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[FUNDS] · Research EU programs that provide funding #1329

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opened 2026-01-24 06:26:26 +01:00 by fede · 6 comments
fede commented 2026-01-24 06:26:26 +01:00
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Summary of EU programs providing funding for FLOSS projects

Since the last meeting, I've been researching and evaluating European programs that fund projects like ours. Here's a summary of the results, with information and comments.

There are currently three important programs related to what we do.

1. NGI (Next Generation Internet) / Web: https://ngi.eu/

NGI finances specifically:

  • FLOSS services and tools
  • Federated infrastructure
  • Privacy, encryption, identity, collaboration
  • Alternative platforms to Big Tech

Typical amounts:

€5,000 – €50,000 per module. Sometimes up to €200,000

No large consortium required and NGOs, foundations, and technical collectives are accepted.

2. Horizon Europe / Web: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe_en

This only applies if:

  • The project is formulated as experimental infrastructure.
  • Universities or research centers are involved as partners.
  • Work is being done on, for example: resilience of federated infrastructures
  • digital governance models
  • privacy at scale

3. The Digital Europe Programme / Web: https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/activities/digital-programme

The DEP funds:

  • Implementation
  • Scaling
  • Adoption by users, communities, or SMEs

We only fit in if the project targets:

  • Communities, NGOs, cooperatives
  • Education, activism, civil organizations
  • European alternative to centralized commercial services

This one also looks OK, BUT:

  • It usually requires a consortium
  • More bureaucracy than NGI
  • Although it's a much better fit than Horizon E.

Real prospects

Given the characteristics of the program, its objectives, and the application requirements (https://nlnet.nl/commonsfund/ / https://nlnet.nl/commonsfund/guideforapplicants/), NGI is definitely the best option.

It currently has four open calls:

Of these, we could apply for the NGI Zero Commons Fund, a fund that:

  • finances free software and hardware (FLOSS), open standards, open data, open science, open educational resources, and similar initiatives;
  • supports digital commons, i.e., technological resources that are open to access, use, and modification and oriented toward social good;
  • provides grants typically between €5,000 and €50,000 per project, with the possibility of scaling up if the initiative shows good potential;
  • also offers support services (security and privacy audits, assistance with accessibility, licensing, etc.).

The current call for proposals (11th open call) is open from December 1, 2025, until February 1, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. CET.

The call (named "Reclaim the public nature of the internet") aims to support projects that:

  • develop or improve open digital infrastructure (middleware, federated services, etc.).
  • contribute to technologies that reinforce user autonomy (such as federated XMPP, Lemmy, etc.).
  • promote software that can be adopted, replicated, and reused by third parties (open source).
  • aim to create services that don't depend on large private platforms.

This is exactly our field: a free services platform, focused on privacy and autonomy. And it's a very good funding opportunity.

Key or strategic points to keep in mind when submitting an application

From reading presentations from other organizations and NGI evaluations, the following important points should be taken into account when drafting a document to apply for this fund.

Proposal title (functional example):

“Strengthening Federated, Privacy-Preserving Online Services as a European Digital Commons”

Clear (and concise) objectives:

  • Improve the interoperability of XMPP/Akkoma/Lemmy in federated environments.
  • Implement security audits and best practices for Jitsi/Cloud.
  • Document and package reproducible deployment for communities.

Measurable deliverables:

  • 3 improvement modules ready for production use;
  • Technical documentation and guide for operators;
  • Privacy audit report.

Important practical considerations

Conclusion

This is a call for proposals that we can and should consider, and it's probably the best European funding opportunity available at this time for what we do.

I've also made a draft of the presentation document (or one-pager) that could be submitted. It's an example; I put it together based on the content of our latest meetings and ongoing implementations. We're close to the call's closing date, but I think we can do it. At least we can try. Either way, the information and documentation will remain as practice for the next call.

So please bear with me if some things, especially on the technical side (I'm thinking of you, @muppeth ), sound a little inaccurate. As I mentioned, this isn't something I pulled out of thin air, but rather based on the things we've been discussing (and the more technical aspects aren't exactly my thing). This is the best I could come up with to take advantage of the opportunity. The entire document can be improved and is intended to give you an idea of the procedures and requirements for applying for funding from these kind of programs.

