InternetNZ launches funding round for policy research

InternetNZ launches funding round for policy and legal research

Media Release – 2 July 2012

InternetNZ (Internet New Zealand Inc) today launched a new one-off funding round for policy and legal-related research projects. A total of $100,000 is available, with a $20,000 cap per project.

The Policy & Legal Funding Round is for research projects that explore the intersect of the Internet and public policy or law. Only those projects that align with InternetNZ's objects can be funded as the organisation is a registered charity. This funding round is part of InternetNZ’s $500,000 annual budget for community funding.

To help prospective applicants determine the type of projects InternetNZ is looking for, InternetNZ Chief Executive Vikram Kumar says a few illustrative examples are:

Development of a principles-based approach to future law-making in New Zealand involving the Internet and Internet intermediaries. This might include analysis of making a law for the Internet specifically versus making laws generally that have specific references to the Internet.
A policy analysis of including the right to access the Internet as a universal service obligation in New Zealand.
Identification and evaluation of existing policy and research evidence for promoting digital inclusion of economically poor individuals, families, and communities.
Identification and analysis of references to key Internet terms, such as Internet Service Provider (ISP), in all existing New Zealand legislation to highlight inconsistencies and differences. And, optionally, proposing definitions for future law-making in New Zealand.

The application process will be in 2 stages:

Stage 1 - Expressions of Interest

Applicants submit an Expression of Interest, with a brief outline of their project.
Shortlisted applications will be invited to proceed to Stage 2.

Stage 2 - Detailed Project Proposal

Shortlisted applicants submit a detailed project proposal.
Final decisions will be made by InternetNZ's governing Council.

The first stage – Expressions of Interest – closes on 29 June 2012. Details and forms are at www.internetnz.net.nz/policyfunding. Shortlisted applicants then have till 18 July 2012 to submit detailed project proposals. InternetNZ hopes to make final decisions on the applications by 17 August 2012.

The funding round will be overseen by InternetNZ’s Grants Committee, with the advice of two subject matter experts – Internet policy specialist Ellen Strickland from the University of Queensland, and Graeme Crombie, a partner at the law firm Minter Ellison Rudd Watts.
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