The Internet Society Foundation has officially opened applications for the 2026 Common Good Cyber Fund (CGCF), a global grant program designed to strengthen nonprofit organizations that protect the public-interest cybersecurity ecosystem. The initiative provides significant multi-year funding to organizations working to secure vulnerable communities, strengthen cybersecurity infrastructure, and build a safer, more resilient Internet.

For organizations focused on cybersecurity, digital rights, online safety, civil society protection, or Internet resilience, this funding opportunity represents one of the most significant international grant programs currently available.

Applications are now open, and eligible nonprofit organizations from around the world are encouraged to apply before the official deadline.

About the Common Good Cyber Fund

The Common Good Cyber Fund (CGCF) was launched in 2025 through a collaboration between the Internet Society Foundation, the Common Good Cyber Ecosystem Committee, and a Strategic Advisory Committee.

The fund was created in response to the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats affecting vulnerable communities across the globe.

Today, cyberattacks target:

• Nonprofit organizations
• Journalists
• Human rights defenders
• Civil society organizations
• Independent media
• Dissidents
• High-risk Internet users
• Underserved communities

Despite playing an essential role in protecting online civic space, many nonprofit cybersecurity organizations remain severely underfunded.

The Common Good Cyber Fund was established to address this challenge by providing sustainable financial support to organizations that strengthen cybersecurity for the public good.

Who Funds the Common Good Cyber Fund?

The fund brings together financial contributions from multiple international partners, including:

• Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Craig Newmark Philanthropies
• United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
• German Federal Foreign Office
• Global Affairs Canada
• Internet Society
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

This collaborative funding model allows the program to support nonprofit cybersecurity organizations on a global scale.

Why This Grant Matters

Digital threats continue to evolve rapidly.

Cyberattacks increasingly target organizations and individuals who defend democracy, human rights, and civic participation.

Many organizations working to protect these communities struggle with:

• Limited cybersecurity resources
• Insufficient funding
• Increasingly sophisticated cyber threats
• Limited technical capacity
• Growing operational demands

The Common Good Cyber Fund seeks to strengthen this ecosystem by investing directly in organizations delivering cybersecurity infrastructure, technical services, operational support, and protective programs.

Funding Objectives

Applicants must demonstrate that their proposed work primarily aligns with one of the three funding objectives.

Objective 1: Maintenance of Critical Cybersecurity Infrastructure

This objective supports the technical systems and operational capabilities that strengthen Internet security for many organizations simultaneously.

Examples include:

• Internet infrastructure protection
• DNS security
• Routing security
• Secure-by-default technologies
• Threat detection systems
• Shared threat intelligence
• Security automation
• Operational coordination platforms
• Maintenance of open cybersecurity systems
• Long-term cybersecurity infrastructure improvements

Projects should create lasting improvements that continue delivering value after the grant period ends.

Objective 2: Delivering Scalable Cybersecurity Support for High-Risk Internet Users

This objective supports organizations helping individuals and institutions facing persistent digital threats, including state-directed cyber activity and digital transnational repression.

Eligible activities include:

• Incident response
• Account recovery
• Device triage
• Secure restoration services
• Secure onboarding
• Email protection
• Multi-factor authentication implementation
• Secure communications
• Data backup systems
• Managed cybersecurity services
• Remote technical assistance
• Regional responder networks
• Privacy-preserving information sharing

The program also recognizes that technology-facilitated gender-based violence and gendered cyber harassment disproportionately affect women in public-facing roles.

Organizations addressing these issues are particularly encouraged to apply.

Objective 3: Building a Safer Internet for Vulnerable Communities

This objective supports organizations that transform cybersecurity knowledge into safer online environments for vulnerable populations.

Examples include:

• Evidence-based cybersecurity policy
• Security standards development
• Platform safety improvements
• Responsible vulnerability reporting
• Threat coordination mechanisms
• Incident response protocols
• Trusted reporting channels
• Security coordination for civil society
• Journalist protection initiatives

Projects should demonstrate measurable improvements in Internet safety and resilience.

