Does your research team or technology organisation meet the applicant and programme conditions for open infrastructure and interoperable technology for research and education networks?
NLnet Foundation offers a distinct funding stream for open infrastructure and interoperable technology for research and education networks. 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: Generally €5,000–50,000 through NLnet, subject to the fund’s own terms
- Deadline: Next general call cutoff 3 November 2026 at noon CET
- Who can apply: Researchers, educational technology developers and other capable organisations building free/open internet technology
- Geographical restrictions: General NLnet call accepts international applications in principle, but specific EU-supported funding tracks may require qualifying Horizon Europe-country participation.
Who is eligible and who is not?
Researchers, educational technology developers and other capable organisations building free/open internet technology
General NLnet call accepts international applications in principle, but specific EU-supported funding tracks may require qualifying Horizon Europe-country participation.
Important limitations: This is for practical technical development and open internet commons, not tuition scholarships or everyday institutional operations. A project must contribute to useful openly licensed technology.
Project fit and potential value
An academic network team could implement secure and interoperable open tools for collaboration, identity management or accessibility, subject to the fund’s technical scope.
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
Identify a network/research infrastructure problem, describe the implementation, public release and technical dependencies, plan deliverables, then submit the short NLnet proposal.
- 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 for practical technical development and open internet commons, not tuition scholarships or everyday institutional operations. A project must contribute to useful openly licensed technology.
Can African organisations apply? General NLnet call accepts international applications in principle, but specific EU-supported funding tracks may require qualifying Horizon Europe-country participation.
How much can be requested? Generally €5,000–50,000 through NLnet, subject to the fund’s own terms
When is the deadline? Next general call cutoff 3 November 2026 at noon CET
How should an applicant prepare? Identify a network/research infrastructure problem, describe the implementation, public release and technical dependencies, plan deliverables, then submit the short NLnet proposal.
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.
