Applications Invited for ICANN Grant Program

Follow us@ngobox

About the Organization

ICANN's mission is to help ensure the stable and secure operation of the Internet’s unique identifier systems. To reach another person on the Internet, you need to type an address – a name or a number – into your computer or other device. That address must be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world. ICANN was formed in 1998 as a nonprofit public benefit corporation with a community of participants from all over the world.

About the Grant

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) reached a significant milestone with the launch of the ICANN Grant Program after a comprehensive and transparent multistakeholder process. This new program is an opportunity for eligible organizations across the globe to apply for project funding that is consistent with ICANN's mission and aligned with ICANN Grant Program objectives. This program is designed to make contributions to the Internet ecosystem while also positively impacting people all over the world by investing in creative and innovative solutions that further ICANN’s vision of a single, open, and globally interoperable Internet.

Problem Statement:

The importance of the Internet to the economic, social, and political systems around the world is increasing with the expansion of its user base, content, and applications. Internet connectivity continues to accelerate globally. This growth brings with it increased pressures on the reliability, stability, and security of the Domain Name System (DNS) and the Internet.

Future growth of the Internet will include the rapid evolution of emerging technologies, business models, and security threats presenting new challenges every day. As the number of Internet-connected devices increases, it is critical that the Internet's unique identifier systems continue to serve a broader and more diverse global user base. For example, despite global Internet penetration reaching 66 percent of the world’s population, language barriers limit usability for communities around the world.

As the Internet grows, so does the need for resilient and sustainable networks and systems that can respond to evolving demands of its users. Expanding use and access, improving performance and interoperability, and fostering participation and capacity of its stakeholders will ensure the Internet continues to play its crucial role in the development of our world for generations to come.

Statement of Objectives for the Program:

ICANN is a champion of the single, open, and globally interoperable Internet that enables billions of users around the world to connect with each other: conduct business; access information, services, and education; and share ideas. The free flow of information is critical to the development and vitality of any society.

ICANN is the independent, trusted, multistakeholder steward of the Internet’s unique identifier systems. Its mission is to ensure the stable and secure operation of those systems. The program is envisioned as a mechanism to fund projects that encourage, facilitate, and support ICANN’s mission and its vision of a single, open, and globally interoperable Internet.

The types of initiatives that the program will fund include those that support the ICANN mission by:

• Benefitting the development, distribution, and evolution of the services and systems that support the Internet's unique identifier systems
• Providing capacity development
• Advancing developments, innovation, and open standards for the benefit of the Internet community
• Contributing to diversity, participation, and inclusion across stakeholder communities and geographic regions

Funding Themes:

Proposed projects should address at least one of the following funding themes and associated work areas for the first cycle:

• Theme 1: The Internet’s unique identifier systems
• Theme 2: A Unified Internet

Impact and Intended Outcomes:

ICANN expects that funding projects aligned to the themes and areas outlined above will result in increased reliability, stability, interoperability, and security of the Internet and its unique identifier systems. These intended outcomes will lead to a broader and more diverse user base with greater capacity to further develop and improve the Internet around the world.

Eligibility

All eligible applicants must:

• Be a charitable organization
• Organizations within the U.S. must have a 501(c)(3) determination from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
• Applicants outside of the U.S. must be charitable in nature and be able to provide relevant governing and financial documentation, upon ICANN's request, to confirm equivalency to a U.S. 501(c)(3).
• Support ICANN’s compliance with relevant U.S. laws, rules, and regulations
• Have no conflicts of interest
• Meet due diligence standards
• Have a bank account in the applicant organization’s name

How to Apply

The application window opens in the grant portal 25 March 2024 15:00 UTC and closes on 24 May 2024 20:00 UTC.

Click here to apply!

For more information please check the Link

Stay in the loop with the newest RFPs and Grants through NGOBOX's WhatsApp Channel. Join now by clicking here!

Tags Innovations and Technology Others