Application Status

Grant Deadline

3 July 2020


Target Audience

Internet Society Chapters and SIGs

Beyond the Net Large Grants (formerly known as Medium/Large) are specifically for Internet Society (ISOC) Chapters and Special Interest Groups (SIGs) with innovative ideas that contribute to the empowerment of people through 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

Focus Areas

At the Internet Society Foundation, we believe in an open, globally-connected, secure, and trustworthy Internet for all that produces a positively impacts humanity. The Internet Society Chapters and SIGs help to achieve this goal at the local level by developing initiatives within one of the following focus areas:

Strengthening the Internet

Growing the Internet

The Internet Society Foundation may fund projects outside of the focus areas listed above. Such exceptions could include a Chapter or SIG having previously been funded to implement projects outside of these funding areas and can demonstrate the value of continuing this work.  Or a Chapter or SIG can demonstrate strong local need. Strong local need could include an urgent legislative proposal or the Chapter’s unique ability to work with an underserved community. In all instances, projects must support the overall mission of the Internet Society Foundation. 

Given the exceptional situation created by the spread of COVID-19, the Foundation will also accept applications that propose Internet-based solutions in response to local needs created by the pandemic. On this note, the Foundation encourages Chapters and SIGs to consider the health and safety of their members, participants and the broader community. To this end, virtual events, trainings and learning opportunities are encouraged when possible.

Eligibility

Beyond the Net Large Grants are available to the Internet Society Chapter and SIGs only. Chapters and SIGs must also meet the following criteria:

  • Be in good standing (or pre-rejuvenation – on a case by case basis) and meet the minimum Chapter/SIG standards as outlined in the Chapter’s Charter.
  • Have an official bank account in their name (based on their legal registration) in order to receive Internet Society Foundation funds.
  • Are not undergoing a rejuvenation process.
  • Have submitted required funding reports from previous years.
  • Chapters and SIGs may only receive one Large grant per calendar year

Any applications that do not meet the above requirements will automatically be disqualified from receiving funding.

Application Review Process

The Beyond the Net Large Grants Selection Committee is responsible for the review, evaluation, and selection of applications, in accordance with the approved selection criteria, in a manner that reflects the values and mission of the Internet Society.

Selection Committee

The members of the 2020 Selection Committee are:

  • Chapter representatives
    • Nadira AL-Araj, Independent researcher and member of ISOC Palestine Chapter
    • Amrita Choudhury, Director of CCAOI, President of Internet Society India, Delhi Chapter and the APAC Lead of ISOC Women SIG
    • Sara Fratti, Consultant at Fundación Avina and member of ISOC Women SIG
    • Cedrick Adrien Mbeyet, Infrastructure Unit Manager at AFRINIC and member of ISOC Senegal Chapter
    • Vincenzo Puliatti, CEO, ITSYN Srl and Board Member of ISOC Italy Chapter
    • Alfredo Calderon Serrano, eLearning Consultant and member of ISOC Puerto Rico Chapter
    • Pierre-Jean Darres, Consultant in International Affairs and member of ISOC Canada-Québec Chapter
  • ISOC Project representatives
    • Each of the eight ISOC project areas will be represented on the Selection Committee by an ISOC employee. 
  • Internet Society Foundation employee

Selection Criteria

The selection criteria against which the Selection Committee will review eligible applications is:

  • The proposed project is in-line with ISOC’s 2020 Action Plan and the overall mission of the Foundation.
  • The proposed project effectively responds to a clearly identified need (for individuals, communities and/or the broader Internet community).
  • The proposed project provides a creative solution for the presented problem, that is well tailored to the local environment. 
  • The Chapter/SIG has a plan to ensure the project will be sustainable beyond this funding. 
  • Technical specifications are suitable to accomplish the project activities and the equipment requested is appropriate for the execution of the project.
  • The project team has identified relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and established reasonable targets.

Funding

One Large grant is available per Chapter or SIG in good standing at a time. Chapters and SIGs must have successfully completed all reporting for previous projects before being eligible to receive further Beyond the Net Large Grant funding. 

Grants of up to USD $30,000 will be awarded for projects lasting up to 24 months. 

Application Deadline

The 2020 Beyond the Net Large Grants funding cycle will take place as follow:

  • Round 1 — To account for COVID-19, deadlines for Round 1 have been extended
    • Applications accepted: Week of 13 April to 3 July 2020
    • Decisions will be shared in two waves:
      • The week of 6 July 2020
      • The week of 3 August 2020
    • Projects can be implemented:
      • Beginning 13 July 2020  (for approvals received the week of 6 July 2020)
      • Beginning 10 August 2020 (for approvals received the week of 3 August 2020)
  • Round 2
    • Applications accepted: 5 October to 31 December 2020
    • Decisions will be shared the week of 22 February 2021
    • Projects can be implemented beginning 1 March 2021 

How To Apply

Applications must be completed and submitted online based on the above funding cycle. Incomplete applications or applications that do not meet eligibility requirements will not be considered (see “Eligibility” section above). 

Questions?

If you have questions about this programme or the application process, please email Beyond_the_Net@isocfoundation.org.