ISIF Asia 2026 Call for Concept Note
Grants
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.
- Opening Date
- 2026-03-23
- Closing Date
- 2026-04-24
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Priority areas
Priority areas include:
Proof of concept and operational research
IPv6 deployment
Project implementation
- Digital health, essential services & inclusive access
- Environment, energy consumption, climate impacts, disaster risk mitigation
More specific information on these is available in the Frequently Asked Questions.
Applications are welcomed from any of the 56 economies in the APNIC Foundation service region.
When we fund
ISIF Asia 2026 Key Dates:
| Call for concept notes opens | 23 March |
| Call for concept notes closes | 24 April |
| Review | May – June |
| Selected concept notes invited to submit full applications | June |
| Closure of full application process | July |
| Announcement of successful applicants | October |
Within the selection review cycle, applications must meet the minimum criteria to pass through to the next stage.
This is a competitive review process and applications are evaluated against merit and peers. Unsuccessful applications will be notified throughout the duration of the review process.
Also, check out the ISIF 2026 FAQ & Past Grantees list for context
- For more information:
- Link
Partners
