Microsoft Research Strives to Narrow Global Technology Gap

October 20, 2005; 11:26 AM

Underscoring its commitment to the academic research community, Microsoft Research announced a $1.2 million Digital Inclusion funding opportunity that empowers academic researchers worldwide to tackle technological challenges to positively affect health, education and socioeconomic conditions.

Being digitally connected has become ever more critical to global economic, educational and social advancement. Through a request for proposal (RFP) process, Microsoft Research is encouraging academic research that explores how technologies such as mobile devices, cellular phones and networking can unlock the potential of people everywhere by making computing affordable, accessible and relevant.

In addition, Microsoft Research unveiled its Inspire program, designed to promote interaction between academics from developing and developed countries in Africa, Europe and the Middle East while recognizing exceptional students from developing countries who want to embark on a research career.

Both initiatives seek to support growth in computational research and technological uptake in developing countries. With the Digital Inclusion funding opportunity and Inspire’s sponsorship of researchers and lecturers, Microsoft Research aims to develop the intellectual capital needed to help close the existing global technology gap.

“The personal and informational connections made possible through computing and communications technology are becoming ever more critical to economic, educational and social progress,” said Rick Rashid, senior vice president of Microsoft Research.

“Funding from a high-profile organization like Microsoft Research lends a sense of urgency and legitimacy for rigorous research in a field where, despite the potential for significant social impact, scholarly work is still patchy,” said Balaji Parthasarathy, winner of the India ICT4D RFP, from the Indian Institute of Information Technology in Bangalore.