Emergency Response Grant
The Emergency Response Program provides funding to organizations working on projects that utilize the Internet to improve lives during or in response to an emergency situation. In 2021, the program focused on projects that responded to COVID-19 by connecting vulnerable and disproportionally affected communities to the Internet. Looking ahead, the Emergency Response program focus will be updated in response to regional or global emergency needs identified by the Foundation and its stakeholders.
The Emergency Response program is one component of the Foundation’s RARE (Resiliency and Responding to Emergencies) program, which seeks to help communities enhance preparedness and build Internet resiliency when faced with adverse events such as national disasters.
Objectives
Provide urgent support to produce lasting, positive outcomes in response to a regional or global emergency.
Help ensure the success of existing Internet-based initiatives and/or help create new ones that encourage long-term resiliency.
2021 Focus: COVID-19
As the global coronavirus pandemic continues to impact our communities, we’ve grown more resilient as a society and have found new ways to cope with the disruption in our lives. However, as we adapt to a new normal, the challenges ahead of us have also changed and reflect the need to solve different types of problems in response to the pandemic. We believe the Internet continues to play a critical role in promoting healthier and safer communities, reducing vulnerabilities, and building resilience as we look ahead.
The Foundation is committed to working with organizations that seek to connect vulnerable and disproportionately affected communities to the Internet in order to respond to challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic. This includes establishing new networks, improving network access, and/or increasing network reliability, speed, or security. Projects should take into account the digital ecosystem of affected communities and be responsive to technological needs at the local level.
Looking ahead, the Emergency Response program focus will be updated in response to regional or global emergency needs identified by the Foundation and its stakeholders.
Eligibility
The basic eligibility requirements for all Foundation grants are outlined here. All applicants must ensure that they meet these basic requirements.
The Foundation is interested in funding organizations that align with the Internet Society’s mission and its work for an open, globally-connected, secure, and trustworthy Internet for everyone.
For this particular program, we will not consider applications that:
Do not propose Internet-based interventions
Are submitted by an individual, rather than an organization
Do not directly address the Emergency Response program focus