Google’s new innovation challenge now accepting applications till Sept 2

Google Inc. recently announced its Google News Initiative (GNI) Innovation Challenge is now open for applications until September 2.

The GNI Challenge will fund projects that inject new ideas into the news industry.  It is a new programme from the Google News Initiative,  a global effort to build a stronger future for digital journalism.

Google is inviting proposals from news organisations in the Middle East and Africa to submit projects that help build a more sustainable ecosystem for digital news in the region through development of reader engagement and new business models. They are for instance, personalisation, analytics, audio and voice applications, subscription, as well as membership and loyalty programmes.

A panel of Googlers and other tech industry executives will review the submissions and fund selected projects up to $150,000 and finance up to 70 percent of the total project cost.

“We’re excited to bring the GNI Challenge to the Middle East and Africa. We want to make sure that all news organizations, large and small, as well as news startups, have the opportunity to inject new ideas into the local and regional news industry.” said Joyce Baz, Head of Communications for Google in MENA.

The Google News Initiative is Google’s effort to help news players in their transition to a digital future, focusing on three pillars: First, elevating and strengthening quality journalism, second, evolving business models to drive sustainable growth and third, and empowering news organisations through technological innovation.