Who Can Apply?

The Common Good Cyber Fund is open to nonprofit organizations worldwide that align with the program’s objectives.

Eligible applicants include organizations working in areas such as:

• Cybersecurity
• Internet security
• Digital safety
• Digital rights
• Civil society protection
• Internet infrastructure
• Online privacy
• Threat intelligence
• Incident response
• Digital resilience

Applicants must satisfy all eligibility requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be a registered nonprofit organization (U.S. 501(c)(3) or international equivalent).
• Focus on cybersecurity-related work.
• Maintain an official organizational bank account capable of receiving funds from a U.S.-based foundation.
• Demonstrate alignment with one or more CGCF objectives.
• Show evidence of delivering cybersecurity infrastructure or services that protect vulnerable communities.
• Demonstrate sound governance and implementation capacity.
• Show the ability to strengthen broader cybersecurity ecosystems.

Priority Will Be Given To

During the 2026 funding cycle, preference will be given to organizations that:

• Build cybersecurity ecosystems.
• Operate in Global Majority countries.
• Regrant funding to smaller organizations working in Global Majority regions.
• Promote gender equity.
• Address technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
• Support vulnerable communities.
• Protect journalists.
• Strengthen civil society organizations.

Funding Available

The Internet Society Foundation expects to award:

• At least USD $3.5 million in total funding during 2026.

Individual grants will typically range between:

• USD $100,000
• USD $300,000

Successful organizations will generally receive:

• Two-year operating grants
• Maximum total funding of USD $300,000 over the grant period

Application Timeline

The 2026 funding cycle follows the schedule below:

• Applications Open: 23 June 2026
• Application Deadline: 4 August 2026 (21:00 UTC)
• Initial Screening: Late July 2026
• External Review: Following screening
• Grant Decisions: Successful applicants notified after the review process

Due to the anticipated number of submissions, individual feedback will not be provided to unsuccessful applicants.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must prepare and upload the following:

1. Current operational budget
2. Tax identification document
3. Organizational governing documents
4. List of institutional funders and funding amounts
5. National tax returns for the two most recent fiscal years
6. Audited financial statements for the two most recent fiscal years
7. Optional 501(c)(3) Equivalency Determination (where applicable)

Applicants are encouraged to prepare these documents well before the submission deadline.

Important Registration Requirement

Applications must be submitted through the Internet Society Foundation’s Fluxx grants management system.

Organizations should:

• Register in Fluxx before the application window.
• Complete registration at least 24 hours before the deadline.
• Submit applications before 4 August 2026 at 21:00 UTC.

Applications submitted via email will not be accepted.

Governance and Review Process

The Internet Society Foundation manages:

• Grant administration
• Application review
• Grantee selection
• Grant management
• Reporting

Strategic guidance is provided by the Global Cyber Alliance through the Strategic Advisory Committee.

Applications will also be reviewed by an Independent Program Review Committee consisting of cybersecurity professionals and experts from civil society, journalism, research, and policy sectors.

Additional Resources for Applicants

The Foundation provides several resources to help applicants prepare competitive proposals, including:

• Information Session Recording
• Information Session Slide Deck
• Common Good Cyber Fund Application Guide
• Evaluation Framework
• Grantee Reporting Metrics

Organizations are encouraged to review these materials carefully before submitting an application.

Why Organizations Should Apply

The Common Good Cyber Fund represents a major investment in strengthening nonprofit cybersecurity worldwide.

Successful applicants will benefit from:

• Multi-year operating funding
• Flexible support for organizational priorities
• Recognition from a globally respected foundation
• Opportunities to strengthen cybersecurity ecosystems
• Increased capacity to protect vulnerable communities
• Support for sustainable cybersecurity infrastructure
• Funding for scalable, high-impact cybersecurity initiatives

Organizations working to build a safer, more secure Internet should strongly consider applying before the application deadline.

Apply Here

For complete application details, eligibility requirements, and submission instructions, visit the Internet Society Foundation’s Common Good Cyber Fund application portal.

For more information, visit the official website.

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