Project Funding Initiative

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The next round of Project Funding opened on 1 September. The closing date for applications is 5 October UTC 23:5

Background and Objective

The Internet Society (ISOC) is a leading organisation addressing issues that affect the future of the Internet.

A project funding program has been established  to assist ISOC chapters and members specifically in projects that will advance  ISOC's mission and goals.

Scope

This Project Funding Program is open to the creativity and imagination of the ISOC Community. The only parameters of the Program are the Criteria.

Eligibility

Persons and entities entitled to apply for funds under this Program are only those chapters and individual members of the Internet Society who are in good standing as of the date of application and who remain in such standing throughout the funding schedule of their project proposal, should it be accepted for funding.

Funding

The amount of funding set aside by the ISOC Board each year will be announced as soon after it is approved by the Board. The announcement will be made in the ISOC monthly newsletter, in mailings to various ISOC constituencies (e.g. ISOC Members and ISOC Chapters' delegates) as well as being posted on the ISOC website.

In 2007, the funds set aside are US$200,000 and any one Project may be eligible for an award of up to US$10,000. Funding by ISOC will not exceed 50% of the cost of the Project being proposed and other partners/funding sources are expected to participate. This program will operate with funds being dispersed in two or more stages as the Project progresses. It is, however, understood that some Projects may not be able to begin until some funding has been released and the Committee will take that into account as warranted. Confirmation of payment, receipts as appropriate, or other evidence of the use of funds is required as part of the reporting process. All reasonable efforts will be undertaken to transfer funds in a manner so as to legally and appropriately diminish the potential effect of government or banking charges.

Schedule

The amount set aside by the Board for funding under this program each year, is divided into two funding periods of equal size.

The awards announcement dates are approximate and depend in part on the number and complexity of the applications.

Unsuccessful applications for funding will not be carried forward for consideration under subsequent funding periods. Applicants may however reapply.

Approval Process

The Project Funding Committee has been established by the Board to review and act upon requests for funding. The Committee will be chaired by the ISOC Membership Director, or other designee of the ISOC CEO, who will be assisted by other ISOC staff and invited experts as needed. The Committee will include up to two other ISOC staff members as chosen by the ISOC CEO and members of the Board of Trustees as appointed by the Board of Trustees from time to time (the Board will assign at least three such members and these members may be any member of the Board of Trustees).

The Committee may seek expert assistance but voting on proposals will only be by the Committee itself. The approval process will normally be guided by a series of preferences which are detailed under Criteria.

Monitoring/Program Evaluation

The Project leader of any funded project is required to make quarterly status reports to the Committee. Quarterly reports must detail the following:

• Use of funds
• Performance to date against the goals of the project
• Outcomes achieved
• Problems encountered
• Other relevant information

A final report is required no later than 30 days after the conclusion of a Project.

Applications should be in English. French or Spanish language will be accepted if English is not possible.

Questions regarding any aspects of this Program should be addressed to projects@isoc.org.

Committee Action

It is understood that questions will arise that are not specifically addressed by these provisions and in such cases the Committee is expected to exercise its best judgment and prudence to achieve the aims of this ISOC Program and report to the Board annually on any matters for which the Committee seeks clarification.

IPR - Note Well

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), if any, arising from the Project funded under this Program or otherwise by ISOC will reside in a 'commons' area for the unrestricted use, benefit and welfare of Internet users worldwide. If such an arrangement is not feasible then ISOC (including all its past and present members, chapters, officers, trustees, volunteers and employees) will not have less than a free, perpetual and irrevocable license to use, develop, distribute and exploit all such IPR as and how it/they so desire.