Tech for Social Good - UC Davis

CITRIS and the Banatao Institute

Tech Development

The Tech For Social Good Program provides funding support of $500 – $5,000 for pilot projects that promote social good by supporting healthy, sustainable, prosperous, and equitable livelihoods within underserved communities in the United States and abroad.  

Projects that use online tools, including social media, mapping interfaces, and websites to enhance public engagement in cultural, political, social, and economic issues are encouraged, as well as innovative business, marketing and development applications. Proposals will be accepted in one or more of the following areas: field testing; market research and impact or life cycle cost/benefit analysis; assessment of financial viability; and/or development of innovative technological solutions, product or system designs that demonstrate effectiveness in promoting social good and have the potential for scale‐up. Projects need not encompass all of these components, and projects devoted to developing new solutions, technologies and/or advancing fundamental knowledge essential to sustainable practices are encouraged.

Projects must support collaboration between students across diverse disciplines; advance technological innovation that promotes healthy, sustainable, connected, and equitable livelihoods within underserved communities; and foster engagement with community or campus organizations and stakeholders.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Will there be an info session?

  • Yes, we will hold an info session on Thurs., January 23 at 5:00 pm (Room 1065, Kemper Hall). Please register here.

Who is eligible and how can I apply?

  • Undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral student teams of at least 2 students are eligible to apply. Please note that all projects must include undergraduate students. The number of undergraduate students involved should be equal to or greater than the number of graduate and postdoctoral students involved.

What are the deadlines for applying? 

  • Deadline for the Tech Development application is Mon., Feb. 17 at 11:59 pm PT:
  • Recipients of Tech Development awards will be announced in mid-February 2020.

How much funding can I apply for?

  • Tech Development applicants can apply for funding from $500 – $5,000, per academic year.
  • Only one application per student and team will be accepted per academic year.
  • You must complete the budget template form (.xls template) and submit with your online application.

What are the requirements for a Tech Development application? 

  • Teams of at least 2 people, maximum of 4 people. Please note that all projects must include undergraduate students. The number of undergraduate students involved should be equal to or greater than the number of graduate and postdoctoral students involved.
  • Teams should be composed of individuals from different academic disciplines who are currently enrolled.
  • Teams must have a UC Davis faculty or staff member to serve as their advisor and to manage the funding. You must include the name and contact information for your faculty/staff advisor on your application form and submit the signed “Project Advisor Approval Form.” The form is REQUIRED in your application.
  • Teams are strongly encouraged to identify a university or non-university community partner to engage with in the implementation of their technology. If a community partner cannot be identified at this time, you will be asked to specify how your team will identify a community partner on your application.
  • Teams should be composed of undergraduate students, graduate students, and/or postdocs.
    • Proposals must have a faculty mentor or sponsoring campus entity identified.
    • All applicants must be affiliated with UC Davis.
  • Research projects should be capable of implementation/initial field tests by May 2020.
  • Projects shall have a mechanism for progress evaluations, metrics collections and follow-up after funding has been disbursed.  The project plan must include a detailed plan for tracking, recording, and reporting these benefits back to the Tech for Social Good Review Committee.
  • Projects must have publicity, education and outreach considerations, including a minimum of two “blog” posts or articles, and multimedia documentation (e.g., photos and video) to be shared via the CITRIS and the Banatao Institute website.
  • Project work is expected to be completed from time funds are received by the end of August 2020.
  • All project teams must present their in-progress work at the Engineering Design Showcase on Thurs., June 4, 2020, 1-4 pm, UC Davis ARC Pavilion.
  • PLEASE NOTE: It is your responsibility to determine if your project includes “Human Subjects Research.” If yes, you must ensure that all IRB approvals, if necessary, have been obtained before work on your project begins. NO FUNDS WILL BE ALLOCATED FOR ANY PART OF YOUR PROJECT if verification in the form of the review letter from IRB has not been received. More information on IRB requirements available at http://research.ucdavis.edu/policiescompliance/irb-admin/researchers/

What types of projects are funded?

  • We are soliciting proposals for pilot projects that promote social good through both technological as well as systems development advances to support healthy, sustainable, prosperous, and equitable livelihoods within underserved communities in the United States and abroad.  Projects that use online tools, including social media, mapping interfaces, and websites to enhance public engagement in cultural, political, social, and economic issues are encouraged, as well as innovative business, marketing and development applications. Proposals will be accepted in one or more of the following areas: field testing; market research and impact or life cycle cost/benefit analysis; assessment of financial viability; and/or development of innovative technological solutions, product or system designs that demonstrate effectiveness in promoting social good and have the potential for scale‐up. Projects need not encompass all of these components, and projects devoted to developing new solutions, technologies and/or advancing fundamental knowledge essential to sustainable practices are encouraged.
  • Project proposals should demonstrate:
    • Collaboration: Foster collaboration between UC Davis faculty, staff, and students across diverse disciplines.
    • Innovation: Support innovations/systems development advances that promote healthy, sustainable, prosperous, and equitable development within underserved communities.
    • Community Engagement: Foster engagement between faculty, staff and students with community organizations and stakeholders.
  • For example funded projects, please visit the Funded Projects page.

What entrepreneurial training opportunities are available to teams funded through the Tech for Social Good Tech Development track?

  • funded students get access to the Engineering Student Startup Center and coaching
  • At the end of the 2019-2020 Tech for Social Program, students have the opportunity to apply for acceptance into the PLASMA program and CITRIS Foundry Program.

What is the timeline to apply for and receive funding through the Tech for Social Good Tech Development track? 

  • Thurs., Jan. 23 5:00 – 6:00 pm PT (Room 1065, Kemper Hall): Tech for Social Good Info Session. Please register here.
  • Mon., Feb. 17 at 11:59 pm PT: Tech for Social Good Tech Development Track Deadline
  • Mid- to Late February: Awardees Announced
  • Late February: Funds Distributed
  • June 4, 2020, 1-4 pm PT: All project teams must present their in-progress work at the Engineering Design Showcase on Thurs., June 4, 2020, 1-4 pm, UC Davis ARC Pavilion.
  • August 2020: Project must be completed