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Applying to the Year 5 Challenge Evaluation Committee
The Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN) is looking for experts to assess Year 5 of the PIT-UN Network Challenge proposals. The Evaluation Committee plays a critical role in reviewing applications from Network members and determining a shortlist of projects to recommend for funding to the Advisory Board.
The Challenge is a grant initiative designed to support the development of public interest technology programs within academia by encouraging new ideas, fostering collaboration, and incentivizing resource and information sharing among Network members. In 2022, 18 proposals from 48 member institutions were awarded a total of $2.3 million in grant funds.
This year the Challenge will prioritize projects that center on the needs of communities that have historically been excluded from access to new technology, decision-making about technology and policy, and opportunities to join the technology workforce. You can find more information on the Year 5 Challenge here.
Evaluation committee participants will receive a small stipend for their time and effort on the committee.
Hear From Previous EC Members
I enjoyed serving on the Evaluation Committee because it gave me the opportunity to learn about leading public interest tech work at a number of universities, while also allowing me to help shape investments that broaden and strengthen the field of public interest technology. This year, I’m excited to see how PIT-UN’s increased commitment to designing for equity in PIT projects is reflected in applications from the large number of universities now in the Network.
My work as an Evaluation Committee member was invigorating and a real chance to consider issues at the broader level of the PIT field. It was a chance to bring the expertise I use in my day-to-day work to help seed investments that are building public interest tech in universities around the country. The committee members really took their jobs seriously, came prepared, and asked critical questions.
I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Why should you get involved?
Participation in the Evaluation Committee is a great opportunity to help advance a new field of study and position the next generation of computer scientists, information architects, and data scientists to design, build, and govern new technologies that promote the public interest.
The Challenge initiative provides PIT-UN and their partnering institutions and organizations funding support to design and implement innovative human-centered solutions to drive policy benefits for the public. By lending their expertise, Evaluation Committee participants can help fuel the public interest technology movement and help grow a diverse pipeline of civic-minded technologists.
What do Evaluation Committee members do?
EC members will review Challenge applications using a scoring matrix and will meet (virtually) to determine a shortlist of top contenders in each of the following priority areas:
- Educational Offerings
- Career Pipeline and Placement
What is the commitment?
Reviewers will participate in a 60-minute virtual training session on April 27, 2023, at 11:00 am EDT and should expect to spend about 10 hours from May 26, 2023, through June 16, 2023, reviewing proposals.
If you cannot commit to these dates and workload, please do not apply.
How to apply?
Applications will be accepted until 5:00 pm EDT on April 21, 2023
Interested will submit their application, upload a CV/resume, a profile/headshot, and a 150-word bio in the PIT-UN grant management platform Submittable. The PIT-UN Challenge team will be in touch via email before April 20, 2023, if your background, expertise, and interests are a strong fit for the Year 5 Challenge EC. At that time, we will confirm your attendance at the mandatory training session on April 27, 2023.
Public Interest Technology University Network Conflict of
Interest Policy and Recusal Policy
Conflict of Interest Policy
A conflict of interest can arise when a set of circumstances create a risk that an Evaluation Committee member’s professional judgment or actions will be unduly influenced by a secondary, private interest and might lead to an excess benefit transaction or what could be perceived to be a corruptive practice. The Challenge requires all Evaluation Committee members to disclose any and all real or potential conflicts of interest as soon as they are known and to openly withdraw from voting on any issues or decisions in which they have conflicts of interest.
Examples of conflicts of interest are:
- Current employment at the applicant institution
- A relationship with an investigator or individual applying, including (but not limited to):
- Collaborating on a project, book, article, report, or paper within the last 48 months
- Co-editing a journal, compendium, or conference proceedings with the last 24 months
- Having a formal business or professional partnership
- A known family or personal friendship that might affect a member’s judgment or be seen as doing so by a person familiar with the relationship
EVALUATOR APPLICATION AND FORMS
Year 5 2023 Previous 2022 Evaluator Committee Application Sample
Year 5 2023 New Evaluator Application Sample
2022 Evaluator Committee Applicants
Items You Will Need To Complete Your Application
- CV or Resume
- Completed W-9 (or W-8 if applicable) form
- Completed and signed Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) form (all banking information is password protected and limited to 1 person at New Venture Fund who is the fiscal sponsor)
New Evaluator Committee Applicants and Previous 2019, 2020, and 2021 Evaluator Applicants
Items You Will Need To Complete Your Application
- CV or Resume
- Completed W-9 (or W-8 if applicable) form
- Completed and signed Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) form (all banking information is password protected and limited to 1 person at New Venture Fund who is the fiscal sponsor)
- Profile picture or headshot in .jpeg or .png file format
- Short 150-word bio
2023 NETWORK CHALLENGE INFORMATION
The 2023 PIT-UN Network Challenge is a limited submission funding opportunity and is ONLY open to members of PIT-UN.
The Network Challenge awards small grants to member colleges and universities that submit proposals related to the following priorities:
- Educational offerings
- Career pipeline and placement
Sample of the 2023 Network Challenge Application online form
Key Dates
Evaluator Committee Training Session
Evaluators must attend one of the sessions. The sessions are closed and only for 2023 Network Challenge Evaluators to orient them to the evaluator platform, the application rubric and best practices in evaluating applications.
Calendar invites will be sent out to approved evaluators.
Evaluation Period
This is time frame that all assigned proposal need to be completed.
Evaluator After Action Debrief
This is a closed session for 2023 Network Challenge Evaluators to discuss the evaluation process and solicit feedback on improvements for 2024.
Do You Have Questions?
Contact us through the email info@pitcases.org
or by clicking below to get answers to any of your questions.