Beyond the Net Grant

Beyond the Net Grant Program
The Internet Society Foundation’s Beyond the Net Grant Program offers funding to support Internet Society Chapters to implement innovative projects that make a local impact by providing meaningful access to an open, trusted, and globally-connected Internet, as well as strengthening the Chapters’ presence in the surrounding community.
Program Objectives
Strengthen the impact of the Internet Society and the Internet Society Foundation’s mission and global initiatives with complementary local activities. Develop new and strengthen existing relationships and partnerships at the local level.
Focus Areas
The Foundation will support Internet Society Chapters to implement initiatives within one or more of the following thematic areas:

• Community-Centered Connectivity:

Projects that support community-centered connectivity for unconnected and under-connected populations by providing easy, sustainable solutions, and training on productive use of the Internet.
Affordable and Reliable Access:
Projects that make access affordable and resilient for unconnected and under-connected populations by improving, supporting, or advocating for the development of local Internet interconnection infrastructure (e.g., IXPs).
Online Trust and Safety:

• Projects that equip recently connected people with knowledge and skills to protect themselves and their communities online.
• Open and Trustworthy Internet:

Projects that advocate for and educate policy makers, courts, decision makers, and commercial entities about threats to the Internet as an open and accessible platform for free expression and the exchange of ideas, safeguarding fundamental rights, ensuring the well-being of users, and fostering trust in digital technologies.

Eligibility

Beyond the Net grants are available to Internet Society Chapters who meet the following criteria:Are in good standing (or pre-rejuvenation – on a case-by-case basis) and meet the minimum standards as outlined in the Chapter’s Charter.Have an official bank account in their name (based on their legal registration) in order to receive Internet Society Foundation funds.Are not undergoing a rejuvenation process.Have submitted all required reports for other Internet Society Foundation-funded projects.Are not in an election period.Chapters may manage a maximum of two simultaneous Beyond the Net grants, not to exceed USD $55,000 in total. There is no annual cap on the number of grants a chapter can receive in a year. Chapters that wish to manage more than USD $35,000 must have successfully managed a single ISOC Foundation grant of USD $20,000 or more within the past 3 years.For single grants exceeding USD $20,000, the proposed project must be conducted in partnership with at least one external partner. External partners can include: local non-profit organizations, businesses, universities, and other ISOC Chapters. Proposed projects should be designed within the following parameters:Applications require at least eight to ten weeks from the project start date to process.Proposals must have a clear focus and cohesive objectives.Projects exceeding $20,000 must be implemented in a period of at least 6 months.Names and qualifications of paid staff and chapter officers must be included in grant applications and budgets.  External labor should be included under Contractual Services and can include chapter members (not officers). Grant expenses must be paid directly by the chapter, not through any third parties such as nonprofits or companies run by chapter leaders.Currency exchange rates should be shown in budgets. Please ensure that the most current exchange rate is used.
You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member. Beyond the Net grants are available to Internet Society Chapters who meet the criteria

Ineligibility

Please do not submit new BtN grant proposals while your chapter has two active BtN grants or an active BtN grant valued at your maximum funding eligibility.Applications received less than 8 weeks in advance of a proposed start date will be declined immediately.Foundation funding cannot be used for any expenses incurred before signing of the grant agreement.Applications combining multiple different projects under a single proposal will not be considered. Projects should not exceed 24 months.Personnel expenses for elected chapter officers cannot exceed 20% of the total grant amount.Elected chapter officers cannot be paid contractors in Beyond the Net projects.