Internet Society Foundation

Our Strengthening Communities/Improving Lives and Livelihoods (SCILLS) grant programme aims to expand economic growth, improve health outcomes and increase educational opportunities by supporting individuals and communities to more knowledgeably and skillfully use the Internet.

The Foundation is committed to working with organizations that focus in one (or all) of the following three areas: Economic Growth, Health and Education.

In Year One, the Foundation will target its efforts in one country in each of three distinct regions: Asia Pacific, LAC and Africa. The target countries for our first launch for applications are Bangladesh, Colombia and Senegal.

The Internet Society Foundation’s Research Programme supports global research collaborations that advance understanding of the Internet and its value for all.

Programme Objectives
Promote novel methodologies that generate solutions to Internet-related challenges
Identify and support a diverse and collaborative group of researchers and research institutions
Facilitate access to intersectional research that can be applied to decision-making in government and industry.

This programme is intended for research that is applied and open, meaning the research seeks to answer a real-world question and should be openly published and made available to the scientific community at no cost. The Foundation supports research involving human or animal subjects when the project has been certified by a responsible body to be ethical and in compliance with local law. It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator of the project to obtain these certifications.

The Internet Society Foundation’s Beyond the Net Large Grant Programme offers funding to support Internet Society Chapters and Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to implement innovative projects that make a local impact by providing meaningful access to an open, trusted, and globally-connected Internet.

Programme Objectives:

Strengthen the impact of the Internet Society and the Internet Society Foundation’s mission and global initiatives with complementary local activities
Contribute to the development of the Chapter and local community
Engage members and Chapter leadership around a common activity
Develop new or strengthen existing relationships and partnerships at the local level

The Internet Society Foundation’s Beyond the Net Small Grant Programme offers funding to support Internet Society Chapters and Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to implement short-term projects with a goal of providing learning opportunities, increasing membership in the Chapter/SIG, or undertaking specific research projects.

Programme Objectives
Strengthen the impact of the Internet Society and the Internet Society Foundation’s mission and global initiatives with complementary local activities
Contribute to the development of the Chapter and local community
Engage members and Chapter leadership around a common activity
Develop new or strengthen existing relationships and partnerships at the local level

Focus Areas:
The Foundation will support Internet Society Chapters and SIGs to implement small, short-term projects, such as events, trainings or research initiatives that promote the open, globally-connected, secure, and trustworthy Internet for all that positively impacts humanity. Chapters have the option to tie their projects to the Internet Society’s Strengthening the Internet or Growing the Internet projects or may submit applications for funding initiatives that address needs specific to their communities. The Beyond the Net Small grants can also be used to support National or Local IGFs as well as National Schools of Internet Governance.

The Resiliency Program supports projects that increase network resiliency in communities prone to natural and climate-related disasters, so that these communities will be better able to prepare for and withstand the effects of natural and climate-related disasters on Internet connectivity.

The Resiliency program is one component of the Foundation’s RARE (Resiliency & Responding to Emergencies) program, which seeks to help communities enhance preparedness and build Internet resiliency when faced with adverse events such as national disasters.

Program Objectives:
Ensure readiness of local communities to maintain or repair Internet connectivity
Re-establish Internet connectivity for communities affected by natural and climate-related disasters

The Internet Society Foundation takes a futurist approach to support the development of innovative methods, technologies, and infrastructure that seek to enhance Internet connectivity and access. The Foundation aims to support teams of creatives, technologists, researchers, and social/cultural workers to design and build prototypes and pilots that will bring into reality innovative solutions to Internet connectivity particularly among communities where current technologies are unavailable or not readily accessible. By focusing our funding in this way, the Foundation will create opportunities to expand the vision of the Internet Society, that The Internet is for everyone.