The NGI Zero Commons Fund supports the development and maintenance of open-source software and commons-based projects that align with the Next Generation Internet (NGI) values of openness, interoperability, and decentralization. It exists to fund small, community-driven initiatives that contribute to a more human-centric, resilient, and trustworthy internet, with a focus on practical, usable outcomes rather than pure research.

- Open-source license and public repository (e.g., on GitHub) - Clear alignment with NGI values (openness, interoperability, decentralization, privacy, trustworthiness) - Technical quality and feasibility of the proposed work - Potential for community adoption and impact - Applicant's track record and capacity to deliver - Budget justification (typically small grants, up to €50k) - For 'Lets Get Started' track: early-stage projects, minimal viable product or prototype, clear plan for next steps - No requirement for academic affiliation; independent developers and small teams are eligible - Must be based in EU or Horizon Europe associated countries (or have a legal entity there) – check specific eligibility

Past NGI Zero grantees include a mix of independent developers, small startups, and non-profit organizations working on open-source tools such as federated social media plugins, privacy-preserving analytics, decentralized identity solutions, and open hardware. Typical winners are pragmatic builders who ship working code and have a clear user community. Named examples are not available on the page, but the fund's portfolio includes projects like 'OpenWrt' and 'Matrix' in earlier NGI programs.

The ideal applicant is a hands-on developer or small team with a working open-source project that addresses a concrete internet or digital commons problem. They have a clear roadmap, a public repository with active development, and a demonstrated ability to deliver. They are not primarily researchers but builders who can articulate how their software improves the internet's openness or resilience.