The Internet Society Foundation Research Grant Program backs independent, rigorous research on how the internet shapes society, the environment, and technology ecosystems. The program is designed for researchers who want to produce credible evidence that can genuinely inform how the internet is governed, built, and used in the public interest, rather than in the interest of any single commercial or political actor.
About the Internet Society Foundation Research Grant Program
Administered by the Internet Society Foundation, the independent charitable arm of the Internet Society, the Research Grant Program is one of the Foundation’s primary mechanisms for building a body of evidence around the internet’s real-world impact. The program has a broad thematic remit, covering societal effects including digital inclusion, human rights, and governance; environmental impact including energy consumption and sustainability.
Funding Size
- Funding amounts vary by project scope and are confirmed during the review process
- Multi-year projects may be considered depending on scope
- No stated minimum or maximum; applicants are encouraged to request budgets proportionate to their research plan
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Who Can Apply
- Academic researchers and university-affiliated research teams
- Independent research organizations and think tanks
- Civil society organizations with demonstrated research capacity
- Individual researchers with a track record of peer-reviewed or publicly disseminated work
- Applications are accepted from researchers and organizations worldwide
Geographic Eligibility
- Open globally
- Research topics must relate to the internet’s impact on society, environment, or technology; no geographic restriction on where the research is conducted or where the applicant is based
Sector or Thematic Focus
- Internet’s impact on society including digital inclusion, human rights online, and civic participation
- Environmental impact of the internet including energy use and carbon footprint of digital infrastructure
- Technological dimensions including network architecture, routing, protocol evolution, and cybersecurity
Application Process
Applications are submitted through the Internet Society Foundation’s online grants portal. Applicants submit a research proposal describing the research question, methodology, expected outputs, dissemination plan, and budget. The Foundation reviews proposals against its published criteria and notifies applicants of decisions on a rolling or cohort basis depending on the cycle.
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Required Materials
- Completed online application form
- Research proposal covering research question, methodology, expected outputs, and public dissemination plan
- Researcher or team biography and relevant track record
- Detailed budget with justification
- Institutional affiliation or organizational registration details
Key Dates
- Application deadline: May 22, 2026
Selection Notes
- Research must be designed for public dissemination; proprietary or commercially restricted outputs are not eligible
- Independence and methodological rigor are the primary evaluation criteria
- The Foundation actively encourages applications from researchers in the Global South and from underrepresented research communities
- Meeting eligibility criteria does not guarantee an award; selection is competitive