Public Interest Technology University Network Announces the 2023 Network Challenge Grantees

The Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN) is excited to announce our 2023 Network Challenge Grantees, whose public interest technology (#PIT) projects will advance equitable innovation in technology across academia, government and civil society.

Each 2023 project has a clear focus on equity and justice – key pillars of the field – increasing access to PIT education and careers and advancing technology that serves all communities, especially those historically excluded from technology design. At a time when technology is shaping every facet of our lives, these projects demonstrate how PIT-UN is preparing a new generation of technologists who understand technology’s societal impacts and have the skills to build rights, justice, social welfare and the public good into its design, deployment and governance across business, government and wider social contexts. 

The Network Challenge grants are exclusively available via application to members of PIT-UN, comprised of 63 diverse academic institutions working to strengthen public interest technology as a discipline and a career. Since 2019, the Network Challenge has provided over $15 million to 145 projects that have built new courses, research centers, community and government partnerships, certificates and degrees, internships, fellowships and more. Learn more about past Network Challenge projects here.

Applications to the Network Challenge are judged and selected by an Evaluation Committee of PIT leaders from across industry, government, nonprofits and academia. The people in this growing network are among the strongest champions and ambassadors for public interest technology.

The Network and its Challenge Grants are funded through the support of the Ford Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, Mastercard Impact Fund with support from the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, Schmidt Futures and The Siegel Family Endowment.