Resiliency Grant Program

The Internet Society Foundation’s Resiliency Program supports projects that increase network resiliency in communities prone to natural disasters, so that these communities will be better able to prepare for and withstand the effects of natural disasters on Internet connectivity.

The Resiliency Program is one component of the Foundation’s RARE (Resiliency & Responding to Emergencies) Program, which seeks to help communities enhance preparedness and build Internet resiliency when faced with adverse events such as national disasters.

Program Objectives

• Ensure readiness of local communities to maintain or repair Internet connectivity 
• Re-establish Internet connectivity for communities affected by natural and climate-related disasters

Overview

With the constant threat of natural and climate-related disasters, people around the world are experiencing more and more disruption in their lives and to their livelihoods. The damage from these disasters often interrupts Internet connectivity and isolates people from family, friends and information in a time of crisis and vulnerability. The Resiliency program aims to provide support for these communities to be prepared for and reconnect to the Internet quickly after natural and climate-related disasters strike.

The Internet Society Foundation will support organizations with experience and direct knowledge of Internet resiliency to deploy resilient Internet infrastructure and provide training to local stakeholders on its use in the event or in the aftermath of natural and climate-related disasters.

Examples of the types of projects the Foundation will support includes:

• Supporting development of community networks
• Hardening data centers and IXPs against environmental threats
• Fortifying sub-sea cables and/or stations
• Supporting ISPs to upgrade infrastructure

Eligibility

The basic eligibility requirements for all Foundation grants are outlined here. All applicants must ensure that they meet these basic requirements.

The Foundation seeks to fund teams housed in organizations that align with the Internet Society’s mission and its work for an open, globally connected, secure, and trustworthy Internet for everyone.

The specific requirements for the Resiliency Program are:

• Organizations with 501(c)(3) or equivalent status that have a mission that is aligned to that of the Internet Society
• Demonstrated capacity to manage grant awards between $250,000 to $500,000
• Prior experience with Internet resiliency and or reconnection projects
• Prior experience working on global projects or projects that are multi-national
• Prior experience working in disaster management, emergency response, or recovery

Application Process

This is an open call for funding. Any team which meets our eligibility criteria is welcome to apply. Applications will open starting 20 July 2023 and close on 15 September 2023. Final award decisions will be made later this year.

Selection Criteria

Organizations will be asked in the online application form to clearly demonstrate their ability to:

• Demonstrate previous experience in managing grants between $250,000 to $500,000 within a one-year period.  Experience in managing subawards to local groups is desirable as well.
• Possess alignment with the purposes and activities of Internet Society (ISOC), the Foundation’s supported organization.

An Independent Program Review Committee (IPRC) will determine the success of eligible applications based on the following:

• The proposed project effectively responds to a clearly identified need.
• The proposed project addresses not only the immediate crisis, but also provides resiliency after this more urgent need has been addressed.
• The applicant demonstrates the necessary knowledge, experience and capacity required to rapidly and successfully implement this project.
• The proposed project clearly illustrates how a connectivity solution will support the affected community.
• The project team has identified relevant outcome indicators that demonstrate sufficient impact, relative to the funding level.

Funding

Grants of $250,000 to $500,000 USD will be awarded for 12-month projects.

How To Apply

Applicants are strongly encouraged to register their organization in the Foundation’s grants managements system prior to the application window opening. Only applications 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). Please allow adequate time to prepare your registration submission as it will be closely reviewed by Foundation staff.

Only applications submitted in the Foundation’s grants management system by the deadline will be considered for funding. We encourage you to submit your application early.

You may also consult this guidance on how to develop a strong application.

Questions?

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