Say you are a woman in computing. Maybe you're struggling to get through school. Maybe you're trying to start up a mentoring program, or have a great project idea, or are facing a career transition. And maybe you need some funds to get your project/schooling/transition off the ground, or at least help it along.

There's a program that might be of assistance....

The Anita Borg Institute for Women in Technology, and the Systers Online Community, sponsor a program called Pass-It-On Grants. The idea behind the grants is to develop a network of women, who provide financial assistance to their peers. In turn, the beneficiaries of these grants "give back" to the community, monetarily or through the success of their programs/initiatives funded by the grant.

From the site:

Pass-it-on Grants are open to any woman over 18 years old in or aspiring to be in the fields of computing. Grants are open to women in all countries and range from $500.00 to $1000.00.

Applications covering a wide variety of needs and projects are encouraged, such as:

* Small grant to help with studies, job transfers or other transitions in life.
* A broader project that benefits girls and women.
* Projects that seek to inspire more girls and women to go into the computnig field.
* Assistance with educational fees and materials.
* Partial funding source for larger scholarship.
* Mentoring and other supportive groups for women in technology or computing.

The next deadline is March 30, so if you are interested (or know someone who could benefit), head on over to the site and check out the application guidelines.

This is a brand new program---I believe it debuted last year. It's a great idea, and I sincerely hope that it continues. (And wouldn't it be nice if this idea spread to other disciplines as well? or does something like this already exist in the other science disciplines?)