NGI Zero Commons Fund: Open Science & Open Source Innovations

Deadline: 01-Feb-2026

The NGI Zero Commons Fund provides financial support for high-impact projects that strengthen the open internet through open access science and fully open source software and hardware.

The fund prioritizes technically excellent, strategically relevant, and cost-effective initiatives that advance the Next Generation Internet while promoting security, usability, standardisation, and community participation.

Overview

The NGI Zero Commons Fund supports projects that deliver breakthrough contributions to the open internet using open access scientific research and fully open source technologies.

The fund is part of the broader Next Generation Internet (NGI) initiative, which aims to create an internet that is more secure, resilient, interoperable, inclusive, and user-centric.

Funding is administered by the NLnet Foundation, a professionally audited public benefit organisation known for its independence, transparency, and long-term support of open technologies.

Core Objectives of the Fund

The NGI Zero Commons Fund is designed to:

• Advance the Next Generation Internet vision

• Support projects with high technical merit and strong strategic relevance

• Ensure value for money in all funded activities

• Promote open access scientific research

• Support the design and development of free and open source software (FOSS) and open hardware

• Enable validation, testing, and improvement of technical solutions

• Strengthen software quality, security, and reliability

• Improve usability, accessibility, and inclusive design

• Contribute to internet and technology standardisation efforts

• Enhance deployability and real-world adoption

• Encourage community participation and collaboration

• Enforce robust software development and deployment practices

Who Can Apply?

Eligible Applicants

The fund is open to:

• Individuals

• Research teams

• Open source communities

• Non-profit organisations

• Companies and institutions working on open technologies

Both individuals and organisations are subject to the same cumulative funding limits.

Funding Cap per Applicant

• Maximum cumulative funding: €500,000 per third party

• Applies across the entire lifetime of the NGI Zero Commons Fund

• Includes all grants received, regardless of project size or number

Funding Amounts and Grant Structure

Initial and Subsequent Funding

• Initial proposals may request up to €50,000

• Requests above €50,000 require:

  • One or more successfully completed NGI Zero projects

  • Publicly available deliverables

  • Release under recognised open source or open hardware licenses

Maximum Funding per Proposal

• Maximum grant per proposal: €150,000

• Final grant amounts are:

  • Based on resources needed to meet objectives

  • Agreed in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NLnet and the grantee

Security Audit Requirements

• Projects exceeding €50,000 may require an independent security audit

• Parts of the grant may be:

  • Conditional on addressing audit findings

  • Released only after satisfactory remediation

What Activities Are Funded?

Eligible activities must be cost-effective and directly linked to the fund’s objectives.

Supported Activities Include

• Scientific and technical research

• Development of open source software and open hardware

• Security audits, cryptographic reviews, and formal verification

• Documentation, manuals, and educational materials

• Standardisation and interoperability efforts

• Usability testing and user requirements analysis

• Deployability and real-world implementation measures

• Participation in relevant technical, research, or community events

• Project coordination and management

• Essential infrastructure and operational costs

How the Review and Selection Process Works

Two-Stage Evaluation Process

Proposals undergo a structured, two-stage review focusing on:

1. Strategic relevance and impact potential

2. Value for money and technical feasibility

These factors directly influence proposal ranking and funding decisions.

Independent and Expert Review

• Initial reviews are conducted by full-time professional staff of the NLnet Foundation

• Recommended proposals are further evaluated by:

  • External experts from academia

  • Members of the internet and open source community

  • Professionals from the public sector

This multi-layered process ensures impartiality, independence, and technical rigor.

How the Funding Model Works

The fund operates through a rapid succession of funding opportunities, allowing:

• Incremental project growth

• Progressive scaling based on proven results

• Reduced dependence on a single large grant

This model supports sustainable development and long-term impact.

Why the NGI Zero Commons Fund Matters

The NGI Zero Commons Fund plays a critical role in:

• Strengthening the digital commons

• Supporting open technologies that benefit society at large

• Improving internet security and trustworthiness

• Encouraging collaboration over proprietary lock-in

• Enabling innovation that remains open, auditable, and reusable

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Requesting more than €50,000 without prior NGI Zero project success

• Submitting proposals without clear open licensing plans

• Weak justification of costs and value for money

• Ignoring security, usability, or deployability considerations

• Proposing activities not clearly aligned with NGI Zero Commons objectives

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the main goal of the NGI Zero Commons Fund?

To support open access science and fully open source technologies that strengthen the Next Generation Internet.

2. Who manages and reviews the fund?

The fund is managed by the NLnet Foundation, with additional evaluation by independent external experts.

3. What is the maximum funding an applicant can receive?

Up to €500,000 cumulatively over the lifetime of the fund.

4. How much funding can a single proposal request?

Up to €150,000, with initial proposals typically capped at €50,000.

5. Are security audits mandatory?

Security audits may be required for projects requesting more than €50,000.

6. Are commercial organisations allowed to apply?

Yes, provided the project outputs are fully open source and aligned with the fund’s objectives.

7. What licenses are required for funded outputs?

All deliverables must be released under recognised open source or open hardware licenses.

Conclusion

The NGI Zero Commons Fund is a cornerstone funding mechanism for advancing an open, secure, and user-centric internet.

By supporting high-quality, open source, and research-driven projects through a flexible and progressive funding model, the fund enables lasting contributions to the global digital commons and the future of the internet.

For more information, visit NLnet Foundation.