Oxfam is an international NGO that is committed to the alleviation of poverty, both in longer-term development work and in times of urgent humanitarian need. It is currently leading a campaign on access to low-cost drugs.

Pacific Disaster Net is an online information disaster risk management resource for Pacific island states. It hosts a library of reports and publications on governance, risk assessment, early warning and training, as well as real-time information and satellite imagery on disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, fires, tsunamis and epidemic outbreaks.

This philanthropic organisation works with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and other partners in the Americas to administer health-related grants and implement programmes that provide medical supplies and equipment. It aims to mobilise resources to meet health, education, and training priorities in the region, focusing on chronic disease prevention, healthy aging, immunisations, neglected tropical diseases and health education. The website provides information on projects, partnerships and 'success stories', as well as updates on related news and announcements, including events, grants and jobs.

The PHEA — a joint project between seven private US foundations — supports higher education development in Africa. It works in four specific areas: developing and retaining new academics; information and communication technologies for higher education; regional institutional capacity building; and higher education research and analysis.

Within each of these, the PHEA publishes news and information on its projects, highlighting case studies and achievements to date. The PHEA also hosts a database of past and current grants, which, between 2000 and 2008, represent investments of over US$350 million.

The Communication of Science and Technology network (PCST) Academy is responsible for the creation of the documentary basis of the Public Communication of Science and Technology network (PCST) and its main task is the selection and organized collection of reports on particular topics in the field of communication and social understanding of science.

The Pew Center is a non-profit, non-partisan and independent organisation in the United States, dedicated to providing credible information, straight answers and innovative solutions in the effort to address global climate change. Established in 1998 by the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Center aims to educate the public and key policy makers about the causes and potential consequences of climate change, particularly through publishing reports on environmental impacts, economics and policy issues.

This organisation uses medicine and science to prevent mass atrocities and human rights violations against civilians, such as torture or rape in conflict situations. The organisation uses research and forensic expertise to prevent small-scale acts of violence from becoming mass atrocities; protect the rights of civilians; and prosecute those who violate these rights. The website publishes information about the organisation's work, including experts that help asylum seekers rebuild their lives. It includes links to reports, press releases, video, blogs as well as reports on the impact of the organisation's work.

Practical Action aims to alleviate poverty by improving access to technologies and knowledge in poor communities across Africa, Asia and Latin America. It works in collaboration with communities, and campaigns for change in policies and systems of innovation.

The website contains information on completed and existing projects, upcoming events, and blog posts discussing relevant issues. It also offers an extensive document library of position papers, manuals and reports.

This website reflects the activities of Practical Action's New Technologies programme. It links to news, briefing papers, reports and articles about nanotechnology, biotechnology and information technology — with particular emphasis on how these affect people in developing countries. The website also provides information on the organisation's individual projects, including the use of nanotechnology to provide clean drinking water and the use of telecentres and podcasting to disseminate information in poor areas. And readers can participate in discussions about new technologies and their potential role in development through the website's blog.

This nongovernmental organisation, based in Senegal, works to preserve and revitalise African traditional medicine. It helps create legal frameworks for integrating traditional medicine into existing healthcare systems, and is working to ensure that indigenous medicine is practised according to ethical guidelines. The website provides news on the organisation's activities, and links to images and relevant publications.

ReAct (Action on Antibiotic Resistance) is a coalition that links a range of individuals, organisations and networks around the world taking concerted action to respond to antibiotic resistance. The organisation campaigns for the appropriate use of antibiotics, and for improved hygiene in hospitals to ensure better infection control.

The organisation produces regular publications, often aimed at policymakers, that analyse the different aspects of antibiotic resistance. [ReAct funds this Spotlight]

The Responsible Nano Forum is a non-profit charity that publishes information on the opportunities and risks presented by nanotechnology, aiming to improve public understanding of this subject and encourage public participation in the debate.

The forum runs public engagement programmes and hosts debates on the social and ethical issues of using nanotechnology.

This organisation provides policy analysis, critical information, decision-making tools, and policy advice to governments, civil society organisations and international funders, aiming to stimulate social and economic progress in low- and middle-income countries. It focuses on long-term projects, combining programme implementation with research and analysis. Its website gives an overview of focus areas and current projects in health, good governance, transparency and education. Links to publications are provided, as well as latest news and events.

This website from the International Fund for Agricultural Research shares information on strategies to eradicate rural poverty. The site publishes articles, case studies and videos on key topics including desertification, livestock and rural finance. It also links to relevant reports, projects, programmes and organisations.

SPRERI, based in Anand, India, was established in 1979. The institute aims to be a centre of excellence for renewable energies development, and promotes the use of renewables across the country.

The Faculty for the Future (FFTF) programme, launched in 2004 by the Schlumberger Foundation, offers fellowships that enable women from developing countries to pursue doctoral and postdoctoral studies in the physical sciences at the world's top academic institutions. The website provides information on the application process as well as a link to the online application site that becomes active during the award session, which runs from September to November each year. Profiles of FFTF Fellows are available, as well as conference proceedings, videos and programme statistics.

This charity brings researchers and organisations together to find science-based solutions to problems such as disaster relief and water sanitation in the developing world. Its website provides an overview of activities including a green charcoal project in Uganda, a soil fertility improvement project in Peru and a water purification project in Thailand. Links to its partners and details on how to get involved are available.