What is the role of the Internet in natural disasters and emergencies?  

16 July 2024
Sad man on ruined house. Hopeless, homelessness, result of military conflicts and natural disasters concept.

In today’s world, the growing risk of natural and climate-related disasters is causing more and more disruption to people’s lives. These disasters often lead to loss of Internet connectivity, leaving individuals isolated from their loved ones and from vital information during times of crisis.  Using the Internet to support resiliency and disaster management has become…

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Announcing the 2024 BOLT Grant Program: Empowering Innovation for Global Internet Access 

2 July 2024
Two people lighting candles at a gathering for SOLE Colombia

The Internet Society Foundation is thrilled to announce the launch of the 2024 edition of our Building Opportunities/Leveraging Technologies (BOLT) Grant Program. This initiative is designed to support teams of innovators dedicated to improving Internet access and connectivity in unconnected or underserved communities worldwide.  The BOLT Grant Program focuses on developing access and connectivity solutions…

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Internet Society Foundation Appoints Chris Locke as New Executive Vice President and Managing Director

1 July 2024

Washington, DC, 1 July 2024— The Internet Society Foundation today announced the appointment of Chris Locke as the new Executive Vice President (EVP) and Managing Director. In this role, he will oversee the strategic vision and provide programmatic, financial, and operational leadership for the Foundation, which focuses on funding initiatives that strengthen the Internet in…

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New round of funding awarded for building and expanding Internet connectivity 

28 June 2024
Kids in front of a computer

We are pleased to announce 10 new grantees in the 2024 Connecting the Unconnected funding program. This program supports communities and organizations working to build and expand Internet infrastructure in rural, remote, and low-income communities with the goal of connecting people to the Internet through community networks, municipal networks, cooperatives, and other forms of complementary…

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Announcing new round of funding to promote Internet resiliency in disaster response 

11 June 2024
A city impacted by a natural disaster

We are thrilled to announce a new round of funding for our Resiliency Grant Program, which supports projects that ensure local communities are prepared to deploy, maintain, and repair Internet infrastructure and restore connectivity in areas affected by natural disasters.  Grants ranging from USD $250,000 to $500,000 will be awarded for projects lasting up to…

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BOLT Amplify: Listen to Stories of Bridging the Digital Divide 

15 May 2024
Two men work on a communications antenna in front of a blue sky and hills in the background

The Internet Society Foundation is proud to present BOLT Amplify. This series of audio episodes was co-created by Media Justice (in partnership with In Flux), and two BOLT Program grant partners to showcase the impact of their project and the Internet on communities worldwide.  BOLT empowers technologists, researchers, and social change makers to develop innovative…

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Challenges and opportunities in achieving gender digital inclusion 

18 April 2024
Office Meeting in Conference Room.

A new research report by the Global Digital Inclusion Partnership (GDIP), Connected Resilience: Gendered Experiences of Meaningful Connectivity through a Global Pandemic, examines the challenges and opportunities in achieving gender digital inclusion, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. The research study supported by the Internet Society Foundation draws on women’s experiences from nine countries in the Global…

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Announcing $4.5 Million in Funding to Support Research on the Future of the Internet 

2 April 2024
A group of staff discuss their project around a table in front of a glass wall

We are proud to announce the opening of our 2024 application cycle for the Research Grant Program. This program offers grants of up to US$500,000 to support researchers worldwide examining the future and sustainability of the Internet. We encourage independent researchers, non-profit organizations, and public research institutions worldwide to submit proposals that explore the following…

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Internet Society Foundation releases new program impact reports: Advancing an Internet for everyone 

13 March 2024
Rwandan students show their computers in a site visit from the Beyond The Net grant Program

Around the world, our grant partners work daily to drive positive change in their communities through the Internet. From connecting more people to the Internet to encouraging dialogue on Internet governance – they engage in a range of activities that contribute to building a more inclusive and accessible Internet for everyone.  We’re excited to showcase…

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New round of funding awarded to promote Internet resiliency in disaster response  

30 January 2024
A city impacted by a natural disaster

We are pleased to announce a new round of grant funding to six projects in three countries to promote Internet infrastructure and network resiliency through our Resiliency Grant Program.  Established in 2021, this program supports communities to ensure readiness, maintain and repair Internet infrastructure, and maintain or re-establish connectivity when faced with unexpected events such…

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