The Information Society Innovation Fund (ISIF Asia) is the flagship grants program of the APNIC Foundation. It funds solutions to further Internet connectivity and meaningful access and helps unlock the innovative use of the Internet and Internet-enabled technologies to improve socio-economic and human development outcomes across the Asia Pacific. Many communities in the region still face barriers such as limited connectivity, unequal access to the Internet and digital technology, and a lack of digital capabilities.
ISIF Asia addresses these gaps by supporting diverse organisations, including technical bodies, government agencies, universities, entrepreneurial initiatives and grassroots entities, that are best placed to deliver replicable and scalable solutions that are premised in, and responsive, to community contexts.
ISIF Asia helps fund projects that build capabilities, drive innovation, and support digital transformation. Each year, it provides grants to a number of initiatives selected through a competitive process, ensuring diverse ideas and contexts are represented. Through this work, ISIF Asia connects partners across the region, supports knowledge sharing, and enables change that improves access to the Internet thereby creating new opportunities for people and communities.
As of March 2026, ISIF Asia has supported 195 grants and 42 awards allocating over USD 11.6 million across 34 economies.
Our grants program seeks to empower communities in the Asia Pacific region to research, design and implement Internet-based solutions for their own needs, placing emphasis on the positive role the Internet has in social, economic and human development.
We are passionate about equal representation in the tech industry, and want to see reduced barriers to connectivity and increase meaningful access in underserved communities.
We partner with organisations that have an overlap with the APNIC Foundation’s core mandate to contribute to Internet and digital development. We look for innovative projects that focus on interventions to connectivity and access, and enhance meaningful access in unserved and underserved areas, including cultivating communities of practice and informing policy for an inclusive Internet.
Grants are open to any kind of organisation, be it government departments, private companies or non-government organisations. These organisations can be in any industry or area of social impact.
Initiatives supported can range from large-scale collaborations across multiple organisations and economies in the region to local solutions.
Individuals are not eligible to apply.
Initiatives must be conducted in the Asia Pacific region and led by organisations registered in one of the 56 economies in the APNIC Foundation service region.
The Call for Applications occurs annually at the start of each year and operates as a competitive selection process. Successful grantees will enable projects to commence in Q4 of that years funding cycle. Each year the website will be updated with the commencement dates.
For further information refer to the Frequently Asked Questions.
Applicants are asked to choose one of the funding tiers available:
The call for concept notes for ISIF Asia 2026 has now closed.
The next round of concept notes will be open in 2027.
ISIF Asia 2026 Key Dates:
Within the selection review cycle, applications must meet the minimum criteria to pass through to the next stage.
This is a competitive review process and applications are evaluated against merit and peers. Unsuccessful applications will be notified throughout the duration of the review process.