Frequently Asked Questions
Criteria
Applications are evaluated based on the following criteria:● Impact​: How will the proposed project improve lives? How many people will
be affected if successful and to what extent? Is the proposal rooted inresearch that identifies the size of the problem and how the proposed idea
will help solve it?
● Technology and Innovation​: What is the core insight or innovation thatdifferentiates this project from others, in philosophy or execution? Whatmakes the proposed project unique? How does the proposal leveragetechnology in a new and creative way to tackle the issue it seeks to address?
● Scalability​: If successful, how easily can this project scale? Can this proposal
serve as a model for other efforts?
● Feasibility​: Does the team have a well-developed, realistic plan to execute on
the proposal? Have they identified the right partners for implementation?
Note that the DFAT Technology Against Poverty Prize is subject to additional criteria.
Please see the DFAT Prize section.
VotingHow does the public voting work?
The public is invited to vote on the four finalist ideas that most inspire them.
How do I cast my vote on the website?
To vote, select a project and click “vote”. Click “confirm” to confirm your vote. Onceyou have confirmed your vote, you may not change your selection.
Can I vote more than once?
We invite you to vote for the four ideas that most inspire you. You can only vote forany given organisation once, and may cast a total of four votes.
When will voting end?
Voting will close at 11:59 p.m. AEDT on October 25, 2016.
When will we find out who won the Google Impact Challenge Australia?
The winners will be announced on October 26, 2016.
About
What is the Google Impact Challenge Australia?
It’s an opportunity for charities registered with the Australian Charities andNot-for-profits Commission to apply for up to AU$750,000 in grant funding by
sharing their vision for how they will use technology to make an impact. Google willaward a total of AU$4.5 million in grants, with four winners each receiving
AU$750,000, and six additional finalists receiving AU$250,000.

Why is Google hosting the Challenge?
Technology and innovation can solve some of the world’s most pressing problems,
and we’re eager to back innovators that are exploring new ways to make a bigimpact. The Google Impact Challenge was created to identify these risk-takers
around the world and to engage the public in supporting them.
What will the selected grantees receive?
On October 26 we’ll announce 10 Google Impact Challenge finalists and invite thepublic to vote for their favorite projects. The judging panel will select three winners
to receive AU$750,000 grant funding, and mentoring from Google volunteers, andone additional winner will be selected based on the public vote. The remaining six
finalists will each receive AU$250,000 in funding for their project. Separate fundingand support from DFAT is available to DFAT Technology Against Poverty Prize.
Please see the DFAT Awards tab.
Who can participate in the Challenge?
Eligible organisations must meet a number of criteria, which are outlined in detail inthe rules​. Applicants must be charities registered with the Australian Charities andNot-for-profits Commission.
How does my organisation enter the Challenge?
Applications are now closed. It is no longer possible to enter this Challenge.
Where can I read a full copy of the rules?
You can find the rules ​here​.
Projects
What do you mean when you say “project”?
A project is the organisation’s proposed concept and implementation plan for how toaddress a social issue.
How do you define “technology and innovation”? Does each project have to use
technology? What makes a project innovative?
The Impact Challenge seeks to fund innovation ​and technology applied for social
good. An innovative project is one that differs in approach or structure from thosethat presently exist -- it presents a new or unexpected solution to an unmet need.
Proposals should use technology -- and should do so as a core element of theproject, in a way that is both deeply impactful and new or creative.
We’ve submitted our application. What do we do now?
Finalists are shown on this site, and we’ll announce the winners on October 26.
Process
The FAQs below refer to the Google Impact Challenge. For details on the DFAT
Technology Against Poverty Prize, please see the DFAT Prize section.

Was every application reviewed?
Yes, we reviewed all eligible applications that we received before selecting the 10finalists.
Who are the judges?
See our panel of judges ​here​. The judges were selected based on their demonstrated
commitment to social impact and their ability to rally public support for the bestideas.
How were the entries evaluated?
All eligible applications were reviewed by a team at Google. Applications wereevaluated based on the Challenge ​Rules​ and criteria. 10 Google Impact Challenge
finalists were selected and invited to pitch their project to a ​panel of judges​ at anevent in Sydney on October 26. A total of four GIC winners will be chosen: threewinners will be selected by the panel of judges and one winner will be selected bypopular vote. Eligible applications will also be evaluated for the DFAT Technology
Against Poverty Prize (please see relevant section for details).
What is the timeline and process for selecting the winners?
● 4 October 2016: ​Finalists announced, and public invited to vote.
● 26 October 2016: ​Finalists pitch to a panel of judges at an event in Sydney.
Four Google Impact Challenge winners announced.
DFAT Prize
What is the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Technology Against
Poverty Prize?
The DFAT Technology Against Poverty Prize is a AU$500,000 grant provided by theDepartment of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s InnovationXchange program as part ofthe 2016 Google Impact Challenge. The prize encourages charities registered inAustralia to explore new ways of delivering social impact internationally, usingtechnology.
How are DFAT Technology Against Poverty Prize winners chosen?
The winners will be chosen by judges appointed by DFAT based on applications thatmeet the DFAT Technology Against Poverty Prize eligibility criteria, outlined below.
How is the DFAT Technology Against Poverty Prize different from the GoogleImpact Challenge grants?
Grants are similar to those awarded in the Google Impact Challenge, but are provided
by DFAT, not Google. As a result, specifics of due diligence, terms, project length,
travel reimbursement, and other details may differ slightly (see ​Rules​). DFAT
Technology Against Poverty Prize Winners will coordinate with DFAT directly, andwill receive limited technical support from DFAT, not from Google.
Who is eligible for the DFAT Technology Against Poverty Prize?

Applications that meet the eligibility requirements for the Google Impact Challengeand​:(a) do not indicate that the Organisation does not wish to be considered for aDFAT Prize(b) are directed towards activities to be fulfilled outside of Australia
will be reviewed for eligibility for a DFAT Technology Against Poverty Prize.
When and how will DFAT Technology Against Poverty Prize winners be notified?
DFAT will contact winners directly in October, and winners will be invited to theGoogle Impact Challenge finalist event in Sydney on October 26.