Research Grant Programme

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.

Areas of Focus

Statements of interest and subsequent proposals should address topics related to one of the following thematic areas:

Greening the Internet

The Internet both affects and is affected by the environment and climate change. Having a critical awareness of this impact is key to the Internet’s resilience and ensures its sustainability for generations to come. This awareness may include an assessment of energy consumption by the Internet, or the toxins and waste generated by its use.  It may consider the enabling effect the Internet has on other sectors to limit greenhouse gas emissions. It may examine the ways in which climate change and extreme weather threatens Internet infrastructure and limits connectivity. Research focusing on Greening the Internet should promote an awareness of these and other issues concerning the Internet’s environmental footprint and the sustainability measures needed for it and the planet to thrive.

The Internet Economy 

New and emerging Internet-based activities have the power to disrupt our economic landscapes and lead to unpredictable economic futures. Having a firm grasp of the interactions that create the Internet Economy has the potential to reshape this uncertainty. Unpacking how the Internet transforms traditional ideas about competition, production, and consumption of goods and services could be useful in allowing for equitable and gainful participation of everyone in a rapidly digitizing global economy. Research proposals focusing on the Internet Economy should present an analysis of past or present ecosystems that yields insight into the future of the Internet and its dependent market(s).

Future thematic areas to be launched in 2021 include The Digital Divide and A Trustworthy Internet.

Eligibility

• Independent researchers should have a postgraduate research degree (PhD, Masters) and publications/patents in the relevant area   
• Research institutions should be 501c3 or equivalent and should have a mission that is aligned to that of the Foundation

Additional eligibility requirements for all Foundation grants are outlined here. All applicants must ensure that they meet these basic requirements. Underrepresented groups in the research world are highly encouraged to apply.

Application Process

The application process occurs in four stages from the statement of interest to award (and could take up to 3 months):

• Stage 1: The Foundation seeks statements of interest related to the thematic areas and reviews and selects ideas that will move on to stage two.

• Stage 2: The Foundation and the potential grantee will collaborate on a full proposal (5-10 pages). During this phase both parties will determine additional collaborators and resources to complement the research. All parties will then participate in a co-creation workshop to further develop the idea presented in the statement of interest into a full proposal.

• Stage 3: Full proposals developed during stage two will be reviewed by the Independent Review Panel (IRP). The Independent Review Panel recommends which proposals should be considered for funding to the Programme Officer.

• Stage 4: The Programme Officer engages in the final review, negotiation, and determination of grant awards with successful partners.

See more information on the IRP.

Selection Criteria

Statements of Interest

Researchers will be asked to complete a statement of interest that outlines the following:

• What is the thematic area of focus?
• What is your research question? What do you seek to answer?
• Why is this a novel research question? How does this differ from previous research on the same or similar topic?
• How can this research be applied? What practical problem does this research solve?
• Who is the principal investigator?
• Who are your potential collaborators? Why have you chosen them?

Full Proposal

Select researchers will be invited to submit a full proposal to be reviewed by the Independent Review Panel. Final submissions will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Is the research novel?
• Is the research applied?
• Is the research collaborative?

Funding

One or more awards in each of the thematic areas are anticipated subject to fiscal year funding. Grants of up to US$200,000 will be awarded for research lasting up to 2 years. Timeframe:

• Statements of Interest accepted beginning 1 September 2020
• Full Proposal invitations on a rolling basis thereafter

How to apply

Only statements of interest submitted in the Foundation’s grants management system will be considered. Incomplete submissions that do not meet eligibility requirements will not be considered (see Eligibility Requirements).

Questions

If you have questions about this programme or the application process, please email [email protected].