Deadline: 01-Dec-2025
The NLnet NGI Zero Commons Fund is currently accepting proposals in its 10ᵗʰ open call for projects aiming to reclaim the public nature of the internet.
The fund is part of the broader Next Generation Internet initiative and supports the development, maturation, and scaling of internet commons—that is, digital resources shared openly across software, hardware, standards, open data, and more.
Proposals can request grants ranging between €5,000 and €50,000, with the possibility of larger funding in future rounds if the project demonstrates strong potential. The fund takes a full stack approach, supporting projects from libre silicon to middleware, peer-to-peer infrastructure, and user-facing applications. Every funded project’s output must be released under open source licenses and published as open access so that the community can validate, reuse, and build upon the work.
The program is open to a wide range of applicants—individuals, research groups, nonprofits, public institutions, or companies—so long as the project aligns with the mission of advancing a fair, open, and sustainable internet. Projects are expected to be innovative and address gaps in the current technology stack where market or institutional structures have failed. Applicants must clearly articulate how their project fits the Commons model and contributes to structural change rather than incremental tweaks.
Proposals undergo a two-stage review process. In the first stage, submissions are screened for eligibility and scored on technical excellence, strategic relevance, and value for money. Projects that pass this stage move to a second round where reviewers can ask clarifying questions and suggest adjustments before final funding decisions are made. This ensures both rigor and flexibility in shaping high-impact projects.
Over its lifetime, the Commons Fund plans to award a total of €21.6 million toward projects that strengthen digital infrastructure, amplify public interest technologies, and empower communities to take control of their digital futures.
For more information, visit NLnet Foundation.