Redmond-based Microsoft Corp. today announced that it is inviting organizations to submit proposals for the Elevate America Veterans Initiative, which focuses on giving veterans and their spouses the technology skills and support resources they need to be successful in today’s civilian work force.

Through a competitive request for proposal (RFP) process, Microsoft will award cash, software and IT skills training curriculum to eligible veterans service organizations, work-force agencies, as well as other nonprofit organizations and their partners that are providing veterans and their spouses with the support they need to be successful in their transition to civilian careers.

Support provided by these organizations may include technology skills training, job placement, career counseling and other support services such as childcare, transportation and housing. Organizations have until June 30, 2010, to apply to this initiative and successful applicants will be announced in August.

The RFP is the first phase of Microsoft’s Elevate America Veterans Initiative, which will provide $2 million in cash and up to $6 million in software and other resources over the next two years to provide veterans and their spouses with these necessary skills and resources. A second round of the competitive RFP process in 2011 will provide opportunities for the successful grantees to deepen their efforts based on results from the first phase and scale projects that have demonstrated effectiveness.

Since this initiative was announced in March, Microsoft has convened organizations serving veterans to serve on an advisory committee for the Veterans Initiative over the next two years to help provide guidance and expertise throughout this process. Organizations on the advisory committee include The American Legion, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Paralyzed Veterans of America, United Service Organizations (USO), and Wounded Warrior Project.

“Our servicemen and women who are separating from the military and reintegrating into their civilian communities and the work force face a tough job market,” said Pamela Passman, corporate vice president of Microsoft Global Corporate Affairs. “We know that access to technology skills training combined with critical support services can help them succeed, and we look forward to partnering with organizations that can help our veterans and their spouses through innovative approaches to job training and placement.”

Successful applications will include collaborative partnerships between two or more organizations in the nonprofit, work-force development, labor and education sectors. Applicants may request between $100,000 to $200,000 cash, not to exceed 50 percent of the total program budget, as well as software and IT skills training curriculum. The RFP and more information are available at www.microsoft.com/veterans.

More information on Elevate America is available at http://www.microsoft.com/ElevateAmerica.