Verified 2026-09-27. Official application · Official call · Current GenAI policy

NLnet’s November grant is open. Check the AI rule before drafting.

NLnet accepts applications for its first Open Internet Stack call until 3 November 2026 at 12:00 CET. First grant requests are EUR 5,000–50,000. Individuals may apply in principle, but the project must fit an active fund and release its results under open licences. EU-supported funds require a strong European dimension.

For an applicant using GenAI

The current NLnet policy allows GenAI assistance in preparing an application if it is disclosed and a prompt provenance log is kept. The log must contain the model, prompt dates and times, prompts, and unedited outputs. Purely AI-generated work cannot be claimed for grant payment. NLnet says it is revising this policy and advises people who intend to use LLMs to wait for the new version before submitting.

Restack’s topic rule is separate: AI-related projects are outside scope unless they already have more than one million active human users and are directly relevant to the open internet stack. This is a specific technical grant, not general startup funding.

Before applying

Choose the active fund and check its project scope and European-dimension rule.
Prepare a project summary, task and rate budget, comparison with other efforts, technical challenges, and your relevant experience.
If you plan LLM use, read the current policy and check for the promised revision before you submit. Do not assume disclosure alone makes a mostly generated project eligible.

Unknown: when the revised policy will appear, whether this particular project will fit, and whether a grant will be awarded. Compare individual routes.