CTIA Wireless Foundation: Catalyst Grant Program

CTIA Wireless Foundation: Catalyst Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: CTIA Wireless Foundation
Amount: Up to US $100,000
Last Updated: January 20, 2026

Summary

The CTIA Wireless Foundation's Catalyst Grant Program aims to empower social entrepreneurs leveraging 5G technology to tackle critical challenges in American communities. With over $200,000 in unrestricted grants available, the program supports innovative projects that utilize 5G connectivity for social good. As 5G transforms communication and interaction, the Catalyst Grant seeks visionary leaders who can harness this potential to inspire meaningful change and enhance community engagement.

Overview

Using Bold Wireless Technologies for Big Impact 5G – the fifth generation of wireless – will transform the next decade of innovation in unprecedented ways, making our lives better, our communities stronger and our nation more prosperous. While 4G advanced the ways people connect and communicate with each other, 5G’s lightning-fast speeds, ultra-low latency and greater network capacity will revolutionize how humans interact with and shape the world around them. The potential for groundbreaking, lifesaving innovation powered by 5G connectivity is increasingly apparent. As America’s wireless industry has already built out 5G networks across the country, ninety-one percent of U.S. consumers believe 5G’s impact will be significant for society. The “connected everything” 5G-era will impact our communities, inspiring change, disrupting the status quo and helping address some of our country’s biggest challenges that often impact marginalized populations the most. The emergence of 5G brings with it the promise of connecting people with the tools they need to engage with their own communities and gain access to broader global perspectives. When combined with cloud, edge computing, IoT and other technologies, 5G wireless offers a significant opportunity to make meaningful advances and tap into a powerful infrastructure for social good. 5G will touch every facet of our lives, but we’ve only scratched the surface of what is possible. In order to fully recognize how the 5G decade will change the world for the better, we need agile, innovative, and daring visionaries who can put 5G to work to improve our society. Catalyst Grant Program Catalyst is a competitive grants program for ambitious social entrepreneurs using the power of 5G and leading edge wireless technologies to enhance our lives and address pressing challenges in American communities. Up to six applicants will receive financial and non-financial benefits, with Catalyst awarding over $200,000 in unrestricted grants.

Eligibility

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