Media/Technology Prize

The Goldman Sachs Foundation Media & Technology Prize will recognize a program within a U.S. based public or private for-profit or non-profit organization that has developed outstanding programs that use media/technology to educate students or teachers about other world regions and cultures, or international issues.

Contents:

Eligibility Criteria Advice for Applicants Timetable Application Procedure Instructions for On-line Application Help desk

Eligibility
Any program within a U.S. based public or private for-profit or non-profit organization that demonstrates an innovative use of media or information technology to help K-12 American students or teachers learn about other world regions, languages and cultures, or international issues. Eligible programs include the following globally-themed initiatives geared toward either students or educators:

• Distance Learning
• Online Community Building
• Online or video collaborative projects or simulations
• Educational multimedia games
• Streaming audio or video program series

Applicants must have a clear focus on raising American awareness of the world. The awards jury recognizes projects or programs that demonstrate excellence, rather than those in development or seeking funding.  Please note that individual schools and/or districts are not eligible for this award.

Criteria
In your application, please address how your school meets the following criteria:

• Creativity in communicating compelling, substantive international content;
• Innovative applications of technology to:

a) effectively promote international knowledge to a large and diverse community of K-12 U.S. students
OR
b) connect U.S. students and teachers to those in other parts of the world; and

• Capacity to enable large numbers of students and teachers to acquire international knowledge and skills through:

(a) breadth of reach as a model
OR
(b) potential to be a replicable model.

Advice for Applicants

• Be as specific as possible. The narrative portion of the application is the most important; it allows reviewers to get a full picture of the organization. Be sure to address each award criteria as completely as possible.
• Where possible, cite numbers to illustrate reach and breadth of your work.
• Letters of support are very helpful in bringing a program to life and in giving an outside perspective. Choose letter writers who are familiar with the program and who can address how the international dimension of the program impacts student and teacher learning.

Timetable

Media/Technology Prize Applications Due	December 1, 2008
Award Ceremony for 2007 Winners	March 2009

Application Procedure
Candidates can be nominated or apply directly. All must submit the following information:

1. Contact Information and Organization Profile
2. Narrative essays addressing each of the criteria (not to exceed 500 words per essay) describing the organization's efforts to improve international knowledge and skills for students and teachers, and in what respect this work is in keeping with the aims of the awards program.
3. Three letters of support from individuals or organizations familiar with the organization's work.
4. OPTIONAL: Supporting materials are intended to highlight aspects of your program/organization’s commitment to improving international knowledge and skills that were not addressed in your response to the previous criteria. These can include, but are not limited to, websites, audio files, and/or video files. Unfortunately, we cannot accept email attachments or uploaded files on our website. Therefore, please submit up to three URLs linking to your optional supporting materials.
   

Instructions for On-line Application
The following instructions will guide you through the simple on-line application process. Please prepare your contact information, organization profile, and narrative, then click on the button to the upper right to apply on-line.

Before you begin: Click here to download a PDF [What is a PDF?] of the application questions. Use the PDF to help you prepare the applicant contact and profile information. The PDF contains the exact information and questions you will have to answer on the online application. The PDF is for reference only. No paper or email submissions will be accepted. Only applications submitted online will be reviewed.

Step 1: Click here to submit an online application: http://gsfprizes.org/

Step 2: You will first choose your own secure username and password. You can use this to return to your application as often as you like to add to or change your responses before your final submission.

Step 3: Fill in your contact information and organization profile.

Step 4: Fill in your responses to the 7 criteria. Please note that the text box for each essay is limited to 500 words, you will not be able to submit more than 500 words per essay.

Step 5: Upload 3 required letters of support.

Step 6: Upload up to 3 optional supporting materials.

Step 7: Submit your application. When you are finished entering in all information you will be given the option to review your application and submit it. ONCE YOUR APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CHANGE IT. You will be emailed a confirmation automatically upon submission.

Help desk
For program questions, read the FAQ. If your questions are not addressed, please e-mail [email protected].

......................................................................
Notes

What is a PDF?
PDF is an Adobe Acrobat file. Most computers have this installed. If you cannot access the document, you have to go to www.adobe.com/products/acrobat for the free Adobe Acrobat download.