Internet Society Foundation Common Good Cyber Fund 2026: Up to USD $300,000 in Multi-Year Grants for Nonprofit Cybersecurity Organizations Worldwide

<p class="isSelectedEnd">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.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">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.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Applications are now open, and eligible nonprofit organizations from around the world are encouraged to apply before the official deadline.</p> <h1>About the Common Good Cyber Fund</h1> <p class="isSelectedEnd">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.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The fund was created in response to the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats affecting vulnerable communities across the globe.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Today, cyberattacks target:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Nonprofit organizations</li> <li>Journalists</li> <li>Human rights defenders</li> <li>Civil society organizations</li> <li>Independent media</li> <li>Dissidents</li> <li>High-risk Internet users</li> <li>Underserved communities</li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Despite playing an essential role in protecting online civic space, many nonprofit cybersecurity organizations remain severely underfunded.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">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.</p> <h1>Who Funds the Common Good Cyber Fund?</h1> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The fund brings together financial contributions from multiple international partners, including:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade</li> <li>Craig Newmark Philanthropies</li> <li>United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth &amp; Development Office</li> <li>German Federal Foreign Office</li> <li>Global Affairs Canada</li> <li>Internet Society</li> <li>Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands</li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">This collaborative funding model allows the program to support nonprofit cybersecurity organizations on a global scale.</p> <h1>Why This Grant Matters</h1> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Digital threats continue to evolve rapidly.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Cyberattacks increasingly target organizations and individuals who defend democracy, human rights, and civic participation.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Many organizations working to protect these communities struggle with:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Limited cybersecurity resources</li> <li>Insufficient funding</li> <li>Increasingly sophisticated cyber threats</li> <li>Limited technical capacity</li> <li>Growing operational demands</li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">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.</p> <h1>Funding Objectives</h1> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Applicants must demonstrate that their proposed work primarily aligns with one of the three funding objectives.</p> <h2>Objective 1: Maintenance of Critical Cybersecurity Infrastructure</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">This objective supports the technical systems and operational capabilities that strengthen Internet security for many organizations simultaneously.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Examples include:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Internet infrastructure protection</li> <li>DNS security</li> <li>Routing security</li> <li>Secure-by-default technologies</li> <li>Threat detection systems</li> <li>Shared threat intelligence</li> <li>Security automation</li> <li>Operational coordination platforms</li> <li>Maintenance of open cybersecurity systems</li> <li>Long-term cybersecurity infrastructure improvements</li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Projects should create lasting improvements that continue delivering value after the grant period ends.</p> <h2>Objective 2: Delivering Scalable Cybersecurity Support for High-Risk Internet Users</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">This objective supports organizations helping individuals and institutions facing persistent digital threats, including state-directed cyber activity and digital transnational repression.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Eligible activities include:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Incident response</li> <li>Account recovery</li> <li>Device triage</li> <li>Secure restoration services</li> <li>Secure onboarding</li> <li>Email protection</li> <li>Multi-factor authentication implementation</li> <li>Secure communications</li> <li>Data backup systems</li> <li>Managed cybersecurity services</li> <li>Remote technical assistance</li> <li>Regional responder networks</li> <li>Privacy-preserving information sharing</li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The program also recognizes that technology-facilitated gender-based violence and gendered cyber harassment disproportionately affect women in public-facing roles.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Organizations addressing these issues are particularly encouraged to apply.</p> <h2>Objective 3: Building a Safer Internet for Vulnerable Communities</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">This objective supports organizations that transform cybersecurity knowledge into safer online environments for vulnerable populations.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Examples include:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Evidence-based cybersecurity policy</li> <li>Security standards development</li> <li>Platform safety improvements</li> <li>Responsible vulnerability reporting</li> <li>Threat coordination mechanisms</li> <li>Incident response protocols</li> <li>Trusted reporting channels</li> <li>Security coordination for civil society</li> <li>Journalist protection initiatives</li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Projects should demonstrate measurable improvements in Internet safety and resilience.</p> <h1>Who Can Apply?</h1> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The Common Good Cyber Fund is open to nonprofit organizations worldwide that align with the program&#8217;s objectives.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Eligible applicants include organizations working in areas such as:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Cybersecurity</li> <li>Internet security</li> <li>Digital safety</li> <li>Digital rights</li> <li>Civil society protection</li> <li>Internet infrastructure</li> <li>Online privacy</li> <li>Threat intelligence</li> <li>Incident response</li> <li>Digital resilience</li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Applicants must satisfy all eligibility requirements.</p> <h1>Eligibility Requirements</h1> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Applicants must:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Be a registered nonprofit organization (U.S. 501(c)(3) or international equivalent).