Applications for the grant are now closed.

It’s become a cliche, but hardware is hard!

One reason why hardware is harder than software is that the time between revisions is often longer. We need to wait for new PCBs, or for components to be delivered. Or for more new PCBs after we realise we got it wrong!

Another reason is that it can be expensive, and not just for the physical components. We generally need more of a lab than software developers. Not just soldering irons and good lighting. Test gear is essential for learning how your circuit is actually behaving, matching simulation to the real world. And it’s usually expensive.

I struggled with the cost of hardware development for years, and when someone donated me my first oscilloscope it was a big deal! Seeing the waveforms really helped me to advance my understanding and the complexity of the projects I could undertake.

Last year I awarded 10 grants to people all over the world. This year I’m going to piggyback on Digilent’s Cyber Week sale, and cover up to 75% of the cost of the Digilent Analog Discovery 3.

This grant is for people who would otherwise not be able to afford test equipment.

“Thanks so much to Matt’s grant! I was able to get a Digilent Analog Discovery, and it quickly became one of my go-to workshop tools. Having the ability to see voltage signals, capture waveforms, and measure impedance made a huge difference: no more guessing from vague multimeter readings! It really helped me dive deeper and accelerate my projects!” Guillaume.

“I am very grateful to Matt and for the opportunity provided by the “Test Equipment Grant 2024.” I was able to obtain an Analog Discovery, which has become a portable, multipurpose tool in the laboratory. I frequently perform impedance spectroscopy measurements, even at frequencies close to one megahertz, with ease.” Edwin.

Limitations

• Apply for up to $200 (USD).
• You have to cover at least $65 of the price yourself. You may face import duties!
• One application per person.

Grant process

1. Apply for the grant.
2. If successful, you will purchase the equipment yourself - last day is Friday 5th December!
3. Send me the receipt.
4. Once it arrives, send me a photo of it in use.
5. I will transfer the grant.

Apply now!

Apply for the grant here.

I will review your application and contact you via email before the 5th of December.

“I vividly remember taking up the subject of communication systems and somewhat struggling with the practical or hands-on component of it. Not because I lacked interest or intuition, but because writing codes and running simulations on MATLAB felt dull and boring; it created no waves in the air and certainly not in my mind — felt like a grey loop of effort without spark . But thanks to the test equipment grant by Matt Venn, the entire subject went from dull and boring to fun and scoring.” Ram.

“I really appreciated what you invested, and it actually inspired me to go much deeper into Electronics this year, buying an Oscilloscop, an Megaohm Meter, a Bench Lab Power Supply and an LCR-Meter, to allow me to work even better on Electronics, especially LED circuits.” Ruben.

• grant