Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN) Challenge

The Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN) is a partnership of colleges and universities committed to educating students who can better apply technical understanding and practice to questions of individual rights, justice, social welfare, and the public good, particularly for those members of our society least well served historically and today by existing systems and policies.

The Network Challenge provides grant funding of up to $100K to support research and training at the intersection of technology and public benefit. Previous grantees and projects can be viewed here.

This is a limited submission, so there will be an internal competition to determine which submissions will be made on behalf of Cal Poly. 

Who may apply?

This opportunity is open to all full-time faculty (including both tenure-line and lecturers), MPP (management personnel plan), or staff employees at Cal Poly or Cal Poly Partners. A person may be listed as the PI on only one Challenge application, but individuals may be listed as collaborators on multiple applications.

Anticipated 2025 Timeline (subject to change):

Week of March 31: Release of internal RFP
April 14: Deadline to submit the interest form to sfabro@calpoly.edu
May 19: Cal Poly will submit the winning applications to meet the National PIT-UN deadline

Please view the 2024 RFP here

(New materials will be posted here when the 2025 RFP is released).

If you have questions, please reach out to:
Matthew Harsh, PIT Co-Designee mharsh@calpoly.edu
Stephanie Fabro, Grants Analyst sfabro@calpoly.edu
To schedule a meeting: https://calendly.com/sfabro/30min