</li> <li>Focus on cybersecurity-related work.</li> <li>Maintain an official organizational bank account capable of receiving funds from a U.S.-based foundation.</li> <li>Demonstrate alignment with one or more CGCF objectives.</li> <li>Show evidence of delivering cybersecurity infrastructure or services that protect vulnerable communities.</li> <li>Demonstrate sound governance and implementation capacity.</li> <li>Show the ability to strengthen broader cybersecurity ecosystems.</li> </ul> <h1>Priority Will Be Given To</h1> <p class="isSelectedEnd">During the 2026 funding cycle, preference will be given to organizations that:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Build cybersecurity ecosystems.</li> <li>Operate in Global Majority countries.</li> <li>Regrant funding to smaller organizations working in Global Majority regions.</li> <li>Promote gender equity.</li> <li>Address technology-facilitated gender-based violence.</li> <li>Support vulnerable communities.</li> <li>Protect journalists.</li> <li>Strengthen civil society organizations.</li> </ul> <h1>Funding Available</h1> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The Internet Society Foundation expects to award:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>At least <strong>USD $3.5 million</strong> in total funding during 2026.</li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Individual grants will typically range between:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li><strong>USD $100,000</strong></li> <li><strong>USD $300,000</strong></li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Successful organizations will generally receive:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Two-year operating grants</li> <li>Maximum total funding of <strong>USD $300,000</strong> over the grant period</li> </ul> <h1>Application Timeline</h1> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The 2026 funding cycle follows the schedule below:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Applications Open: <strong>23 June 2026</strong></li> <li>Application Deadline: <strong>4 August 2026 (21:00 UTC)</strong></li> <li>Initial Screening: Late July 2026</li> <li>External Review: Following screening</li> <li>Grant Decisions: Successful applicants notified after the review process</li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Due to the anticipated number of submissions, individual feedback will not be provided to unsuccessful applicants.</p> <h1>Required Application Documents</h1> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Applicants must prepare and upload the following:</p> <ol start="1" data-spread="false"> <li>Current operational budget</li> <li>Tax identification document</li> <li>Organizational governing documents</li> <li>List of institutional funders and funding amounts</li> <li>National tax returns for the two most recent fiscal years</li> <li>Audited financial statements for the two most recent fiscal years</li> <li>Optional 501(c)(3) Equivalency Determination (where applicable)</li> </ol> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Applicants are encouraged to prepare these documents well before the submission deadline.</p> <h1>Important Registration Requirement</h1> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Applications must be submitted through the Internet Society Foundation&#8217;s Fluxx grants management system.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Organizations should:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Register in Fluxx before the application window.</li> <li>Complete registration at least <strong>24 hours before the deadline</strong>.</li> <li>Submit applications before <strong>4 August 2026 at 21:00 UTC</strong>.</li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Applications submitted via email will not be accepted.</p> <h1>Governance and Review Process</h1> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The Internet Society Foundation manages:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Grant administration</li> <li>Application review</li> <li>Grantee selection</li> <li>Grant management</li> <li>Reporting</li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Strategic guidance is provided by the Global Cyber Alliance through the Strategic Advisory Committee.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">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.</p> <h1>Additional Resources for Applicants</h1> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The Foundation provides several resources to help applicants prepare competitive proposals, including:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Information Session Recording</li> <li>Information Session Slide Deck</li> <li>Common Good Cyber Fund Application Guide</li> <li>Evaluation Framework</li> <li>Grantee Reporting Metrics</li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Organizations are encouraged to review these materials carefully before submitting an application.</p> <h1>Why Organizations Should Apply</h1> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The Common Good Cyber Fund represents a major investment in strengthening nonprofit cybersecurity worldwide.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Successful applicants will benefit from:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Multi-year operating funding</li> <li>Flexible support for organizational priorities</li> <li>Recognition from a globally respected foundation</li> <li>Opportunities to strengthen cybersecurity ecosystems</li> <li>Increased capacity to protect vulnerable communities</li> <li>Support for sustainable cybersecurity infrastructure</li> <li>Funding for scalable, high-impact cybersecurity initiatives</li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Organizations working to build a safer, more secure Internet should strongly consider applying before the application deadline.</p> <p><a href="https://isocfoundation.fluxx.io/user_sessions/new" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Apply Here</strong></a></p> <p>For complete application details, eligibility requirements, and submission instructions, visit the Internet Society Foundation&#8217;s Common Good Cyber Fund application portal.</p> <p>For more information, visit the <a href="https://www.isocfoundation.org/grant-programme/common-good-cyber-fund/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>official website.</strong></a></p> <p>Discover more grant opportunities on OFY, <a href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/?s=grant" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>VISIT HERE</strong></a></p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/2026/06/24/common-good-cyber-fund-grant-program-strengthening-global-cybersecurity-for-civil-society/">Internet Society Foundation Common Good Cyber Fund 2026: Up to USD $300,000 in Multi-Year Grants for Nonprofit Cybersecurity Organizations Worldwide</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org">Opportunities for Youth</a>.</p>