The draft is here:
https://git.disroot.org/Disroot/Disroot-Project/src/branch/funding/Funding/Proposal.Draft.md

# Summary of EU programs providing funding for FLOSS projects Since the last meeting, I've been researching and evaluating European programs that fund projects like ours. Here's a summary of the results, with information and comments. --- There are currently three important programs related to what we do. ## 1. NGI (Next Generation Internet) / Web: https://ngi.eu/ NGI finances specifically: - FLOSS services and tools - Federated infrastructure - Privacy, encryption, identity, collaboration - Alternative platforms to Big Tech Typical amounts: €5,000 – €50,000 per module. Sometimes up to €200,000 No large consortium required and NGOs, foundations, and technical collectives are accepted. ## 2. Horizon Europe / Web: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe_en This only applies if: - The project is formulated as experimental infrastructure. - Universities or research centers are involved as partners. - Work is being done on, for example: resilience of federated infrastructures - digital governance models - privacy at scale ## 3. The Digital Europe Programme / Web: https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/activities/digital-programme The DEP funds: - Implementation - Scaling - Adoption by users, communities, or SMEs We only fit in if the project targets: - Communities, NGOs, cooperatives - Education, activism, civil organizations - European alternative to centralized commercial services This one also looks OK, **BUT:** - It usually requires a consortium - More bureaucracy than NGI - Although it's a much better fit than Horizon E. --- # Real prospects Given the characteristics of the program, its objectives, and the application requirements (https://nlnet.nl/commonsfund/ / https://nlnet.nl/commonsfund/guideforapplicants/), NGI is definitely the best option. It currently has four open calls: - **NGI Zero Review** (https://ngi.eu/opencalls/#ngizeroreview) - **NGI Zero Commons Fund** (https://ngi.eu/opencalls/#NGI-Zero-Commons-11th) - **NGI TALER** (https://ngi.eu/opencalls/#taler-11th) - **NGI FEDIVERSITY** (https://ngi.eu/opencalls/#Fediversity-9th)** Of these, we could apply for the **NGI Zero Commons Fund**, a fund that: - finances free software and hardware (FLOSS), open standards, open data, open science, open educational resources, and similar initiatives; - supports digital commons, i.e., technological resources that are open to access, use, and modification and oriented toward social good; - provides grants typically between €5,000 and €50,000 per project, with the possibility of scaling up if the initiative shows good potential; - also offers support services (security and privacy audits, assistance with accessibility, licensing, etc.). **The current call for proposals (11th open call) is open from December 1, 2025, until February 1, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. CET.** The call (named "Reclaim the public nature of the internet") aims to support projects that: - develop or improve open digital infrastructure (middleware, federated services, etc.). - contribute to technologies that reinforce user autonomy (such as federated XMPP, Lemmy, etc.). - promote software that can be adopted, replicated, and reused by third parties (open source). - aim to create services that don't depend on large private platforms. This is _exactly_ our field: a free services platform, focused on privacy and autonomy. And it's a very good funding opportunity. ## Key or strategic points to keep in mind when submitting an application From reading presentations from other organizations and NGI evaluations, the following important points should be taken into account when drafting a document to apply for this fund. **Proposal title (functional example):** _“Strengthening Federated, Privacy-Preserving Online Services as a European Digital Commons”_ **Clear (and concise) objectives:** - Improve the interoperability of XMPP/Akkoma/Lemmy in federated environments. - Implement security audits and best practices for Jitsi/Cloud. - Document and package reproducible deployment for communities. **Measurable deliverables:** - 3 improvement modules ready for production use; - Technical documentation and guide for operators; - Privacy audit report. ## Important practical considerations - Typical amounts: €5,000–€50,000 (but may scale if potential impact is justified). (https://www.ngi.eu/ngi-projects/ngi-zero-commons-fund) - No consortium required, can be applied for as a foundation only. (https://ngi.eu/opencalls/) - Hard deadline: February 1, 2026, at 12:00 CET. (https://ngi.eu/opencalls/) # Conclusion This is a call for proposals that we can and should consider, and it's probably the best European funding opportunity available at this time for what we do. I've also made a draft of the presentation document (or one-pager) that could be submitted. It's an example; I put it together based on the content of our latest meetings and ongoing implementations. We're close to the call's closing date, but I think we can do it. At least we can try. Either way, the information and documentation will remain as practice for the next call. So please bear with me if some things, especially on the technical side (I'm thinking of you, @muppeth ), sound a little inaccurate. As I mentioned, this isn't something I pulled out of thin air, but rather based on the things we've been discussing (and the more technical aspects aren't exactly my thing). This is the best I could come up with to take advantage of the opportunity. The entire document can be improved and is intended to give you an idea of the procedures and requirements for applying for funding from these kind of programs. The draft is here: https://git.disroot.org/Disroot/Disroot-Project/src/branch/funding/Funding/Proposal.Draft.md
fede self-assigned this 2026-01-24 06:26:26 +01:00
muppeth commented 2026-01-24 09:13:39 +01:00
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The problem with NLNet is that they mostly support software/hardware developement. I always find it hard to find suitable program to apply to. But nonetheless we should check and think how we could contribute to the program.

