Research Grant Program

The Research Grant Program is administered by the Internet Society Foundation, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that the Internet remains open, globally connected, secure, and trustworthy. The Foundation operates as a philanthropic entity supporting initiatives aligned with its long-term strategic vision for 2030, which emphasizes equitable access to Internet infrastructure and the development of a digital ecosystem that benefits people worldwide. Through this program, the Foundation seeks to advance research collaborations that deepen understanding of the Internet’s societal, economic, and technological value. The primary purpose of the program is to support applied, open research that addresses real-world Internet-related challenges. Funded projects are expected to generate actionable insights and contribute to policy, infrastructure development, or digital inclusion strategies. All supported research must be openly published and made accessible to the global scientific and policy community without cost. The Foundation encourages innovative methodologies and interdisciplinary approaches that can inform decision-making processes in both government and industry sectors. The program is structured around four thematic areas: Inclusive Internet, Greening the Internet, Measuring Meaningful Connectivity, and A Trustworthy Internet. Each theme targets a critical dimension of Internet development. Inclusive Internet research focuses on addressing structural barriers to access, including affordability, infrastructure limitations, and socio-economic disparities. Greening the Internet emphasizes environmental sustainability and resilience of digital infrastructure. Measuring Meaningful Connectivity seeks to refine how connectivity is assessed beyond simple access metrics, while A Trustworthy Internet examines issues related to security, reliability, and user trust in digital systems. Funding is available at two levels depending on the applicant type. Independent researchers serving as principal investigators may request up to 200000 USD, while eligible organizations and public research institutions may request up to 500000 USD. Awards are made with the expectation that recipients will manage project execution and reporting responsibilities throughout the grant period. The Foundation anticipates making one or more awards per thematic area, subject to available funding in the fiscal year. Eligibility is limited to qualified independent researchers and public research institutions that align with the Foundation’s mission. Individual applicants must hold a postgraduate degree and demonstrate a record of scholarly or technical contributions through publications, patents, or equivalent work. Organizational applicants must be nonprofit entities, such as those with 501c3 status or an equivalent designation. Private institutions are not eligible to receive funding. All research involving human or animal subjects must meet ethical standards and obtain appropriate certifications prior to project initiation. Applications are accepted through an online grants management system, and submission required prior registration in the platform. The application window opened on April 7, 2026 and closes on May 22, 2026. Submissions have to be completed before the deadline and can not be submitted via email. Applications are accepted in English, French, or Spanish. Following submission, proposals are reviewed by the Foundation, the Internet Society, and independent external experts. The evaluation process considered alignment with thematic areas, novelty, applicability, collaboration, and intersectionality of the proposed research.

Ensure strong alignment with thematic areas, demonstrate novelty and real-world applicability, and emphasize collaboration and intersectional research approaches