Impact Through Computer Literacy - Empowering the People of Kerala, India

In 2021, the Diversity and Inclusion Fund was launched by the IEEE Computer Society to invest in and empower our community to increase inclusivity in computing. Five project proposals were accepted into the first cohort to receive funding.

Among the first recipients of grant funding is the IEEE CS Kerala Section for their program to increase computer literacy over three phases in the state of Kerala, India.

The first group focused on educating women from rural communities. This training was hosted by the IEEE Branch chapters and Women in Engineering at three engineering colleges including NSS College of Engineering, Palakkad; Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi; and, Government Engineering College, Kozhikode. For the first phase of this project, 150 women were in attendance.

After great success, the project is now preparing for its second phase on 12-13 November 2022. This next phase aims to impart the basics of STEM education and digital literacy to school-age children.

Bringing this project to a close will be a hackathon with diversity and inclusion at the heart of its theme.

Submit a Proposal for Funding

For its second year, the IEEE Computer Society is quadrupling its investment to impact equity and inclusivity with a $400,000 USD contribution to the Diversity and Inclusion Fund.

We encourage all submissions that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in computing, and can be completed within a year. Your proposal should fall within the $5,000 to $15,000 USD

 range.

More information on the Diversity and Inclusion Fund and proposal guidelines can be found in our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Project and program ideas include, but are not limited to:

• Hackathons, competitions, mentoring circles, outreach projects, and other programs that allow participants to be hands-on.
• Workshops and panel discussions that bring together diverse perspectives and experiences to advance D&I education and advocacy.
• Courses, training, reports, and other communications that promote awareness of diversity and inclusion in computing.