Announcement of the grants coincides with the paperback release of his New York Times bestselling book The New Digital Age, co-authored by Jared Cohen
NEW YORK, NY (February 24, 2014) — Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt has donated $1 million to establish the New Digital Age Grants, which will be awarded next month to organizations around the globe that are using technology to solve pressing human problems.
The focus of the grants grew out of the book Schmidt and Google Ideas director Jared Cohen co-authored, THE NEW DIGITAL AGE, which will be released in paperback on March 4 by Vintage Books. In writing the book, Schmidt and Cohen traveled around the world to more than 40 countries—including North Korea, North Africa, and China—to explore how technology could be used to improve lives, especially in nations where access to information is severely restricted.
“In writing THE NEW DIGITAL AGE, Jared and I developed a strong belief in the power of technology to address some of the thorniest global challenges, a belief which was strengthened with each country we visited,” Schmidt said. “We felt it was important to recognize the work being done by non-profits that show promise in these areas. Receiving a New Digital Age Grant should accelerate their work in a meaningful way.”
Each of the grantees—which will be announced on Monday, March 10—fight some of the book’s central challenges: repressive censorship, crime, or natural disasters. Each uses technology in innovative ways. Some are based in academic institutions, others are stand-alone; and some are based in the U.S., while others are abroad. Yet each one is helping ensure that technology will be a force for good as five billion people connect to the Internet for the first time in the coming years.
The New Digital Age Grants are being funded through a private donation by Eric and Wendy Schmidt.
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Contact:
Angela Baggetta
Goldberg McDuffie Communications
212-705-4221, abaggetta@goldbergmcduffie.com
