CommerceNet awards $2 million in grants to Next Generation Internet application developersCupertino 17 October 2001 CommerceNet and the California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency, Division of Science, Technology, and Innovation, are awarding nearly $2 million in funding to five businesses, two universities and a foundation to support their continuing development of Next Generation Internet (NGI) Applications. Grant recipients include 3DGeo Development, Commerce One, Kenamea, The Pangea Foundation, Sophica, Strain Monitor Systems, UCLA's Advanced Policy Institute and the San Diego Supercomputer Center at UCSD.
From the proposals submitted by commercial companies and non-profit institutions, CommerceNet chose these eight organizations based on two primary criteria: the exemplary, direction-setting use of the NGI infrastructure by the application proposed, and the potential of the technology for stimulating economic growth and social improvement for individuals, companies, industries, regions, and communities throughout California.
An expert panel of reviewers helped CommerceNet reach its final decisions. The field of winners covers a wide range of application areas. Global trading, multi-modal Internet access for the disabled, wireless Web Services, and prospecting for natural resources are a few of the sectors that will benefit from CommerceNet's grants.
CommerceNet has a two-part initiative within its NGI Application Programme to further build and implement the Next Generation Internet. In addition to awarding the NGI Application Grants, CommerceNet is opening two centers, in Northern California and Southern California, to develop, test and showcase the recipients' NGI applications. The Northern California Center is located at the University of California, Berkeley, and the Southern California Center will be at the University of California, San Diego. By funding application development, locating appropriate sites to host the applications, and providing the necessary support resources, CommerceNet is ensuring the growth and success of the Next Generation Internet.
Early next year, CommerceNet and the California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency, Division of Science, Technology, and Innovation, will award additional grants, ranging from approximately $100,000 to $300,000 each, for the development of applications that support the NGI.
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