The Internet for Development Grants for Community Networks will be allocated to projects/organizations working to achieve affordable, locally owned and managed communication infrastructure, deploying creative low-cost solutions that use wireless technologies, GSM and/or fibre connections. USD 53,000 is available, as follows:

• USD 30,000 scale-up grants for one existing project looking to expand,
• USD 23,000 small grant for one new project.

Innovation and a development focus must be an integral part of the project proposal. Proposals must also include an implementation component, a realistic timeframe and a detailed budget breakdown.

Proposals must be focused on one or more of the following areas:

• Technical innovation around devices and network management;
• Creative organizational/partnership arrangement(s) and incentives for established ISPs and mobile operators to support local access networks and expand connectivity to underserved areas;
• Innovative business models that support social and economic development, inclusion and diversity;
• Enabling regulatory frameworks that support access provision under a locally owned and managed infrastructure. 

Illustration Photo: Endangered Species Trafficking Program WildScan App funded by USAID. Bang Phra Center for Rescued Wildlife, Chonburi, Thailand. (credits: Montakan Tanchaisawat / USAID / Flickr Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0))