Apply for Connecting the Unconnected funding program by the Internet Society ($40,000 funding)

The Connecting the Unconnected funding program aims to support communities and local organizations in their efforts to establish and enhance Internet infrastructure, with the goal of connecting individuals residing in rural, remote, and low-income areas. This program encompasses various initiatives, including community networks, municipal networks, cooperatives, and other complementary access solutions.

The program has the following objectives:

1. Strengthening communities and local initiatives that are actively working towards connecting the unconnected.
2. Developing new and innovative solutions to expand Internet access in rural, isolated, and low-income regions across the globe.

The program focuses on two main areas:

1. Building new complementary access solutions: This involves projects that concentrate on providing Internet connectivity to underserved or unconnected communities. This can be achieved through the establishment of community networks, municipal networks, cooperatives, and other complementary access solutions.

2. Expanding existing complementary access solutions: This category encompasses projects that aim to enhance the connectivity of already established complementary access solutions. The objective is to connect more individuals, improve existing connectivity, and enable access to new communities.

To be eligible for funding, communities and organizations must be directly involved in the planning and construction of local Internet infrastructure. Additionally, they must meet the following criteria:

1. Have a clearly identified person or organization responsible for overseeing the project from start to finish, including reporting.
2. Obtain support from the local community that will benefit from the new or expanded Internet infrastructure.
3. Present a sustainability plan to ensure the long-term operational viability of the infrastructure.
4. Have the objective of connecting the local infrastructure to the Internet.

Furthermore, organizations must possess an official bank account in their name, based on their legal registration, in order to receive funding.

Application Evaluation Process
Applications will be accepted during two periods: from 1 February to 15 March 2024 and from 16 July to 30 August 2024. The Internet Society, the Internet Society Foundation, and external experts will carefully review these applications to assess their eligibility and alignment with the focus areas. It is important to note that this evaluation process may take up to ten (10) weeks.

Criteria for Selection
The staff will evaluate eligible applications based on the following selection criteria:

1. Demonstrated need for the proposed Internet infrastructure deployment in the targeted community, particularly in underserved or unconnected areas.
2. Clear identification of the individual or organization responsible for executing the project and providing a comprehensive report on its outcomes.
3. Proven support from the local community that will benefit from the proposed new or expanded Internet infrastructure.
4. A sustainability plan that ensures the long-term operational viability of the constructed infrastructure.
5. The objective of connecting the local infrastructure to the Internet.
6. A project plan with a duration of up to 24 months.

Moreover, meeting the following criteria enhances the chances of a successful application:

1. Availability of local technology partners.
2. General business management skills within the project team.
3. Technical expertise within the community.
4. Availability of local social infrastructure such as schools, libraries, hospitals, and government facilities.

Funding

Funding opportunities are available for communities and local organizations to either create a new complementary access solution for connecting the unconnected or enhance an existing one. The funding amount requested for each application falls within the following ranges:

1. $15,000-$40,000 USD for building new complementary access solutions to connect the unconnected.
2. $5,000-$20,000 USD for expanding or improving existing complementary access solutions to connect the unconnected.

How to Apply

• To apply, interested parties must submit their applications online through the Internet Society Foundation’s grant management platform. It is important to note that only applications submitted through this platform will be considered.
• For more details and to apply visit the official website
• Please ensure that your application is complete and meets all eligibility requirements, as incomplete or ineligible applications will not be considered.
• Deadline is march 15, 2024