Project OVERCOME Overview

At least 42 million people do not have adequate Internet access to learn and work remotely, or effectively take advantage of telemedicine in the United States. One out of seven children lacks Internet access at home, increasing to nearly a third of households with an annual income of less than $20,000. Black, Hispanic, and Native American households are also disproportionately affected.(1) Solving the digital divide puzzle needs more than just money and requires thinking beyond traditional connectivity solutions. Managed by US Ignite and funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) with Schmidt Futures, Project OVERCOME is a unique program that creates an innovative environment for seven communities to test locally-accelerated and innovative solutions designed to deliver community Internet connectivity within just 12 months.