How do I apply?

In 2026, we are inviting concept notes from interested organisations. You can click the portal below to apply. Please ensure your concept note includes the following (word counts approximate):

1. Introduction: Provide a short summary description of your initiative (250 words)
2. Alignment: How does this initiative align with APNIC Foundation and ISIF Asia aims? (75 words)
3. Challenge: Why have you decided to undertake this project? (100 words)
4. Approach: What activities will be conducted as part of this project? (100 words)
5. Impact: What is the anticipated impact of this project or research? (100 words)
6. Monitoring and Evaluation: How will you measure project outcomes? (75 words)
7. Organisational Capability: What expertise does your organisation have to address the problem and implement the activities associated with this project? (100 words)
8. Estimated Budget in US$
   
   Submit a concept note to the APNIC Foundation grants portal

ISIF ASIA Funds:
Empower
Our grants program seeks to empower communities in the Asia Pacific region to research, design and implement Internet-based solutions for their own needs, placing emphasis on the positive role the Internet has in social, economic and human development.

Cultivate
We are passionate about equal representation in the tech industry, and want to see reduced barriers to connectivity and increase meaningful access in underserved communities.

Partner
We partner with organisations that have an overlap with the APNIC Foundation’s core mandate to contribute to Internet and digital development. We look for innovative projects that focus on interventions to connectivity and access, and enhance meaningful access in unserved and underserved areas, including cultivating communities of practice and informing policy for an inclusive Internet.

Strategic aims for 2026

The ISIF Asia Grants program supports initiatives aligned with the APNIC Foundation Strategic Plan 2025-2028 by strengthening Internet infrastructure, expanding technical capability, and fostering digital innovation that fuels measurable socio-economic progress. They emphasise impact, innovation and originality.

1. Applied Innovation and Emerging Technologies: Encourage research, development, and responsible deployment of new and emerging Internet and digital technologies — including data-driven and AI-enabled solutions that address real-world challenges and demonstrate operational value.
2. Practical Implementation and Demonstrable Solutions: Prioritise projects that move beyond theory to deliver working systems, validated pilots, prototypes, or field deployments that can be scaled, adapted, or replicated across the Asia Pacific.
3. Strengthening Internet Infrastructure and Resilience: Support the deployment, upgrade, or optimisation of critical Internet infrastructure such as community networks, IXPs, DNS security, routing security mechanisms, caches, and related technologies to improve performance, reliability, and benefits for local communities and infrastructure.
4. Expanding Connectivity and Capability: Reduce barriers to reliable, safe, and meaningful Internet access while strengthening technical skills and organisational capability within communities, with preference for initiatives that demonstrate structured learning pathways, practical application, or links to professional development and employment outcomes.
5. Research with Operational and Ecosystem Relevance: Encourage initiatives that demonstrate clear pathways to implementation, measurable technical or community impact, and evidence-based outcomes that inform practice, policy, or ecosystem development.
6. Open and Interoperable: Encourage the use and development of open-source tools, interoperable digital services, and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) that enhance accessibility, trust, collaboration, and long-term ecosystem growth.

Applications are open to public and private sector organisations, academia, non-profits, and social enterprise organisations.