Time Warner Cable (TWC) have announced the launch of its third year of the innovative TWC Research Program on Digital Communications, which awards $20,000 stipends designed to foster research dedicated to “increasing understanding of the benefits and challenges facing the future of digital technologies in the home, office, classroom and community”.

The 2012 Research Announcement outlines the program’s guidelines and list of research questions that eligible applicants, affiliated with universities and not-for-profits, are able to use when applying for the stipends.

The Research Program was launched in 2010 as way to “tap into the best minds in the academic and public policy communities and stimulate research into challenges facing the telecommunications industry”.

Fernando Laguarda, Vice President for External Affairs and Policy Counselor, and director of the program, said:

“We’ve seen two very active years with the Research Program. With a revised set of topics, our third year will add even more to the public debate about major issues now confronting industry, policymakers, and stakeholders.”

Individuals and teams of researchers who want to apply for the $20,000 stipends are asked to write a three page summary outlining their approach to one of the topics and to submit a brief resume for each author.

“The Research Program has awarded sixteen stipends to twenty three leading scholars since its first year,” said Laguarda.

“We believe we continue to make a real contribution to intelligent debate on the future of digital communications.”

The 2012 deadlines for submission of applications are April 1, 2012 and November 1, 2012.