Nonprofit organizations worldwide dedicated to strengthening the public-interest cybersecurity ecosystem can now apply for the 2026 Internet Society Foundation Common Good Cyber Fund (CGCF) Grant Program.
With digital and cyber threats escalating globally, this initiative specifically aims to sustain the underfunded entities defending online civic spaces and protecting vulnerable populations such as NGOs, journalists, and human rights defenders.
Core Program Objectives
The CGCF targets funding toward nonprofits whose active projects align with the following three pillars:
- Infrastructure Maintenance: Sustaining critical, public-interest cybersecurity infrastructure.
- Scalable Threat Mitigation: Delivering scalable support to secure internet users from digital harm, state-directed cyber activity, and transnational digital repression.
- Community Protection: Advancing a safer internet environment for high-risk communities and vulnerable groups, including civil society and media practitioners.
Eligibility & Selection Priorities
To qualify for funding, applicant organizations must meet rigorous foundational and operational criteria:
- Legal Status: Must be a verified nonprofit organization (U.S. 501(c)(3) or its regional equivalent) focused directly on cybersecurity.
- Financial Readiness: Must maintain an official corporate bank account capable of receiving funds from a United States-based foundation.
- 2026 Priority Focus: Preference will be given to organizations capable of regional ecosystem building specifically those based in the global majority, or entities with the infrastructure to regrant funds to smaller, localized community groups.
- Gender Equity: Organizations demonstrating a proven track record of addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) will receive additional prioritization under the threat mitigation and community protection pillars.
Funding Structure & Project Timeline
In 2026, the Internet Society Foundation expects to award at least $3.5 million USD in total funding via the Common Good Cyber Fund.
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- Grant Value: Individual awards are issued as multi-year operating grants, typically ranging between $100,000 and $300,000 USD total over a two-year grant period.
- Review Process: Initial screening begins in late July 2026, with competitive applications advancing to an external peer-review phase. Due to high submission volumes, individual feedback on declined proposals cannot be provided.
How to Apply
- The formal application window runs from June 23 to August 4, 2026. Eligible organizations can submit their proposals and view complete guidelines directly through the official page:
https://www.isocfoundation.org/grant-programme/common-good-cyber-fund/
Disclaimer
Edfrica shares opportunities for informational purposes only. Results and funding outcomes are not guaranteed.
