Digital Infrastructure Insights Fund Co-Commissions
The Digital Infrastructure Insights Fund (D//F) brings partners together to co-commission research about digital infrastructure in the public interest. It combines complementary expertise and resources to inform policy, support civil society and strengthen the technological commons.
What You Get
- Opportunities to discuss a jointly commissioned research effort or a match with a philanthropic partner around an open digital infrastructure challenge or research insight.
- Coordination across research and practice communities, with partners contributing different expertise and resources.
Focus Areas
The published collaborations illustrate the kinds of research and coordination D//F supports:
Internet Infrastructure and Accountability
- Work with ARTICLE 19 examines openness, transparency and accountability in submarine cables and satellite internet.
- Related research addresses private control of connectivity, satellite governance, concentrated cloud infrastructure and the effect of AI crawlers on the online commons.
Public Support for Open Technology
- A feasibility study involving Open Forum Europe, researchers from EUI and Fraunhofer, and GitHub co-financing examines the legal and economic case for an EU Sovereign Tech Fund.
- The study’s proposal for at least €350M over seven years concerns a potential European funding mechanism; it is not a D//F award or a budget offered to applicants here.
Software Security Funding
- D//F facilitated collaboration around American University and Atlantic Council research commissioned by Germany’s Sovereign Tech Agency.
- The work examines how targeted support can improve open-source security more effectively than undirected funding.
Application Process
- Contact katharina@infrastructureinsights.fund if you want to support co-commissioned work or explore a philanthropic match for a relevant challenge or insight.
- Use this route to discuss a possible collaboration with the fund.