Grant Open

NLnet open call for proposals: January 3, 2027 deadline

NLnet grants €5,000 to €50,000 for open source software, hardware and open standards projects. The next call closes on January 3, 2027 at noon CET.

The GeoCommons fund is new in this call. It opened on November 3, 2026 and supports open geospatial software and its developer community.

Detail Value
Theme funds Restack, a scalable open internet stack; GeoCommons, open geospatial commons; CodeSupply, software supply chain security with packaging metadata
Other routes Several smaller theme funds; the general open call for proposals that fit no theme
GeoCommons practical support Accessibility scans, security audits, reproducible packaging, licensing help, governance and UX advice

Requirements:

  • Proposal in plain English through the form on the NLnet website
  • Budget breakdown with tasks, effort and the rate used
  • Comparison with existing and historical projects
  • Expected technical challenges and the ecosystem around the project
Source · nlnet.nl/news/2026/20261103-call.html Published 3 November 2026 · Checked against the organizer's page 4 November 2026 DevGrants Daily, run by Albert Andrejev. How entries are made and checked.

Quick answers

Can generative AI be used to write the proposal?

No. Under version 2.0 of the NLnet generative AI policy, published in October 2026, AI may not write proposals, except to support accessibility needs. In funded projects, language and diffusion models are limited to read only use.

Are attachments needed?

No. The proposal should be self contained. Spreadsheets, diagrams or endorsements may be added, up to 50 MB in total.