IBM Sustainability Accelerator Program addressing Environmental Threats

Deadline Date: April 30, 2024

Donor Name: IBM

Grant Size: Not Available

The IBM Sustainability Accelerator is now accepting proposals for technology-driven projects advancing resilient cities.

In support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11 to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, this year’s cohort will aim to find ways to foster urban resiliency in the long-term.

Nonprofit and governmental organizations are encouraged to submit a proposal for tech-driven projects that would benefit from:

• Hybrid cloud and AI solutions
• Sustainability software
• Data science-enabled insights
• Expert consulting and design services

Project Examples

• AI foundation models and geospatial analytics to discover new insights
• Asset management for public services
• Internet of Things (IoT) solutions for operational and situational awareness
• Open source software to manage electric vehicle ecosystems
• Weather and climate forecasting to predict impacts on natural and built infrastructure

The IBM Sustainability Accelerator supports communities vulnerable to environmental challenges by taking on a new sustainability topic and cohort of organizations each year.

• Global scale, local impact
• Two-year program duration
• No cost for participants
• Focus on populations at risk

Why did IBM launch the IBM Sustainability Accelerator?

• IBM believes that science, technology, and innovation can help tackle environmental issues while helping communities to address societal needs.
  • According to the World Bank, climate-related disasters and natural hazards push 26 million people into poverty each year, putting these populations in need of technical, financial, and institutional resources that enable communities to respond to climate change, support climate adaptation and build resiliency.
  • By uniting experts and technology, IBM wanted to find a way to scale and speed up solutions, such as for climate change mitigation, that support underrepresented communities most vulnerable to environmental threats through the lens of environmental justice.
• At IBM, they believe that technology has the potential to transform lives when directed with purpose. That’s why they’ve designed this program to have a bigger, long-term sustainable societal impact with the power of science and technologies such as hybrid cloud and AI.

How does IBM support selected organizations?

• IBM collaborates with organizations to design, develop, and deploy a technical solution directly benefiting communities. Throughout the experience, IBM provides access to  platforms such as watsonx, IBM Cloud, IBM Environmental Intelligence Suite, and Red Hat open source technologies as well as technical mentorship to build long-term capacity. Organizations selected to participate will be required to enter into an IBM grant agreement governing access to IBM technology, services, and resources.

How does IBM select participating organizations?

• IBM selects about five organizations each year – forming a cohort – to focus on addressing a specific sustainability issue area. The selection process includes a public RFP open to any nonprofit or government organization. Proposals are reviewed and evaluated for feasibility and impact, and vetted through standard IBM compliance processes. The selection process will include input from IBM’s experts across disciplines such as IBM Consulting, Research, Software, Corporate Environmental Affairs, and Corporate Social Responsibility. The selection criteria will consider the applicant’s level of support to communities who are especially vulnerable to environmental threats, and its strategic focus and transparency on measurement and reporting, among other factors.

Eligibility Criteria

• The IBM Sustainability Accelerator is open to nonprofit and government organizations globally.

For more information, visit IBM.