Imagine your life without the Internet. What connections to people would you lose? To the things you love? To vital information about your community? 34 million people in the U.S. — 10% of the country’s population — lack access to quality Internet connectivity, a number that jumps to 39% in rural communities and 41% on Tribal lands. When disasters strike, these staggering statistics are compounded: millions more can lose vital connectivity right when it’s needed most.

We are seeking solutions to connect the unconnected. The Wireless Innovation for a Networked Society (WINS) Challenges, run by Mozilla and sponsored by the National Science Foundation, seek practical, new wireless solutions that will help connect people to the Internet in challenging circumstances: after a disaster or in areas without sufficient connectivity. We’re seeking wireless technology innovations that will make the Internet more accessible, resilient, and healthier.

A total of $2 million in prize money is available for U.S.-based entrants to one of two separate challenges:

Off-The-Grid Internet Challenge: Wireless solutions for communication that can be rapidly deployed in post-disaster situations where Internet access is unavailable or compromised.

Smart-Community Networks Challenge: Wireless solutions for communication that can be built on top of existing infrastructure to enhance Internet connectivity in communities that need greater access.

The NSF-WINS Challenges will not only identify a broad set of wireless technology solutions to increase access to the Internet, but will also broaden the dialogue around access in the United States, grow the community of problem solvers and innovators working on these issues and strengthen the network of people working toward a healthier Internet.