Subj : ARDC and ARRL Announce $2.1 Million for the Next Generation of Amateur Radio
To   : QST
From : ARRL de WD1CKS
Date : Wed Dec 06 2023 05:50 pm

12/06/2023

SAN DIEGO, California and NEWINGTON, Connecticut - Today, Amateur Radio Digital
Communications (ARDC) and The ARRL Foundation announced a three-year commitment
with over $2.1�million in combined funding to support scholarships for radio
amateurs, radio technology for classroom teachers, and amateur radio club
grants. This commitment reinforces a strong shared vision between ARRL� The
National Association for Amateur Radio�[1] and ARDC[2] to invest in the future
of amateur radio through programs supporting the next generation of radio
amateurs.

"ARRL and ARDC share a common vision for the future of Amateur Radio," says The
ARRL Foundation President David Norris, K5UZ. "The Foundation exists to support
the next generation of radio amateurs, and we are so proud to collaborate with
ARDC to make these programs possible."

The ARDC Scholarship at The ARRL Foundation has supported nearly 100 amateur
radio operators in pursuit of their educational goals since its inception in
2020. The renewed commitment will result in over 200 total scholarships,
awarded over the next three years, for radio amateurs pursuing higher
education, with scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. This competitive
scholarship program is run through The ARRL Foundation Scholarship Program, and
recipients who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need can use this
funding for tuition, room & board, books, and other fees essential to advance
their education. More information on eligibility and application deadlines may
be found online at The ARRL Foundation website at
www.arrl.org/scholarship-program[3].

The ARRL Club Grants program was introduced in 2022 with initial funding from
ARDC. Thanks to this next round of collaboration, the ARRL Club Grants Program
will continue in 2024. Beginning with significant funding from ARDC in 2022,
the ARRL Club Grants program is administered by The ARRL Foundation, together
with the ARRL Field Organization. These club grants are critical to the future
of amateur radio because of the importance of mentoring and helping licensees
become active in Amateur Radio. ARRL encourages clubs to revitalize this
critical aspect of their role by applying for funding to support programs in
one of the available categories, including ham skills development, STEAM
learning and education, or club station improvement, among others. This
transformational program will launch in the Spring of 2024. More details will
be provided through upcoming informational sessions and on The ARRL Foundation
website at www.arrl.org/club-grant-program[4].

�

Additional funding from ARDC will extend the effectiveness of ARRL outreach
programs to teachers and schools, including the ARRL Teachers Institute for
Wireless Technology. Monies will be used to purchase equipment to allow
students to get hands-on STEM experiences through radio communications and
radio technology.

ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, is inspired by the opportunities this
collaboration presents. "These grants are a great exercise in teamwork and
shared vision between our organizations; ARDC has resources to enable
significant advancements in amateur radio, and ARRL brings the strength and
reach needed to implement these great programs," he said.

"On behalf of ARRL and The ARRL Foundation, I want to express my sincere thanks
for the strong vision and generosity of ARDC," says ARRL Director of
Development Kevin Beal, K8EAL, "Through its philanthropy, ARDC is supporting
transformational programs, which will have a significant impact on amateur
radio's future."

ARDC Executive Director Rosy Schechter, KJ7RYV, adds: "It's a joy and an honor
to enable amateur radio clubs across the country to flourish, and we're
grateful to work with the ARRL to make it happen. We loved seeing the projects
from the first round of funding and look forward to seeing what comes next."

"Clubs are the heart and soul of amateur radio, and outreach is core to ARDC's
and ARRL's shared vision," says ARDC Board Member Ria Jairam, N2RJ. " We are
proud to support amateur radio clubs and their projects through these
transformational grants."

***

About Amateur Radio

Also known as ham radio, amateur radio is the licensed use of radio frequencies
for personal, noncommercial purposes. Amateur Radio Service licensees use their
training, skills, and equipment to practice radio communications and develop
radio technology. Amateur radio operators volunteer their qualifications and
equipment for communications duty in public service and during emergencies.
Amateur radio also provides a basis for hands-on STEM/STEAM education and
pathways to careers.�

About The ARRL Foundation

ARRL�, founded in 1914 as the American Radio Relay League, is The National
Association for Amateur Radio� in the USA and is the primary source of
information about ham radio. It provides books, news, support and information
for individuals and clubs, special events, continuing education classes and
other benefits for its members. For 50 years, in partnership with ARRL, The
ARRL Foundation has stewarded philanthropic support for amateur radio through
scholarships, club grants, and other programs to ensure a strong and vibrant
future. Learn more at www.arrl.org[5]

About ARDC

Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) is a California-based foundation
with roots in amateur radio and the technology of internet communication. The
organization got its start by managing the AMPRNet address space, which is
reserved for licensed amateur radio operators worldwide. Additionally, ARDC
makes grants to projects and organizations that follow amateur radio's practice
and tradition of technical experimentation in both amateur radio and digital
communication science. Such experimentation has led to advances that benefit
the general public, including the mobile phone and wireless internet
technology. ARDC envisions a world where all such technology is available
through open source hardware and software, and where anyone has the ability to
innovate upon it. To learn more about ARDC, go to https://www.ardc.net[6].


[1] http://www.arrl.org
[2] https://www.ardc.net/
[3] https://www.arrl.org/scholarship-program
[4] http://www.arrl.org/club-grant-program
[5] http://www.arrl.org/
[6] https://www.ardc.net/

---
� Synchronet � Whiskey Lover's Amateur Radio BBS

You are viewing proxied material from bbs.kd3.us. The copyright of proxied material belongs to its original authors. Any comments or complaints in relation to proxied material should be directed to the original authors of the content concerned. Please see the disclaimer for more details.