Monday, January 31, 2022

ARDC Makes More Than $1 Million in New Grants

Amateur Radio Digital Communications, the organization that administers the AMPRNet internet domain and sold some 4 million unassigned addresses in 2019, continues using the proceeds from that sale to support amateur radio and communications networking research. Its most recent grants, according to the ARRL Letter, include nearly $900,000 to the Internet Archive to establish the "Digital Library of Amateur Radio and Communications," which would be a freely-accessible repository of publications, movies, software and more that is related to amateur radio.

ARDC also made a $318,000 grant to the Society of Women Engineers to fun 30 scholarships and help with programs that encourage women to choose careers in engineering and showcase their achievements. In addition, ARDC gave $500,000 to the ARRL Foundation to fund a new club grants program. Starting in April, amateur radio clubs will be able to apply for grants of up to $25,000 to support programs or projects that "will advance amateur radio in the grantee's community."

An example of such a project is one directly funded by ARDC – some $34,000 to the Fauquier 4-H Ham Radio Club in Virginia to equip a Youth Station and Outreach Trailer for use by young members at meetings, public gatherings and special events.