internet as an open and accessible platform for free expression and the exchange of ideas, safeguarding fundamental rights, ensuring the well-being of users, and fostering trust in digital technologies.

The Bernie Smillie Memorial Scholarship was established in 2010, in memory of Freeland resident and business owner Bernie Smillie. Bernie passed away in 2000, due to complications from a lung transplant he had received in 1994. In 2005, family and friends of Bernie established the Bernie Smillie Memorial Golf Outing. Proceeds of this outing has helped to promote organ donor support and awareness and establish this scholarship fund.

Bernie Smillie Memorial Scholarship - Michigan Resident

Evaluation Criteria

• Financial need (20)
• Work experience (20)
• Overall involvement at work, school and community activities (20)
• Career goals as demonstrated in essay (20)
• Letters of recommendation

Graduating high school seniors and current college students pursuing degrees or CTE training in fields like technology or engineering can receive scholarship support, with priority for GEMS members. Grants from Saginaw Community Foundation help Virgin Islands technology access and digital literacy students see how a similar community-focused scholarship model supports educational advancement.

Eligible tribal governments and related entities can seek funding to expand broadband access on Tribal Land or support remote learning, telework, and telehealth programs, including projects serving the Virgin Islands. DOC NIST ERA’s Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program offers US $500,000 - US $25,000,000 for technology access and digital inclusion initiatives across eligible U.S. tribal communities.

Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian entities seeking technology access and digital literacy funding can apply for this national digital equity program, with awards from US $500,000 - US $2,500,000. With a mission to expand digital equity, DOC NIST ERA provides Native entities, including those serving the Virgin Islands, with a single application for two federal programs.

The Career Development Grants, offered by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), support women with bachelor's degrees seeking to advance or change careers, particularly in high-growth STEM fields. These grants fund post-bachelor's coursework, including master's degrees or certifications, at accredited institutions. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to their educational pursuits and meet specific eligibility criteria, such as being enrolled in accredited programs that promote women's participation in underrepresented fields.

The FRS Community Grant Program supports rural communities served by NTCA members, offering grants up to $5,000 for various local initiatives. Priority is given to projects that promote economic development, education, health, and public service. Eligible applicants must secure a 10% match of the grant amount requested. Ineligible projects include overhead expenses, individuals, and those without secured funding. FRS aims to foster sustainable and engaged rural communities through these efforts.