Common Good Cyber Fund Grant Program

The Common Good Cyber Fund Grant Program is administered by the Internet Society Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting an open, globally connected, secure, and trustworthy Internet. Launched in 2025 in collaboration with a Strategic Advisory Committee and ecosystem partners, the program is designed to strengthen the public-interest cybersecurity ecosystem by providing financial support to nonprofit organizations working in this space. The fund pools contributions from a diverse set of international donors, including government agencies and philanthropic institutions, reflecting a coordinated effort to address the growing complexity and scale of cyber threats worldwide. The primary purpose of the program is to sustain and expand the capacity of nonprofit organizations that deliver cybersecurity infrastructure and services, particularly those that serve vulnerable populations and high-risk communities. The program is structured around three key objectives: maintaining critical cybersecurity infrastructure, delivering scalable protection services to users facing digital harm, and advancing a safer Internet through evidence-based coordination and advocacy. Each applicant must align their proposal with one primary objective, though work may span multiple areas. Funding is intended to support operational and programmatic activities that strengthen cybersecurity resilience beyond a single organization. Allowable uses include infrastructure maintenance, threat detection systems, incident response services, user protection mechanisms, and ecosystem coordination efforts. The grants are multi-year operating awards, typically spanning two years, with total funding amounts ranging from 100,000 to 300,000 USD. There is no stated cost-sharing or matching requirement. Projects are expected to deliver sustained impact and contribute to broader ecosystem improvements rather than isolated interventions. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations, specifically U.S. 501(c)(3) entities or international equivalents, that demonstrate a clear alignment with the program’s objectives. Applicants must have the organizational capacity to manage funds, including a valid bank account capable of receiving U.S.-based foundation disbursements. The program prioritizes organizations working in or supporting the global majority, particularly those engaged in ecosystem building or regranting activities. Additional consideration is given to organizations addressing gender equity issues, especially in the context of digital threats such as technology-facilitated gender-based violence. The application process is conducted through the Internet Society Foundation’s grants management platform, Fluxx. Applicants must register in advance and submit a complete application form along with required supporting documents, including financial statements, governance documents, and operational budgets. The application requires detailed responses about organizational capacity, past work, target populations, governance structure, and evaluation practices. Objective-specific questions further assess the applicant’s role within the cybersecurity ecosystem and their contribution to addressing specific gaps. Applications for the 2026 cycle are accepted during a defined open call period from June 23 to August 4, 2026, closing at 21:00 UTC. The review process includes an initial screening followed by external evaluation by an Independent Program Review Committee composed of experts from diverse sectors. Final funding decisions are made after this review process, and applicants are notified after awards are issued. Due to the high volume of applications, individual feedback is not provided to unsuccessful applicants. The program follows a recurring annual cycle, with future funding rounds expected based on the pilot and initial open call structure. Applicants are encouraged to monitor updates through the Foundation’s communications channels. For inquiries, organizations may contact the Foundation via email. Overall, the Common Good Cyber Fund represents a strategic effort to address systemic gaps in cybersecurity support for civil society and high-risk digital actors through sustained, mission-aligned funding.

Ensure responses are specific and directly answer each question; maintain consistency across narrative, budget, and documents; clearly distinguish existing work from proposed activities; align strongly with one primary program objective