For this next round, the company is seeking proposals from city leaders that could benefit greatly from IBM's technology such as data analytics, cloud computing, cognitive computing, and comprehensive weather data.

Leaders of cities or regional governments must submit brief statements of interest to IBM by February 24. Ten grant recipients for pro bono consulting engagements will be announced in late spring.

Smarter Cities Challenge grant recipients receive a team of five or six IBM employees who are deployed to the country for three weeks to work closely with local government and community leaders.

They analyze the data they gathered and use its insights to offer support that can take the form of strategic recommendations, data-driven tools, implementation roadmaps and workshops, and staff training.

IBM’s Smarter Cities Challenge has deployed 800 of IBM’s top employee talent to more than 130 cities worldwide in the past six years to improve inequities and disparities.

"Cities around the world are under enormous, daily pressure to tackle growing challenges with ever more limited resources," said Jennifer Crozier, IBM’s vice president of Global Citizenship Initiatives.

"Often, they lack access to the most innovative technology solutions and insights that could be applied to solve those problems and improve services. We look forward to sharing IBM’s data and analytics and cognitive computing expertise to help make meaningful and lasting improvements."

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