David asked by email about sources of grant funding for Tablet PCs. Many of us frequently hear such questions. He wants to use Tablets in his clinical laboratory training program in order to take the program paperless. Kudos!
Here’s the good news. Money (lots of money) exists to purchase Tablets and other mobile PCs for almost any person or program in or out of education. You just have to convince donors of the value of your request.
HP has been the most consistent grant funder and supporter of Tablet PCs in schools.
http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/grants/us/programs/tech_teaching/higher_ed_main.html
Sometimes Gateway offers a relatively few units through a grant project.
Given the above, David may now say he’s being mugged by reality (appreciation to John Agresto, author of the book titled Mugged by Reality. The book addresses education, not just the more dramatic middle east war identified in the subtitle.).
No freebies exist for anyone in the mobile PC world, unless you win a lottery drawing as Joan and a few others did at special mobile PC events. Mobile PC enthusiasts, ISVs, even major software publishers buy their own hardware and software. It’s called capitalism and staying in business for a profit.
Except for the five actual Asian hardware manufacturers that put the various popular brand labels on personal computers, no one else has a high enough margin consistently to grant, give or even make extended loans of mobiles.
Receiving a grant and other funding for Tablets is to compete successfully with routine expenses and requests for adding other technologies through grant programs. Applications must describe a compelling, unique reason for to receive funding over others equally wanting to replace or add something to their programs.
Consider using a strategy of subtraction or substitution vs. addition for writing a case statement of using mobile PCs.
Better odds and faster turn around time exist from appeal to funding to locate a private source than a viable government or foundation source through a program development (fundraising) officer.
As David describes his want, Tablets will replace other budgeted supply expenses. Substituting one supply for another is a good strategy. Tablets are expendible supplies.
If you want a mobile PC as David does, calculate the dollar value of increased productivity and cost savings Tablet PCs will yield for part of the pitch for inside funding. This is a crucial step in presenting a compelling case for private or public funding.
Negotiate for part of the clinical supplies budget. Regardless of what they say, budget managers adjust spending choices when they see (it must be in writing to be convincing) a compelling case.
Best bet: ask trainers and students to fund their own hardware and help them by arranging for their lab software, etc. That’s what the rest of us do, as do personnel in many schools.
Buy a personal Tablet for use at work as an example of how it can be done; it’s a cost for staying current in a job today. Argue that Tablets replace some texts, and other lab record supplies.
Another thought: Look for a brand distributor trying to break into the mobile PC market. Maybe he can convince someone there to give or loan you one or more units.
More good news, sort of: some schools and businesses that started using Tablet PCs two to five years ago are upgrading and replacing their original Tablets. Keep an ear open for announcements about the disposal of their older mobile PCs. I’ll post announcements when authorized to do so.
Reminder: An increasing number of educators and trainers have used these procedures to acquire mobile PCs in their programs. You can too.
P.S.: I updated the list of previous post labels to include grants and funding. I hope this helps finding sources for mobile PCs in schools.