Overview
The Sustainable Technical Communities Funding Program at Internet Society Foundation supports local technical communities in organizing technical events that foster knowledge exchange, empower ecosystem stakeholders, and contribute to the development and evolution of the Internet. By providing funding for event costs, this program aims to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of these communities globally.
Program Objectives
The program has the following objectives:
- Knowledge Exchange: Contribute to the exchange of knowledge and best practices related to Internet technologies, including peering.
- Advisory Role: Support communities to strengthen their ability to advise on the implementation of Internet-related policies and serve as a technical expertise hub.
- Capacity Building: Enhance technical expertise in ecosystems through trainings, governance best practices, and content development.
- Impact and Dialogue: Strengthen the impact of the Internet Society Foundation’s mission by fostering open dialogue and follow-up actions from funded events.
Eligible events can receive funding for space rental, catering, publicity, and outreach efforts to encourage diverse participation.
What is a Technical Community?
A technical community is a group of professionals with working knowledge of the technologies that make the Internet function. These communities typically meet to collaboratively build, promote, and protect an open, globally connected, secure, and trustworthy Internet. They achieve this by sharing knowledge, building capacity, and advising on Internet policy and technology. Examples of technical communities include:
- Network Operator Groups (NOGs)
- National Research and Education Networks (NRENs)
- Country-code Top Level Domain Operators (ccTLDs)
- Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs)
Eligibility and Review Process
Eligibility Criteria
- The funding is available to organizations directly involved in planning and executing technical events.
- Organizations must have an official bank account in their name.
- Applications should be submitted at least 8-10 weeks prior to the event’s start date to allow for sufficient review time.
Selection Criteria
The selection of applications will be based on the following criteria:
- Alignment with Program Objectives: The event must support the goals of the Sustainable Technical Communities funding program.
- Clear Need and Issue: The event must address a well-identified need related to Internet development or peering.
- Applicant Expertise: The applicant must have the necessary knowledge and experience to achieve the event’s objectives.
- Clear Expected Outcomes: The application must demonstrate clear and measurable outcomes relative to the funding amount.
- Previous Reporting Compliance: If the applicant has received prior funding, they must have submitted all required reports from previous grants.
Funding Details
- Funding Available: Up to $6,000 USD per event, available on an annual basis.
- One event per organization for local/national events and two events per organization for regional events.
- Budget Requirement: Applicants must submit a detailed budget explaining how the funds will be used.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online via the Internet Society Foundation’s grant management platform. Only complete, eligible, and on-time applications will be considered.
- Deadline: Submit your application at least 8-10 weeks before the event’s start date.
- Apply Now: Submit your application
Sample Projects
The following are examples of events that may be supported by the program:
- National Network Operators Group Launch: Establishment of a technical community in a new country.
- Technical Gatherings: Community events focused on the design and deployment of computer networks.
- Routing Security Discussions: Sharing best practices on routing security.
Note: These examples are not exhaustive, and applicants are encouraged to propose other relevant events.
Exclusions
This funding program does not support:
- Digital literacy trainings or outreach programs for the general public.
- “Train-the-Trainer” programs focusing on basic digital skills.
- Non-technical policy and technology discussion forums.
- Staff training for a single organization or charity.
For such initiatives, please contact your local Internet Society chapter for potential collaboration.
Reporting
Recipients must submit a narrative report about their event within 30 days after its completion via the online Fluxx platform.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding this program or the application process, please contact us. Due to limited staff capacity, we cannot guarantee a response to inquiries received after the working day before the application window closes.
For further learning, we offer a set of online courses on network operations and peering, including topics like:
- Fundamentals of Designing and Deploying Computer Networks
- Introduction to Network Operations
- Advanced Network Operations 2.0
- IXP 2.0
Apply Now and strengthen your community’s technical capacity!
