The Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program (TIIAP) is giving out $17.6 million in grants for its 1999 awards program.

The program, administered by the U.S. Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), gives out federal funds each year to nonprofit organizations and state and local governments that propose innovative, practical information technology projects.

The 43 grant recipients (chosen from over 700 applicants) will not only receive the TIIAP grant money, but also $21 million in other matching, non-federal funding, according to the NTIA.

TIIAP, initiated in 1994, has awarded $135 million since then to community- and health-related information technology and telecommunications projects.

Grants cover a wide variety of projects. In one, Second Harvest will establish real-time networking between food banks and organizations that distribute food to the hungry, to cut down on wasted food. In another, the Shepherd Center will provide laptops with video-conferencing capabilities to victims of spinal cord and brain injuries. The laptops will allow these people to better communicate with care givers and access clinics and seminars without leaving home.

For more information, TIIAP can be contacted by phone at (202)482-2048 or through its Web site. Information on the winning proposals can be found at http://ntiaotiant1.ntia.doc.gov/cfdocs/tiiap/99grants.cfm

Full text of the news release is currently found at:
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/press/tiiap100599.htm