The problem with NLNet is that they mostly support software/hardware developement. I always find it hard to find suitable program to apply to. But nonetheless we should check and think how we could contribute to the program.
muppeth commented 2026-01-24 09:18:08 +01:00
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@fede Not sure I understand the proposal is about and for what (my guess is nlnet stuff).

@fede Not sure I understand the proposal is about and for what (my guess is nlnet stuff).
fede commented 2026-01-24 15:44:27 +01:00
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Well... the program is from NGI and is run through NLNet. The proposal is submitted to NGI, and the evaluation and funding are managed by NLNet.

The proposal is the project you submit to obtain funding.

I now understand that NGI Zero Commons Fund calls for proposals are not “once a year,” but are published continuously and periodically as long as there's budget available. But while doing my research, I thought that we could organize several of the ideas we have to implement this year and present them in the form of a project that would allow us to obtain funding to devote ourselves fully to them.

Well... the program is from NGI and is run through NLNet. The proposal is submitted to NGI, and the evaluation and funding are managed by NLNet. The proposal is the project you submit to obtain funding. I now understand that NGI Zero Commons Fund calls for proposals are not “once a year,” but are published continuously and periodically as long as there's budget available. But while doing my research, I thought that we could organize several of the ideas we have to implement this year and present them in the form of a project that would allow us to obtain funding to devote ourselves fully to them.
muppeth commented 2026-01-27 13:35:14 +01:00
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@fede I know what it is lol. I was just wondering why you made PR and how does it fit our situation. That call for proposals as well as your proposal is directed towards a software development, and as much as I would love to, we have no capacity nor expertise to fulfill such IMO. The proposal you made, as I read it, is developing a authentication module for all the mentioned services that utilizes openid for client to server connection, which in some cases is already done (lemmy for example) but in some would require developing such authentication plugin to number of clients (xmpp) and server implementations. So yeah I get what the idea is, but I think we are in no place to do it.

That said we could try any see what we could be contributing in terms of "NLNET" funding, and try to find something to apply for (though with nlnet it is mainly software development orientend).

That said @fede thanks a thousand for starting this process. I feel motivated also dig more into this subject. The geopolitical situation does create a good momentum to pursue possible EU based funding.

@fede I know what it is lol. I was just wondering why you made PR and how does it fit our situation. That call for proposals as well as your proposal is directed towards a software development, and as much as I would love to, we have no capacity nor expertise to fulfill such IMO. The proposal you made, as I read it, is developing a authentication module for all the mentioned services that utilizes openid for client to server connection, which in some cases is already done (lemmy for example) but in some would require developing such authentication plugin to number of clients (xmpp) and server implementations. So yeah I get what the idea is, but I think we are in no place to do it. That said we could try any see what we could be contributing in terms of "NLNET" funding, and try to find something to apply for (though with nlnet it is mainly software development orientend). That said @fede thanks a thousand for starting this process. I feel motivated also dig more into this subject. The geopolitical situation does create a good momentum to pursue possible EU based funding.
fede commented 2026-01-31 16:40:37 +01:00
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"That call for proposals as well as your proposal is directed towards a software development"

Well, acccording to the official documentation of the NGI Zero Commons Fund (entitled Reclaim the public nature of the internet and its Guide for Applicants), it's not mandatory for the proposal to be exclusively software development in the strict sense —what's mandatory is that it has a clear R&D component and contributes to building technical digital commons.

