Deadline: 1 June 2025
The European Commission is requesting applications for its NGI Zero Commons Fund to award 21.6 million euro worth of grants to independent researchers in the period between January 1st 2024 and June 30st 2027.
Funding Information
- Total funding available: €19400000,00
- Expected duration of participation: 1-12 months (flexible)
Eligible Activities
- Scientific research
- Design and development of free and 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 proofs, security audits, setup and design of software testing and continuous integration
- Documentation for researchers, developers and end users, including educational materials
- Standardisation activities, including membership fees of standards bodies
- Understanding user requirements and improving usability/inclusive design
- Necessary measures in support of (broad)er deployability, e.g. packaging
- Participation in technical, developer and community events like hackathons, IETF, W3C, RIPE meetings, FOSDEM, etc. (admission fee, travel and subsistence costs)
- Other activities that are relevant to adhering to robust software development and deployment practices
- Project management
- Out-of-pocket costs for infrastructure essential to achieving the above
Eligibility Criteria
- You can apply as an individual, or as a formal or informal organisation of any type.
- There are no categorical exclusions of persons who may not receive support from NGI0 Commons Fund.
- Given equal proposals, inhabitants of the EU and countries associated to Horizon Europe are given priority. However if the project is of exceptional quality and the proposer holds unique technical expertise proposals from outside of those geographic areas can be eligible as well — under the condition that there is a clear European dimension.
- Young people that have not yet reached the age of legal consent in their country of origin (typically 18 years old) on the date of the deadline may apply without any constraints; consent from a legal guardian such as a parent does not have to be provided prior to initial submission, but will be required to enter any further negotiations.
For more information, visit European Commission.