The Mobile Solutions for Development in Asia Award seeks to identify and highlight promising mobile solutions, including mobile services, apps, and other innovative uses of mobile technologies. Specifically, the purpose is to recognize mobile solutions that have the potential to impact development outcomes in climate change, food security, health, governance, and biodiversity in Southeast Asia.

All relevant submissions will be catalogued and shared with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other development organizations through a handbook focused on integrating mobile solutions into development projects. The goal is to promote promising solutions and to encourage the use of mobile technology by USAID and its partners. This contest also feeds into USAID’s broader goals of harnessing the power of science, technology, innovation and partnerships to produce breakthroughs that deliver development impact more quickly, efficiently, and at greater scale than existing approaches.

In addition, the strongest applicants will be invited to present their solutions at a Mobile Solutions Forum on January 6th, 2014 in Bangkok, Thailand. The Forum will be attended by USAID staff from across Asia, other donors, NGOs, technology companies, mobile network operators, and others. Up to five finalists will receive a paid trip to Bangkok, including economy-class flights, up to two nights of lodging, and up to three days of per diem. Note: Finalists located within the greater Bangkok metro area will not receive a flight, lodging or per diem.

The total amount of funding available for all awards is USD $10,000, which will be provided as two individual awards ($6k for first place, $4k for second place). Each of the two winners will be required to submit a budget and activity plan for approval to undertake a short term activity to further learning and understanding in the space of mobiles for development (i.e. developing a publication, advertising their product, training for staff, travel to a conference to promote their application, scoping trip for expansion, etc.).