The ICANN Grant Program team is pleased to share that implementation of the first cycle of funding continues to move forward as planned, with momentum across funded projects, interim reporting, and community engagement.
The first cycle is approaching the close of its first interim reporting period, and all grantees have successfully submitted their first interim reports. This important milestone represents the program's commitment to accountability and continuous learning. It also celebrates the ongoing collaboration and coordination between functions within ICANN to deliver the program effectively. Interim reporting is designed not simply as a compliance exercise, but as an opportunity to assess progress, identify emerging trends, and build evidence that will inform future cycles of funding.
Grantees are demonstrating strong operational capacity and a commitment to deliver projects in support of the objectives of the program. This early progress highlights the thoughtful program design and the readiness of grantees to translate proposals into measurable outcomes and tangible impact.
Engagement during this reporting period has been strong. Grantees are consistently delivering comprehensive reports in a timely manner, which signals a shared understanding of expectations and ICANN's role as a steward of community resources. It also demonstrates grantee commitment to the program's long-term success. This level of participation reinforces the relationship between ICANN and its grantee partners and strengthens the implementation approach of the program. Early performance data is equally encouraging. While many projects are in formative stages, progress reported to date is aligned with expectations and indicates that the funded initiatives are advancing steadily and purposefully toward their intended outcomes. Financial disbursements correspond with the program's progress to date. Just under $5 million has been distributed to grantees to date, with all 23 of the first installments fully disbursed, and 21 second installments released thus far. Two progress reports are currently being reviewed. Each report undergoes a thorough internal ICANN review, and subsequent payments are issued only upon approval, demonstrating continued confidence in grantee implementation. Together, these indicators suggest that the first cycle is proceeding as planned and beginning to positively contribute to the Internet ecosystem.
As the program moves into its next phase, ICANN remains committed to supporting grantees, capturing lessons learned, and maintaining community involvement as it relates to the program. The progress achieved thus far offers a strong foundation for the work ahead and affirms the program's role in advancing initiatives that contribute to a stable, secure, and unified global Internet.
Here is a selection of publications produced by some of the grantees on their funded projects: