MacArthur Foundation Announces $2 Million New Digital Media and Learning Competition

I got an email press release today from MacArthur Foundation:

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation announced today a public competition that will award $2 million in funding to emerging leaders, communicators, and innovators shaping the field of digital media and learning.  The competition is part of MacArthur’s $50 million Digital Media and Learning initiative that aims to help determine how digital technologies are changing the way young people learn, play, socialize, and participate in civic life.

There are two categories:

• Innovation Awards will support learning entrepreneurs and builders of new digital environments for informal learning. Winners will receive $250,000 or $100,000.

• Knowledge Networking Awards will support communicators in connecting, mobilizing, circulating or translating new ideas around digital media and learning. Winners will receive a $30,000 base award and up to $75,000.

That second category caught my eye. 

Applications are due Oct. 15, 2007 and prizewinners will be announced in January. Detailed information on the competition is available online at www.dmlcompetition.net.