Closed
Source verified July 29, 2026
ICANN Grant Program
Global Internet ecosystem funding initiative
Funding available
$ 50,000 - $ 500,000
Deadline
May 24, 2024
Location
Canada
Overview
The ICANN Grant Program offers up to $500,000 per project, with $10 million available in the first cycle, for charitable organizations across the globe. It supports projects that advance ICANN’s mission and a single, open, globally interoperable Internet. Eligible work includes unique identifier systems, capacity development, and open standards for the Internet community.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Minimum amount : 50,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Not Elsewhere Classified
Target groups
- Nonprofits / charities
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- International
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Supporting standards development in relation to the Internet’s unique identifier systems
- Supporting long-term usability and sustainability of the DNS
- Strengthening the security and stability of the Internet’s unique identifier systems
- Enhancing Universal Acceptance to ensure truly multilingual and digitally inclusive systems
- Advancing work related to open access to the Internet
Documents Needed
- Relevant governing and financial documentation, upon ICANN’s request, to confirm equivalency to a U.S. 501(c)(3)
- The organization’s governing documents in English
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Charitable organizations
- Applicants within the U.S. with a 501(c)(3) determination from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- Applicants outside of the U.S. that are charitable in nature and can provide relevant governing and financial documentation to confirm equivalency to a U.S. 501(c)(3)
Who is not eligible
- Residents of sanctioned countries, their governmental entities, and SDNs without an applicable U.S. government authorization or exemption
- Applicants with actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest with ICANN or its affiliate Public Technical Identifiers, as well as any vendors announced for assessment of Grant Program applications
- People who participated as a member of the Cross-Community Working Group on New gTLD Auction Proceeds (CCWG-AP), and businesses or organizations owned in whole or in part by CCWG-AP members or their family members
- People who are or have been within the past one year an officer, employee, contractor, consultant, Board Director, or Board Liaison of ICANN or its affiliate, and their family members
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Political or lobbying activities.
- Activities intended to influence legislation, elections, or voter registration drives.
- Activities that create private financial benefit beyond reasonable salaries.
- Unlawful activities in the applicant’s or project’s country.
Eligible geographic areas
- Across the globe
Selection criteria
- Diversity, participation, and inclusion of underserved populations
- Impact and outcomes that can be sustained through capacity development
How to apply
- Submit the application through the online application platform.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications must meet admissibility and eligibility criteria through an administrative review.
- During any stage of the eligibility review, applicants may be contacted directly by ICANN staff or authorized third-party vendors for additional information or clarification.
- Admissibility and eligibility checks are completed before review.
- The Independent Application Assessment Panel reviews applications.
- Grant agreement negotiations and contracting follow, and the ICANN Board makes the final decision on the final slate of successful applications.
Additional information
- Applications are managed through Submittable.
- The Applicant Guide should be reviewed before starting an application.
- Grantees must submit interim and final reports.
- Projects may be subject to monitoring, site visits, and evaluations.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the ICANN Grant Program Program
What is the ICANN Grant Program?
The ICANN Grant Program offers up to $500,000 per project, with $10 million available in the first cycle, for charitable organizations across the globe. It supports projects that advance ICANN’s mission and a single, open, globally interoperable Internet. Eligible work includes unique identifier systems, capacity development, and open standards for the Internet community.
How much funding can be received?
ICANN Grant Program Funds up to $500,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the ICANN Grant Program program?
To be eligible for the ICANN Grant Program program, you must:
Be a charitable organization
Support ICANN’s compliance with relevant U.S. laws, rules, and regulations and have no conflicts of interest
Meet due diligence standards and have a bank account in the applicant organization’s name
What expenses are eligible under ICANN Grant Program?
Supporting standards development in relation to the Internet’s unique identifier systems
Supporting long-term usability and sustainability of the DNS
Strengthening the security and stability of the Internet’s unique identifier systems
Enhancing Universal Acceptance to ensure truly multilingual and digitally inclusive systems
Advancing work related to open access to the Internet
Who can I contact for more information about the ICANN Grant Program?
You can contact ICANN (ICANN) by email at grantprogram@icann.org.
Where is the ICANN Grant Program available?
The ICANN Grant Program program is available across Canada.
Is the ICANN Grant Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
ICANN Grant Program is a Grant and Funding