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 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
- 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 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.
Eligibility
Beyond the Net Small 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 two Small grants at a time.
Projects
The Internet Society Foundation will not consider requests for:
- Projects that begin within one month of the date they are submitted to the Foundation.
- Projects whose duration will exceed six months.
- Support to Regional Internet Governance Forums (IGFs) or Regional Schools of Internet Governance*.
- Travel costs to attend events, such as conferences or symposiums.
- Reimbursement of costs incurred prior to the signing of the grant agreement.
Criteria
Eligible applications will be reviewed by Internet Society Foundation against the following criteria:
- The project can be completed during the proposed project period.
- The project has clear and achievable goals.
- Letters of Support are provided for all listed partners.
- Chapter/SIG has identified a clear and reasonable means of publicizing the project.
- The project team has identified relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and established reasonable targets.
Any applications that do not meet the above requirements will automatically be disqualified from receiving funding.
Funding
Grants of up to USD $3,500 will be awarded for projects lasting up to six months. Two small grants are available to individual Chapters or SIGs in good standing at one time.
How to Apply
Applications must be completed and submitted online through the Foundation’s Grants Management System, Fluxx. The Fluxx URL — https://isocfoundation.fluxx.io/auth/saml — was uniquely created for the Internet Society’s Chapter Officer users. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and applicants will receive a decision from the Foundation within one month of submission.
* The Foundation will only fund national or regional IGF initiatives that are officially recognized by the United Nations (UN) Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Secretariat.
Recognized national and regional events are generally listed on the UN IGF Secretariat website and meets the core principles for IGFs, as defined in the NRI toolkit. If an event is not currently recognized by the UN, the Foundation will reach out to a representative of the UN IGF Secretariat to verify its eligibility.
Questions?
If you have questions about this programme or the application process, please email [email protected].