Grants

InternetNZ community grants provide support for community-led initiatives that extend the availability, use and benefit of the Internet and its associated technologies and applications in Aotearoa.
Current funding available
On-demand funding (applications close 8 March 2021)
Our on-demand funding is currently available, to support projects up to $10,000 (per project).
To be eligible you must be able to demonstrate a link to our grant round purpose.
Purpose: To help the New Zealand Internet community continue developing our Internet. Projects must fit with our mission to help New Zealanders harness the power of the Internet.
Eligibility and assessment criteria below (click the cross to the right of each title to expand for details). If you are uncertain whether you qualify, we encourage you to get in touch with the Community team at funding@internetnz.net.nz.
Eligibility
Who can apply?
- not-for-profit, charitable and voluntary 'community' organisations with a formal legal structure
- academic institutions
- individuals and/or groups with no formal legal structure
- social enterprises (e.g. Charitable trusts, cooperatives or unions, etc.)
Our on-demand funding in aligned with our strategic focus.
While we do have listed commercial entities as organisations we fund, we are always open to collaborative opportunities that support our grant purpose. Talk to us if that is the case.
Who and what is excluded?
We don’t usually fund website or app development.
For research projects, we have funded overheads in the past, but depending on applications received, these may not be funded in the future.
It may also be helpful to review reports from other initiatives we have funded in the past, in our document library.
Assessment (on-demand funding)
On-demand funding requests are assessed internally on a rolling basis, with approval by the Chief Executive, based on:
- Alignment with purpose
- Potential benefit
- Likelihood of success
Upcoming funding
Grant round
We hold grant rounds for larger funding requests, and our next round will be in mid-2021.
To be eligible you must be able to demonstrate a link to our grant round purpose.
Purpose: This will be made available when the grant round opens.
Eligibility and assessment criteria below. If you have any questions, we encourage you to get in touch with the Community team at funding@internetnz.net.nz.
Eligibility
Who can apply?
- not-for-profit, charitable and voluntary 'community' organisations with a formal legal structure
- academic institutions
- individuals and/or groups with no formal legal structure
- social enterprises (e.g. Charitable trusts, cooperatives or unions, etc.)
Our grant rounds are aligned with our strategic focus.
While we do have listed commercial entities as organisations we fund, we are always open to collaborative opportunities that support our grant purpose. Talk to us if that is the case.
Who and what is excluded?
We don’t usually fund website or app development.
For research projects, we have funded overheads in the past, but depending on applications received, these may not be funded in the future.
It may also be helpful to review reports from other initiatives we have funded in the past, in our document library.
Assessment (larger grant round)
Our larger grant rounds are assessed by our Funding Panel, based on the following extended criteria:
Alignment with purpose
Applicant has:
- identified how the initiative matches the InternetNZ purpose for this grant round
- outlined engagement within the community relevant to this initiative
- identified how the initiative can help address community goals and objectives
Potential benefit
Applicant has:
- indicated the expected outcomes and intended change to the community
- identified how and to what extent the initiative is addressing community/research needs
- identified the initiative’s ongoing commitments and viability if any
- identified the initiative’s relationship to any other related initiatives in New Zealand or internationally
Likelihood of success
Applicant has:
- shown clearly how the initiative will be implemented
- shown strong evaluation capabilities and planning; or the capacity and willingness to evaluation capabilities
- outlined their approach and management of any ethical considerations
- provided evidence of commitment and support - ie. of involved or affected groups/communities, co-funding, in-kind support
- described the experience of the people applying, i.e. a successful track record of implementing the initiative of this kind
- stated what qualifications they have that are relevant to the requirements of the initiative
Previous funding
Historically our grants have been split by project type, including community projects, internet research, on-demand grants and conference attendance awards.
Grantee reports from our previous funding rounds can be found in our document library.
Here are some stories of recent grantees...

Recent research we funded
We gave some great people money to do research. One focussed on the reduction of gaming-related harm and the other around psychological vulnerabilities regarding phishing attempts. Check them out.
Multi-lingual access for Auckland Museum's online collections
James Taylor and the team at the Museum have been busy translating the user interfaces of collections online and online cenotaph into te reo Māori, alongside other website content and information about Auckland Museum collections. Check out more info.

Voice activated access to information
Voice activated technology has been making a huge difference in the lives of people with vision impairments. We are happy to have funded Blind Low Vision NZ to help more people to get online. See more here.