British Library Labs – Competition 2013
Deadline for entry: Wednesday 26 June , 2013 (midnight GMT)
From the webpage:
We want you to propose an innovative and transformative project using the British Library’s digital collections and if your idea is chosen, the Labs team will work with you to make it happen and you could win a prize of up to £3,000.
From the digitisation of thousands of books, newspapers and manuscripts, the curation of UK websites, bird sounds or location data for our maps, over the last two decades we’ve been faithfully amassing a vast and wide-ranging number of digital collections for the nation. What remains elusive, however, is understanding what researchers need in place in order to unlock the potential for new discoveries within these fascinating and diverse sets of digital content.
The Labs competition is designed to attract scholars, explorers, trailblazers and software developers who see the potential for new and innovative research and development opportunities lurking within these immense digital collections. Through soliciting imaginative and transformative projects utilising this content you will be giving us a steer as to the types of new processes, platforms, arrangements, services and tools needed to make it more accessible. We’ll even throw the Library’s resources behind you to make your idea a reality.
Numerous ways to get support for developing your idea before submission.
In terms of PR for your solution (hopefully topic maps based) do note:
Prizes
Winners will get direct curatorial and financial support for completing their project from the Labs team, which may involve an expenses paid residency at the British Library for a mutually agreed period of time (dependent on the winners’ circumstances, the winning ideas, access to resources and budget allowing).
- Winners will receive £3000 for completing their project
- Runners-up will receive £1000 for completing their project
The work will take place between between Saturday July 6 and Monday 4 November, 2013, with the completed projects being showcased during November 2013 when prizes will be awarded.
What happens to your ideas?
All ideas will be posted on the Labs website after they have been judged. All project ideas submitted for the competition can continue to be worked on and where possible the Labs team will provide support (time and resources permitting). Well developed projects will be showcased together with the competition winners during November 2013.
This is also a good excuse to spend more time at the British Library website. I don’t spend nearly enough time there myself.