Apply Now for Internet Society Foundation Research Grant Program 2026

Application Deadline: May 22, 2026 (21:00 UTC)

About the Grant

The Internet Society Foundation Research Grant Program 2026 is now open, offering up to $500,000 in funding to support innovative research that improves the accessibility, security, and trustworthiness of the internet worldwide. This is a major opportunity for researchers, institutions, and organizations working on solutions that shape the future of the internet. The Research Grant Program supports global collaborations that investigate the impact and utility of the Internet in promoting human well-being. This program is deeply rooted in the Foundation’s overarching mission to ensure that the Internet remains a force for good: open, globally connected, secure, and trustworthy. Over the past five years, the program has funded more than 70 research projects with a global investment exceeding $22 million, influencing policy decisions, industry practices, and technological innovation.

The program funds high-impact research projects that address critical global internet challenges, particularly in underserved and developing regions. All research funded under this program must be open-access and address concrete issues that influence decision-making in government or industry.

Focus Areas

Applicants must align their proposals with at least one of the following four strategic focus areas:

1. Inclusive Internet: Research aimed at addressing barriers to internet access and participation, including affordability, gender inequality, geographic location, and digital literacy. Projects should explore how to ensure equitable access to the internet’s benefits for all communities.

2. Greening the Internet: Research on the environmental impact of internet infrastructure, energy consumption, and climate adaptation. Projects should investigate how to reduce the carbon footprint of digital technologies and build climate-resilient networks.

3. Measuring Meaningful Connectivity: Research focused on redefining connectivity beyond basic access exploring how internet use enables people to meaningfully participate in economic, social, and civic life. Projects should develop metrics and methodologies that capture the quality and utility of internet connections.

4. A Trustworthy Internet: Research on internet security, reliability, accountability, and emerging risks that affect trust in digital systems. Projects may explore issues such as data privacy, platform governance, misinformation, and the societal implications of centralization.

Funding Details

• Grant Amount: Up to $500,000 per project for organizations and public research institutions
• Independent researchers: Up to $200,000 per project 
• Project Duration: Typically, up to 2 years
• Funding Type: Research-based, impact-driven projects with open-access requirements

Award Types:

• Independent researchers: May receive up to USD 200,000
• Public research institutions: May receive up to USD 500,000
• Awards are made directly to principal investigators or institutions depending on applicant type

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Applicants:

• Independent researchers must hold a postgraduate research degree (Master’s or PhD) and demonstrate a track record of peer-reviewed or otherwise independently validated scholarly work
• Public research institutions must be public entities with 501(c)(3) status or equivalent, aligned with the mission of the Internet Society Foundation
• Non-profit organizations with research missions aligned to the Foundation’s goals
• Collaborative and interdisciplinary projects are highly encouraged

Ineligible Applicants:

• Private institutions are ineligible
• International organizations must undergo equivalency determination if not already 501(c)(3)

Additional Requirements:

• Research involving human or animal subjects must adhere to ethical standards and local legal requirements, with appropriate certifications handled by the principal investigator
• All research funded must be open-access
• The program emphasizes inclusivity, especially encouraging applications from underrepresented groups in the research field and from the Global South 

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated by independent External Reviewers based on the following criteria :

• Alignment with focus areas – Relevance to one or more of the four strategic themes
• Innovation and originality – Novel approaches to addressing internet-related challenges
• Practical impact and policy relevance – Potential to influence decision-making in government or industry
• Collaborative and intersectional approaches – Interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral research designs
• Novelty and applied impact – Clear real-world applications and outcomes

What You Will Gain

• Significant funding to execute large-scale research projects (up to $500,000 for institutions)
• Opportunity to influence global internet policy and development through evidence-based research
• Access to an international network of researchers and experts in internet governance, digital inclusion, and technology policy
• Visibility and credibility in the global research community through open-access publication and Foundation promotion
• Contribution to a more inclusive, sustainable, and trustworthy internet for communities worldwide

Timeline

• Applications Open: April 7, 2026 
• Application Deadline: May 22, 2026 (21:00 UTC) 
• Information Sessions: April 20 and 21, 2026 (for prospective applicants) 

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

How to Apply

Apply through the official Internet Society Foundation grants portal using the Foundation’s online grant management system (Fluxx).

Application Link: Click here

Applicants will need to submit:

• A detailed research proposal aligned with one of the four focus areas
• Budget plan (detailing how funds will be utilized)
• Institutional documentation (proof of eligibility status)
• Team credentials (CVs of principal investigators and key researchers)
• Ethics compliance documentation (if applicable)

Important Application Notes:

• Register on the Fluxx platform at least 24 hours before the deadline
• Applications must be submitted in English, French, or Spanish
• Ensure all eligibility and document requirements are met before submitting

Why This Grant Matters

The internet is at a critical juncture. Issues of access, trust, sustainability, and governance have never been more important. Yet research that could inform policy and practice often remains behind paywalls or disconnected from real-world applications.

The Internet Society Foundation Research Grant Program addresses these gaps by:

• Funding open-access research that anyone can read, use, and build upon
• Supporting researchers from underrepresented groups and the Global South
• Focusing on applied impact that can shape policy, industry, and community action
• Building a global community of scholars working on the internet’s most pressing challenges

Example Project: One funded project is investigating the “real” centralization of the internet how many services and servers are practically centralized via content delivery networks (CDNs) and “as-a-Service” providers. This research is developing a new global measurement platform to assess centralization and provide critical insights for operators, users, policymakers, and governance bodies. By investing in rigorous, open, and impact-oriented research, the Foundation is helping to ensure that the internet remains a force for good: open, globally connected, secure, and trustworthy for everyone.

Click here to apply

For More Information: Visit the Official website