Digital Promise in the News

The Chronicle of Philanthropy: Research Trust to Finance School, Library, and Museum Technology Efforts

January 25, 2010

A national trust to funnel federal funds into programs to help schools, libraries, and museums tap into emerging digital technologies will be introduced Monday after nearly a decade in the making, The New York Times reports. The National Center for Research in Advanced Information and Digital Technologies grew out of a 2001 recommendation by Lawrence K. Grossman, a former network-news executive, and Newton N. Minow, former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. It could begin distributing grants by fall. The center received initial Education Department support of $500,000 and will also solicit private donations.View article...

NYTimes: After 10 Years, Federal Money for Technology in Education

January 24, 2010

More than a decade ago, Lawrence K. Grossman, former president of both NBC News and PBS, and Newton N. Minow, the former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, were asked by several foundations to explore how nonprofits like schools, libraries and museums could tap into emerging digital technologies. Their bold recommendation in 2001 was to set up a multibillion dollar trust that would act as a "venture capital fund" to research learning technology. Read more...

Exciting News about Digital Promise

After more than a decade of nationwide effort, the Digital Promise Project has achieved an essential goal - the creation of the National Center for Research in Advanced Information and Digital Technologies. This year the Department of Education, as provided by their 2010 appropriations legislation, will make available the initial funding required to launch the National Center. In the words of the Center's authorizing legislation, "The purpose of the Center shall be to support a comprehensive research and development program to harness the increasing capability of advanced information and digital technologies to improve all levels of learning and education, formal and informal, in order to provide Americans with the knowledge and skills needed to compete in the global economy." Read the full press release.

Congress Enacts Digital Promise

Congress has authorized a major new research center, the National Center for Research in Advanced Information and Digital Technologies, that will bring the same focused, sustained research funding to technology and learning that the federal government has funded for years in technology for health care at the National Institutes of Health and technology for energy at the Department of Energy.

We are now seeking Congressional appropriations to fund the new National Center.
For more information about the creation of the new National Center, read the Press Release.
For more information about the National Center and its mission, read the Fact Sheet .