Verizon, in collaboration with MIT Solve, has announced the Verizon Disaster Resilience Prize to support innovative, technology-driven solutions aimed at enhancing disaster resilience across the United States. Verizon, a leading telecommunications company, and MIT Solve, a marketplace for social impact innovation, have partnered to identify and reward impactful projects that empower communities to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from weather-related disasters.
The primary objectives of the Prize are to identify solutions that enhance early warning systems and disaster preparedness, improve emergency response and resource coordination, strengthen infrastructure to protect vulnerable communities, and support long-term recovery and community resilience. The competition specifically seeks projects that focus on aiding communities at greater risk and ensuring equitable resilience measures are available across diverse populations.
Funding for this opportunity totals $1,000,000, which will be distributed evenly among four winning solutions, each working within the United States. Each awarded solution will receive $250,000 in prize funding. The funding aims to accelerate the development and implementation of innovative projects that contribute to disaster resilience.
Eligibility criteria emphasize solutions operating within the United States that directly address disaster resilience. While the detailed eligibility terms are not explicitly stated in the provided materials, it is clear that the competition targets entities with viable, innovative, and impactful solutions relevant to the specified objectives.
The timeline for the Verizon Disaster Resilience Prize is as follows: the Prize launched on April 8, the application period will close on June 13, applicant screening will occur between June and July, finalists will be selected by late July, and finalists will pitch to the prize judges in early August. The winner announcement will take place in late September. Details regarding application clinics and virtual office hours are mentioned but were not included in the provided content.
Specific contact information was not provided in the text. However, applicants are directed to apply through the MIT Solve platform, where further guidance and FAQ support are likely available. There are references to Application Clinics & Virtual Office Hours, suggesting opportunities for applicants to engage with organizers for support during the application process.
