Create the Future of Virtual & Augmented Reality! Compete for a FIA Innovation Spark Grant - Oct. 10

Tackle Real-World Problems. Interdisciplinary Teams Win Up to $10,000! Join Us to Learn More on Oct. 10th. FIA Innovation Spark Grant Kickoff Monday, October 10, 12:30-2pm Knight Hall, Room 3202 University of Maryland, College Park REGISTER TODAY for information, inspiration, and pizza! The past year has seen rising interest in emerging technologies for immersive experience and storytelling – 360-degree video, virtual reality and augmented reality. While these tools can provide new ways of exploring our world, their potential for research, problem solving and real-world application remains largely untapped. How can this challenge become an opportunity? When you compete as part of a team to win a $10,000 Innovation Spark Grant from the Future of Information Alliance. The year’s competition explores the ways "VR" and "AR" can tackle real-world challenges. For example, can VR help address issues of trust between police officers and citizens? Does 360-degree video hold the potential for new forms of more powerful journalism? Can VR contribute to the teaching of history in ways that may help engage students? Can AR help artists connect with audiences in new ways? The outcomes might be VR or AR projects, new tools, novel concepts or prototypes, or research findings that could lead to practical applications and adoption and have the potential to change lives. Each winning project will tackle a compelling issue with an energetic team of students, a faculty mentor, and an engaged outside Future of Information Alliance collaborator, such as the Newseum, the National Park Service, the Smithsonian, or Google. Up to four teams of students and their faculty mentors from the University of Maryland, College Park will be chosen this fall to receive up to $10,000 per team to carry out a project during the spring semester. Learn More » FAQ »