The program will finance projects that support the existence of a safe and globally accessible Internet.
THE Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a non-profit organization that coordinates the Domain Name System (DNS), today announced the launch of the ICANN, which will make millions of dollars available for the development of projects that encourage the growth of a single, open and interoperable Internet at a global level. In March 2024, the ICANN will inaugurate a cycle to forward applications for the first ten million dollars in grants.
Internet connectivity continues to increase around the world, notably in developing countries. According to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), it is estimated that 5.3 billion of the world's population have been using the Internet since 2022, which represents a growth rate of 6.1% compared to 2021. The Subsidy Program will support this next phase of global internet growth, promoting an inclusive and transparent approach to developing stable and secure Internet infrastructure solutions that support the Internet's unique identifier systems.
“With rapidly evolving technologies, companies and emerging security models, it is critical that the Internet's unique identifier systems continue to evolve,” said Sally Costerton, interim president and CEO of ICANN. “The Grants Program of ICANN offers a new way to promote these initiatives, investing in committed projects that support the company’s vision ICANN of a single, open and globally interoperable Internet that encourages inclusion in a broad, global community of users.”
THE ICANN expects to begin receiving grant applications on March 25, 2024. The application window will remain open until May 24, 2024. For the full list of eligibility criteria see: https://icann.org/grant-program.
After the application window closes, all applications will be subject to admissibility and eligibility checks. An Independent Application Review Panel will review admissible and eligible applications. The provisional date for announcing the list of first-cycle beneficiaries is January 2025.
Potential applicants will have several opportunities to learn more about the Call for Proposals and to ask questions to members of the Grants Program team. ICANN in webinars with question and answer sessions in the coming months. For more information about the program, including eligibility requirements and application routing, see the Grants Program Applicant Handbook. ICANN available in https://icann.org/grant-program.
