NLNet Foundation grants for open source projects

NLNet Foundation grants for open source projects is sponsored by NLnet Foundation. The NLnet Foundation provides grants for open source projects by independent researchers and developers, with a focus on open licenses and open standards. They fund ideas to 'fix the internet'.

Announcing our new deadline sequence. We support projects that contribute to an open, resilient, trustworthy, sustainable and human-centered internet. Are you working on open hardware, open software, open data or open standards?

We financially support organisations and people who are developing open solutions that empower users on all layers of technology. We have back-to-back open calls, so you can always submit a proposal. There is a deadline on the 3 rd of every odd month.

We do our best to offer a low-threshold application mechanism. We've kept the application form short so as not to waste your time. In principle anyone can apply: individuals, research organisations, non-profits, public institutions, companies of any size and type, etc. However, do read the eligiblity section of the fund you are applying for, as specific conditions may apply.

All projects must be free/libre/open source: all scientific outcomes must be published as open access, and any software and hardware developed must be published under a recognised free and open source license in its entirety. New funds will become active after the summer. We're currently transitioning from our Next Generation Internet programmes to the Open Internet Stack.

The upcoming funds are announced on our homepage . Promoting W3C ActivityPub and beyond Research and Higher Education Technology Fund Today we make the internet of tomorrow Financial cuts and the 'publish or perish' paradigm are increasingly impacting the capability of the research and education community to contribute to the future of the internet - while the internet needs their talent and ideas more than ever.

The Research and Higher Education Technology Fund was created to help fund small initiatives that can make a noticeable difference to the users and providers of Research and Education networks. NGI Zero funds are made possible with financial support from the European Commission 's Next Generation Internet programme, under the aegis of DG Communications Networks, Content and Technology .

Come meet us in the Fediverse Currently open for proposals: And help us support the open internet! NLnet is looking for a junior/senior technology assessor. Come by for a chat every last Wednesday of the month at 4 PM CET in our Matrix room.

Conversations with people building the Next Generation Internet Nominate Free Software Projects for the four €10. 000 BlueHats Prizes. Help us with 5 minutes of your time.

2026-08-26 - Office hour: Ask us Anything Five new projects strengthen NGI Pilots 2026-08-11 NLnet announces 60 projects strenghtening the digital commons 2026-08-08 NLnet changes deadlines to odd months 2026-08-03 Help us by protecting open source and its users with 5 minutes of your time. Nominate Free Software Projects for the four €10. 000 BlueHats Prizes.