InternetNZ has announced via a blog post its Internet Research funding round for 2015 is officially open.
The organisation will be giving away $80,000 to help fund individuals and organisations conducting research projects focused on internet topics and issues.
This year InternetNZ has already had funding rounds for conference attendance and community projects, including a special round for the Canterbury region.
Every year InternetNZ provides funding to a variety of different people and organisations to improve the internet and our use of it, says Ellen Strickland, InternetNZ collaboration and community lead.
"We do it because our vision is for a better world through a better internet, and to achieve that vision, we recognise that we are in a position where we can help make others make it a reality," says Strickland.
A number of projects have come out of community grants focused on internet research, says Strickland.
She says recent highlights include studies on how New Zealanders view their human rights when using the internet, and an in-depth look at whether network coded TCP can improve the quality of streaming data across long distance links in the South Pacific.
The first stage of the application for funding is to visit the application page and answer some simple questions. From here, InternetNZ will shortlist and ask for more detailed proposals from applicants.
As present stage one applications are due March 2 and the decision will be announced March 16. Stage two applications will be due April 2 and the decision will be released April 20.
"We're passionate about helping the internet community's work - we're keen to help keep people and organisations focused on improving the Internet for everyone," says Strickland.
"We want to hear from anyone who's dreamed of doing a research based project but who need funding support to make it happen. This is one of our core functions, we are a community enabler.
"What we want is a better Internet, and we want to help others to make that a reality," she says.
