IBM is accepting proposals for the 2013 Smarter Cities Challenge which seeks to partner with 100 cities around the globe to solve complex urban challenges, awarding $50 million worth of services and technology over three years.
IBM contributes the time and expertise of our top experts from different business units and geographies, putting them on the ground for three weeks to work closely with city leaders and deliver recommendations on how to make the city smarter and more effective.
Many of today’s cities are suffering from years of disinvestment in basic infrastructure, and especially technology infrastructure. These gaps, due in part to budgetary pressure but also to the regular turnover of leadership, have kept cities, their leaders and citizens from realizing their full potential, slowing economic development and constraining their ability to make informed, data-driven decisions. Smarter Cities Challenge engagements all over the world are demonstrating how the right investments in infrastructure can introduce long-term efficiencies and dramatically transform a city’s prospects for growth.
Applications will be accepted in the following languages: English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese (Simplified) and Japanese. Only general-purpose governing bodies may apply for the Smarter Cities Challenge & special districts (such as port authorities, school districts or utility districts) are not eligible for the program at this time.
The Smarter Cities Challenge 2013 application cycle will open in late-June and close on September 7, 2012. For more information, visit this link.
