CETF Grant Process

Blue Fiber Optics

The California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) Board of Directors approved and adopted the following process for investments:

  • Invited-Based on Fact Finding Meetings and Conversations, Investment Proposals will be invited from selected organizations (and consortia of organizations) who currently are implementing successful programs to bridge the Digital Divide. Staff will analyze the Investment Proposals, interview key informants, and prepare Investment Prospectuses for the Board to consider making funding decisions at Board Meetings. The first invited proposals were approved in May 2007.
  • RFP-Staff periodically prepare and release a Request for Proposals (RFP) to bridge the Digital Divide for the 3 priority communities: (1) rural and remote areas; (2) urban disadvantaged neighborhoods; and (3) disabled populations. The RFP will involve the following process: Concept Proposals will be evaluated based on adopted criteria to determine which Concept Proposals should be invited to develop complete Investment Proposals; Investment Proposals will have a due date; and decisions on funding investments decisions made at upcoming Board Meeting. The first RFP was issued in May 2007 and grants were announced in January 2008. The next RFP will be issue in 2009.
  • The review process consists of two expert advisors, two staff and two members of the Board of Directors along with the Board Committees. CETF established a Board of Expert Advisors (link to the page). Advisors without a conflict of interest are asked to review applications.
  • In addition to the review by staff and individual Board members, a 6-member Program Investments Committee, comprised of the three officers (Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer) and the three Chairs of the priority communities focus Committees, is responsible for: (a) overseeing the investment grantmaking process, including approving refined criteria and forms for inviting proposals; and (b) recommending investments to the Board based on the evaluation and analysis in comparison to criteria.
  • Investment Proposals and RFPs generally will not exceed $500,000 over 2 years and $750,000 over 3 years, depending on the maturity of the program and capacity of the implementing organization. Smaller grants will be considered based on demonstrated impact. Larger investments will be considered on a limited basis pursuant to: (a) submission of a Preliminary Prospectus which clearly articulates the demonstrated success of the proposed program and the cost-effectiveness of the larger investment with quantified expected impacts and outcomes; (b) recommendation by the staff and Board Program Investments Committee to invite an Investment Proposal; and (c) approval by the Board to invite a Investment Proposal.
  • As a condition of investments, all grantees will be required to submit quarterly and annual reports reporting progress and achievement of milestones in order to continue to receive periodic payments of the approved investment.