Global – June 2026 — The Internet Society Foundation has officially opened applications for its Common Good Cyber Fund (CGCF) 2026 grant programme, a major funding initiative designed to strengthen nonprofit cybersecurity systems, protect vulnerable internet users, and support global digital safety infrastructure.

The fund will provide multi-year operating grants to nonprofit organisations working at the intersection of cybersecurity, digital rights, and online safety, with a strong emphasis on supporting high-risk communities, journalists, and civil society actors exposed to growing digital threats.

Strengthening Global Cybersecurity for the Public Good

The Internet Society Foundation developed the Common Good Cyber Fund in collaboration with international partners to address increasing cybersecurity risks affecting underserved and vulnerable communities worldwide.

The programme responds to the rising frequency and sophistication of cyber threats, including state-directed attacks, transnational digital repression, and targeted online harassment campaigns that disproportionately impact journalists, activists, and human rights defenders.

The initiative is intended to strengthen what the Foundation describes as the “nonprofit cybersecurity ecosystem,” which plays a critical but often underfunded role in protecting digital civic space.

Funding Priorities Under the Common Good Cyber Fund

The CGCF 2026 programme is structured around three core funding objectives designed to support different layers of the global cybersecurity ecosystem.

Objective 1: Critical Cybersecurity Infrastructure

The first funding stream focuses on maintaining essential internet security systems and shared technical infrastructure. This includes support for:

DNS and routing security systems
Large-scale threat detection and analysis tools
Open-source or shared cybersecurity systems
Coordination tools that improve rapid response to cyber threats

These investments aim to strengthen foundational internet infrastructure that supports global connectivity and resilience.

Objective 2: Protection Against Digital Harm

The second funding priority targets direct support for individuals and organisations facing persistent cyber threats, including state-sponsored attacks and digital transnational repression.

Eligible activities include:

Rapid response to account takeovers and cyber incidents
Secure onboarding and digital protection for high-risk users
Privacy-preserving threat intelligence sharing
Regional response networks for digital security assistance

This objective also recognises gendered dimensions of cyber harm, including technology-facilitated gender-based violence, which disproportionately affects women in public and advocacy roles.

Objective 3: Safer Internet for Vulnerable Communities

The third funding stream focuses on translating cybersecurity practices into broader systemic protections for vulnerable groups.

Supported activities include:

Policy and standards development grounded in real-world threat data
Responsible vulnerability reporting systems
Cross-sector coordination mechanisms for cyber incident response
Improved digital safety protocols for civil society and journalists

This objective also supports advocacy work when directly linked to improved cybersecurity outcomes and protective measures.

Global Majority and Ecosystem Strengthening Focus

The 2026 funding round places special emphasis on organisations based in the global majority or those capable of supporting smaller regional partners through regranting mechanisms.

Priority will also be given to organisations demonstrating a strong commitment to gender equity and addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), particularly in relation to high-risk digital environments.

Applicants are expected to show strong operational capacity, governance structures, and evidence of delivering cybersecurity services that protect vulnerable communities.

Funding Size and Structure

The Common Good Cyber Fund is expected to award approximately USD $3.5 million in 2026 through multi-year operating grants.

Key funding details include:

Grant size: USD $100,000 to $300,000
Duration: Two-year grants
Focus: Operational support for cybersecurity ecosystem strengthening
Eligibility: Registered nonprofit organisations (or equivalents)

Funding is designed to support sustainable, long-term cybersecurity capacity rather than short-term projects.

Application Timeline and Process

Applications for the CGCF 2026 round will open on 23 June 2026 and close on 4 August 2026 at 21:00 UTC.

The application process will be managed through the Internet Society Foundation’s Fluxx grants platform, and organisations are encouraged to prepare documentation in advance.

Required materials include:

Operational budget
Tax identification documents
Governance documents
Financial statements and audit reports
List of institutional funders
Optional equivalency determination documents

Applicants must ensure full registration in the system at least 24 hours before the deadline.

Evaluation and Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed in multiple stages, beginning with eligibility screening followed by external expert evaluation.

The review process will involve:

Foundation-led assessment of eligibility and alignment
Independent Program Review Committee evaluation
Strategic advisory input from cybersecurity experts and policy professionals

Final funding decisions will be made by the Internet Society Foundation based on recommendations from the review process.

Strengthening Digital Safety Infrastructure

The Common Good Cyber Fund reflects a growing global recognition of cybersecurity as a public good, particularly in contexts where civil society organisations and journalists face increasing digital threats.

By funding both technical infrastructure and direct protective services, the programme aims to build a more resilient and secure internet ecosystem that supports human rights, free expression, and digital safety worldwide.

Outlook

As cyber threats continue to evolve across borders and platforms, the 2026 CGCF funding round represents a significant investment in nonprofit-led cybersecurity resilience.

The initiative positions the Internet Society Foundation as a key global actor in supporting secure digital ecosystems and protecting vulnerable communities in an increasingly complex online environment.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding