Does your research team or technology organisation meet the applicant and programme conditions for open social internet infrastructure, including federated social networking, activitypub and interoperable community platforms?
NLnet Foundation offers a distinct funding stream for open social internet infrastructure, including federated social networking, activitypub and interoperable community platforms. The eligible applicant and real project scope matter more than the donor’s headquarters or the presence of a broad regional label.
Funding snapshot
- Funding organisation: NLnet Foundation
- Funding: Normally €5,000–50,000 under NLnet’s general funding rules
- Deadline: Next proposal cutoff 3 November 2026, 12:00 noon CET
- Who can apply: Open-source developers, researchers, nonprofits and relevant organisations with technically viable internet-commons projects
- Geographical restrictions: NLnet’s general applications can be worldwide; EU-backed funds may require a strong European dimension, and applicants should check the precise Open Social Fund conditions.
Who is eligible and who is not?
Open-source developers, researchers, nonprofits and relevant organisations with technically viable internet-commons projects
NLnet’s general applications can be worldwide; EU-backed funds may require a strong European dimension, and applicants should check the precise Open Social Fund conditions.
Important limitations: This is technical open-source R&D rather than standard community grants. Work products should use recognised open licences. NLnet warns against mostly AI-generated proposals or deliverables.
Project fit and potential value
A nonprofit technologist could propose improvements to an ActivityPub social platform’s privacy and accessibility, provided the work genuinely advances internet commons.
This illustration describes a possible project direction, not an approved application. Applicants should verify that their own idea, host institution, delivery record and technical or research expertise genuinely meet all the relevant assessment criteria.
How to prepare your application
Describe the technical problem, reusable open-source contribution, beneficiaries, work packages and budget, then apply through NLnet’s short proposal portal with transparent AI-use declarations where relevant.
- Get formal institutional authority and confirm the eligible lead applicant before drafting.
- Write a measurable plan showing the problem, method, timeline, roles and realistic expected outputs.
- Clarify research ethics, safeguarding, data privacy, intellectual property, open licensing and community participation wherever they are relevant.
- Create a properly costed budget; distinguish a funder’s published averages or expense limits from guaranteed awards.
- Read all funder eligibility, current application-round and portal instructions immediately before filing.
Official programme and application
See the official NLnet Foundation opportunity and application guidance. Third-party listing deadlines and summaries should not override current donor instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a normal general-purpose NGO grant? No. This is technical open-source R&D rather than standard community grants. Work products should use recognised open licences. NLnet warns against mostly AI-generated proposals or deliverables.
Can African organisations apply? NLnet’s general applications can be worldwide; EU-backed funds may require a strong European dimension, and applicants should check the precise Open Social Fund conditions.
How much can be requested? Normally €5,000–50,000 under NLnet’s general funding rules
When is the deadline? Next proposal cutoff 3 November 2026, 12:00 noon CET
How should an applicant prepare? Describe the technical problem, reusable open-source contribution, beneficiaries, work packages and budget, then apply through NLnet’s short proposal portal with transparent AI-use declarations where relevant.
Next steps
Before applying, examine whether your proposal genuinely fits the funder’s rules using the Africads Funding Readiness Toolkit. For proposal preparation see GrantsWriterAI, and check every output against donor requirements. Subscribe to Africads Grant News for more opportunities.
