Restack - OC#1
Funding R&D projects that build, mature and scale free and open source technologies for a robust, secure and deployable Open Internet Stack.
TYPE OF PROJECTS TO BE FUNDED: R&D projects contributing to the establishment of an Open Internet Stack, including the design and development of free and open source software and open hardware, validation of technical solutions, software engineering, security work and testing, standardisation, documentation, usability and inclusive design, deployment and packaging activities, and scientific research.
SECTORS / DOMAIN: Information and Comunication Tecnologies (ICT), with a focus on core internet infrastructure, foundational open technologies, networked services and applications, security, privacy, interoperability and deployable open technology stacks.
INDIVIDUAL OR CONSORTIUM: Individuals, formal or informal organisations of any type, and collaborations between them may apply. A legal entity is not required at the application stage.
SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Proposals must be written in English, have research and development as their primary objective and contribute to the goals of Restack and the Open Internet Stack. Projects must have a clear European dimension. Applicants from the EU and Horizon Europe associated countries are given priority between otherwise equal proposals; applicants from elsewhere may also be eligible. Scientific outcomes must be published as open access, and funded software and hardware must be released in their entirety under a recognised free or open source licence.
SPECIFIC TOPICS OR CHALLENGES: The call is open to contributions across all layers of the technology stack. In-scope areas include core internet infrastructure, alternatives to closed online technologies serving large user bases, secure and privacy-friendly devices, full-stack security, software supply chain management, reproducibility, trust-enhancing technologies, infrastructure decoupling, service management and deployment, interoperability and open standards. AI-related projects are outside the scope unless the technology is already widely used throughout society and directly relevant to the stack.
PROJECTS DURATION: Projects are expected by default to be completed within 12 months, although qualified exceptions may be made. Applicants may propose a different timeline provided that it fits within the programme lifetime.
BUDGET, FUNDING RATES AND PAYMENT CONDITIONS:
Funding rate: 100% rate.
Budget conditions / limitations: Initial proposals may request between €5,000 and €50,000. Subsequent proposals may be larger, subject to the programme conditions, with a maximum of €150,000 per proposal and a cumulative maximum of €500,000 per third party over the lifetime of the programme.
Payments: Grants are not paid upfront. Projects are divided into milestones with an amount allocated to each milestone, and payment may be requested once the corresponding milestone has been completed.
Links
Closes
03/11/2026
Max funding per project
50.000€