Applications Now Being Accepted for the 2005/2006 Equal Access Initiative Computer Grants Program
The National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of AIDS Research (OAR), seek applications from qualified community-based organizations (CBOs) in the United States, its territories and possessions to participate in the 2005-2006 Equal Access Initiative Computer Grants Program.
One hundred CBOs will be selected on a non-renewable basis to participate in the Computer Grants Program this year. Each participating CBO will receive:
A complete desktop computer system equipped with all necessary hardware, including the central processing unit, monitor, modem, keyboard, mouse and Windows-based software to support Internet connectivity. The computer system will be for use by clients and staff to access treatment and prevention information on the Internet. Please note: Printer is not included.
–$100 to purchase additional software or system upgrades tailored to the specific needs of the CBO, such as database, graphics or virus scan software.
–24-hour telephone support, for one year, for all hardware and software provided by the computer vendor.
–$300 for dedicated telephone line services (specifically for Internet access) and includes installation costs and monthly fees. Any charges above $300, including long-distance charges and all telephone line fees, will be the responsibility of the CBO.
–A $500 grant for an Internet training course, selected by the CBO, for staff and clients. Any training costs above $500 will be the responsibility of the CBO. While NMAC can only provide funding of up to $500 to support these additional client/staff training and support activities, the organization's training plans should not be limited to this amount.
Please note: The 2005-2006 Equal Access Initiative Computer Grants Program will be the last cycle of this program—be sure to submit an application on, or before, the December 1, 2005 deadline to apply for funding.
Eligibility:
Participation in this program is restricted to community-based organizations holding current 501(c)(3) status. Individuals are not eligible. In addition, each CBO must:
–Not have been a recipient of a previous Equal Access Initiative Computer Grant.
–Organizations that have received an Equal Access Initiative Computer Grant in a previous year are not eligible to receive an award during this funding period.
–Be committed to developing and/or expanding HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention education programming for their clients.
–Already have established, or plan to establish, Internet access in some form.
This program is intended to provide clients and staff greater access to Internet-based treatment and prevention education resources. It is not intended to supply general Internet access to the entire CBO.
Please note: Any CBO that meets the above criteria is eligible to apply; however, NMAC is targeting minority CBOs that could not otherwise afford broader client and front-line staff access to Internet-based treatment and prevention education resources. Geographic diversity also will be an important factor in the final selection of participants. Organizations selected to receive a computer grant must agree to participate in all NMAC and OAR Internet programs.
How to Apply:
CBOs interested in participating in this program must complete the attached application form and return the original along with five (5) copies, as well as one (1) copy of a current IRS 501(c)(3) letter, to:
2005/2006 EAI Computer Grants Program
National Minority AIDS Council
1931 13th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009-4432
If you have any questions about the application process, please send an e-mail to equalaccess@nmac.org or contact NMAC's Communication Division directly at (202) 483-6622 extension numbers 322, 333 or 357.
All applications must be received in NMAC's offices by 5:00 p.m. EST on World AIDS Day—Thursday, December 1, 2005.
Please note: Due to the large volume of applications expected, NMAC cannot accept applications by e-mail, fax or online. For more information and to obtain copies of the application, go to www.nmac.org/publications/download_publications/1005.cfm