Competition

* Unless explicitly noted, all times indicated for deadlines are for the appropriate NL timezone (NST or NDT)

CIRA’s Net Good Grants program will open for applications from February 2 to March 18, 2026. Net Good Grants are designed to support community-led internet projects that make the internet more accessible, affordable, safe and inclusive for all Canadians.

In 2026, we’ll continue to fund projects across our three core areas:

• Infrastructure – improving connectivity and access

• Online safety – building skills, tools and supports for safer internet use

• Policy engagement – ensuring communities have a voice in decisions that shape how the internet works for them

For 2026, our focus is on all communities working to close Canada’s digital divides - whether that means tackling connectivity gaps, affordability barriers, online harms, or lack of representation in internet decision-making. If your work is helping people get online and use the internet safely and confidently from seniors to youth, newcomers or others, Net Good Grants may be a great fit this year.

What we fund

• Infrastructure

• Online safety

• Policy engagement

Who can apply

• Non-profit organizations

• Registered charities

• Academics at Canadian universities and colleges

• Indigenous communities

In addition to the external funding agency’s submission procedures, this opportunity must also be submitted for Departmental, HSS Faculty, and Research Initiatives and Services (RIS) institutional reviews and approvals via Memorial's Researcher Portal (RP). In order to facilitate the HSS Faculty’s administrative review, please ensure "Heather C. O'Brien (Grants Facilitator)" and “Matthew Milner (Grants Facilitator)” are added as "Team Members" on your RP file. 

In accordance with University-wide approval protocols, all tabs of the RP file must be completed, the completed application must be uploaded to the “Attachments” tab, all supporting documentation including support for cash and in-kind commitments and/or letters of support must also be uploaded, and “Submit” must be pressed prior to the HSS internal deadline listed below. HSS cannot guarantee completion of an administrative review for application files that are incomplete and/or are submitted after the HSS deadline. For more detailed submission instructions and information, please consult the HSS Research Support Services website.

If you plan to apply to this competition or other research funding opportunities (as either PI or CI), e-mail an HSS Grants Facilitator, Heather C. O’Brien (HSSResearchAdmin@mun.ca or 864-8603) or Matthew Milner (HSSResearchGrants@mun.ca or 864-8050), to notify the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of your intent to apply. E-mailing the intent to apply as early as possible will help to facilitate an efficient review. A Grants Facilitator can answer any questions you may have about internal or external submission procedures and may also be able to help with proposal development.