The list of activities that can be funded includes, in addition to software:

  • scientific research
  • design and development of open source software and open hardware
  • validation or constructive inquiry into existing or novel technical solutions
  • software engineering aimed at adapting to new usage areas or improving software quality
  • formal security audits, software testing, CI
  • documentation
  • standardisation activities
  • understanding user requirements and improving usability/inclusive design
  • packaging and deployability work
  • participation in relevant technical/community events
  • project management
  • out-of-pocket infrastructure costs essential to the project

This means that it's not just “writing /developing new code,” but also activities such as analysis, integration, testing, documentation, and work that improves how open technology is used, deployed, or maintained.

I think that in our case, interoperability, identity integration, and deployment reproducibility clearly fall into these categories and qualify as eligible activities.

> "That call for proposals as well as your proposal is directed towards a software development" Well, acccording to the official documentation of the NGI Zero Commons Fund (entitled Reclaim the public nature of the internet and its Guide for Applicants), it's not mandatory for the proposal to be exclusively software development in the strict sense —what's mandatory is that it has a clear R&D component and contributes to building technical digital commons. The list of activities that can be funded includes, in addition to software: - scientific research - design and development of open source software and open hardware - validation or constructive inquiry into existing or novel technical solutions - software engineering aimed at adapting to new usage areas or improving software quality - formal security audits, software testing, CI - documentation - standardisation activities - understanding user requirements and improving usability/inclusive design - packaging and deployability work - participation in relevant technical/community events - project management - out-of-pocket infrastructure costs essential to the project This means that it's not just “writing /developing new code,” but also activities such as analysis, integration, testing, documentation, and work that improves how open technology is used, deployed, or maintained. I think that in our case, interoperability, identity integration, and deployment reproducibility clearly fall into these categories and qualify as eligible activities.
muppeth commented 2026-01-31 23:06:04 +01:00
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I think that in our case, interoperability, identity integration, and deployment reproducibility clearly fall into these categories and qualify as eligible activities.

I wish I could agree but as I was looking at it last year I just could not think of an angle to write an application. Identity integration, unless we would be granted to implement it on disroot, sure but apart from eg. howtos there is not much we could contribute to it and would inevitably get stuck on email,xmpp for example as we need those projects to develop such integration.
Same goes for deployment and reproducibility. If we were to work on a thing like disroot's version of yunohost (which we kind of do indeed), then sure. But I don't think we have resources we could allocate to work on this aspect alone as full time, because we have a platform to maintain in the meantime.
This is what's hard with this kind of grants. They are hard to tackle. However we should probably have a little bainstrorming session this month about it. As much as I sound negative about it and dismisal, I am not. I just know it will be hard to deliver (know how it went with lacre), but we could probably find something. So I think session on mumble could be a good thing to schedule in next weeks.

> I think that in our case, interoperability, identity integration, and deployment reproducibility clearly fall into these categories and qualify as eligible activities. I wish I could agree but as I was looking at it last year I just could not think of an angle to write an application. Identity integration, unless we would be granted to implement it on disroot, sure but apart from eg. howtos there is not much we could contribute to it and would inevitably get stuck on email,xmpp for example as we need those projects to develop such integration. Same goes for deployment and reproducibility. If we were to work on a thing like disroot's version of yunohost (which we kind of do indeed), then sure. But I don't think we have resources we could allocate to work on this aspect alone as full time, because we have a platform to maintain in the meantime. This is what's hard with this kind of grants. They are hard to tackle. However we should probably have a little bainstrorming session this month about it. As much as I sound negative about it and dismisal, I am not. I just know it will be hard to deliver (know how it went with lacre), but we could probably find something. So I think session on mumble could be a good thing to schedule in next weeks.
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