This morning, Google announced the creation of a brand-new Digital Inclusion Fellowship. Launched in conjunction with the Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN), the fellowship will pair 16 individuals with organizations in each of the eight current Google Fiber communities – including Next Century Cities members Austin, TX, Kansas City, KS, Kansas City, MO, Provo, UT, and Raleigh, NC. Fellows will work over the course of a year to building a digital inclusion effort to help connect underserved areas of their communities. To support the effort, Google will make approximately $1 million available to participants and their organizations.

This announcement comes at a time when 60 million Americans still do not have Internet access at home, making it difficult for many families to access important opportunities. Digital Inclusion Fellows will help parents to communicate with teachers online, and provide digital training at community centers. Only residents of Google communities are eligible for the positions. Applications are due by June 10, 2015 – for more information on the program, visit here.