Programme Thesis
NLnet Foundation International Grant funds open-source, internet-based projects that advance the public interest, including scientific research, privacy, and digital rights. It exists to support small, independent, and early-stage initiatives that align with NLnet's mission of promoting a free and open digital society.
Selection Criteria
Eligibility: Open-source (libre) software or hardware projects; projects must be non-commercial and benefit the public; applicants can be individuals, small teams, or non-profits; no restriction on nationality, but projects must be globally accessible. Evaluation criteria: Technical quality and feasibility; clarity of project goals and deliverables; alignment with NLnet's thematic areas (e.g., open science, privacy, digital rights); potential for societal impact; open-source licensing and reproducibility; budget justification and cost-effectiveness; applicant's capability and track record. Reviewer priorities: Innovation and novelty; contribution to open-source ecosystem; sustainability and maintenance plan; ethical considerations; diversity and inclusion (e.g., LMIC perspectives).
Past Winners / Cohort Profiles
Past winners include a mix of independent developers, small non-profits, and academic researchers. Archetypes: (1) Privacy-focused tool developers (e.g., encryption, anonymity); (2) Open science platform builders (e.g., open access publishing, data sharing); (3) Decentralized internet infrastructure projects; (4) Educational and accessibility software. Named examples are not available on the page, but NLnet's portfolio includes projects like 'NGI Zero' recipients, which often feature early-career researchers and grassroots initiatives.
Ideal Candidate Fingerprint
The ideal applicant is an independent developer or small team with a clear, open-source project that addresses a pressing societal or scientific challenge. They demonstrate technical competence, a working prototype or proof-of-concept, and a realistic plan for development. They are committed to libre licensing and community engagement, and they can articulate how their project aligns with NLnet's mission of fostering a free and open digital society.
Recommended Framing
For Eniola, the strongest angle is to position the CCT model as an open-source, reproducible computational tool for addiction neuroscience, with direct global health impact, especially in LMICs. Emphasize the fully open-source code (OSF/Zenodo), the rigorous Bayesian calibration, and the potential to democratize access to advanced neuropharmacological modeling. Highlight his LMIC background and early-career status as a unique perspective that NLnet values, and frame the project as a libre software contribution to open science, not just a research output.
Watch Out
Potential red flags: (1) NLnet typically funds software/hardware projects, not pure research; the CCT model must be framed as a software tool (e.g., a simulation package) with clear open-source deliverables. (2) The project is currently in preprint/review; NLnet may prefer projects with a clear development roadmap beyond the current research. (3) The applicant is enrolled in a Master's program, which might raise questions about time commitment; clarify how the project will be sustained. (4) The budget range (€5k-€50k) may be small for the scope; ensure the budget is realistic and focused on software development, not just research.