Help Google design the Open Web of Things

Do you have an idea how the Internet of Things should work? You might want to share it with Google.

The internet giant has long had an interest in IoT technologies, but is aware that more researchers working on making the idea a reality is better that less, and has announced they are looking for research proposals from academics for the Open Web of Things.

“While the Internet of Things conjures a vision of ‘anytime, any place’ connectivity for all things, the realization is complex given the need to work across interconnected and heterogeneous systems, and the special considerations needed for security, privacy, and safety,” pointed out Vint Cerf, Chief Internet Evangelist at Google.

Google is looking for new and unorthodox solutions in three areas: user interface and application development, privacy and security, and systems and protocols research. To achieve that, the company is offering Individual Project Grants ranging from $50,000 to $150,000.

They also offer an Expedition Lead Grant, ranging between $500,000 and $800,000.

“Researchers interested in the Expedition Lead Grant should build a team of PIs and put forward a proposal outlining a draft research roadmap both for their team(s), as well as how they propose to integrate related research that is implemented outside their labs (e.g., Individual Project Grants),” they explained.

Google will provide grant recipients with hardware, software and systems, as well as needed expertise from its own researchers from the Android, Chrome, and Cloud Platform teams, as well as that of Nest and other Internet connected home products.

For more details about the scope of the grants, check out the call for proposals.

Also, get a move on, as they are accepting proposals only until January 21, 2015.