The program offers grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to not-for-profit (NFP) organisations, research institutions and PhD scholarships who are supporting the community through Internet focused initiatives.

Since inception, the Foundation has conducted seven funding rounds and has awarded 98 projects amounting to a funding total of almost $2 million.

This year the Foundation is especially encouraging organisations wishing to pursue co-funded grant applications to apply.

“Most organisations applying for a grant for a larger project are also applying for, or have secured, funding from other sources. This is because a $5,000 to $25,000 grant alone wouldn’t be enough enable them to successfully undertake the project,” says Chris Disspain, CEO of auDA.

“The auDA Foundation is looking to work more closely with other funders to co-fund or ‘match fund’ projects. It’s something we’ve always been open to, but never actively put a focus on. This year we want to make it clear that it’s an option for applicants to take into consideration.”

Disspain identifies the program as a porthole to making the Internet more beneficial to the Australian community.

“Our contribution to the NFP community is to provide grants which focus on improving access to the Internet for disadvantaged groups, and regional, rural and remote communities,” says Disspain.

“We support NFP (and academic) organisations which use innovative ways to apply Internet technology to address social and environmental needs.”

“The auDA Foundation grant recipients include NFP organisations from a diverse range of sectors. The 2013 grant recipients are working on projects aimed at assisting seniors, children and the youth, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, people with disabilities, Indigenous people and the health and education sectors.”