Deadline
31 May, 2022
The Internet is permanently under construction. Ensuring its stability and security is essential to strengthen user trust and foster Internet growth in Latin America and the Caribbean.
This line of funding focuses on four key themes or thematic axes and a subcategory related to the use and application of Blockchain technology for Internet stability and security.
Network Architecture and Operation
Monitoring, measurement, management, optimization, automation and/or innovation in network architecture and operation related to one or more of the following priority topics:
BGP
DNS
Protocols
Performance
Traffic Engineering and Interconnection
Monitoring, measurement, management, control, modeling, optimization and/or innovation in one or more of the priority topics and related to the specific areas below:
IXPs
CDNs
BGP
QoS
Cryptography, Security and Resilience
Contribution to Internet security and resilience, the prevention of, and response to, attacks, incidents and anomalies in Internet infrastructure, and the generation of innovative approaches and solutions with a special emphasis on the priority issues detailed below:
DNS (approaches such as DNSSEC or others)
Routing Security
RPKI and/or Extensions
Route Origin Validation
IoT
DDoS
Malware
Future Development of the Internet
This line of work and research seeks to contribute to the future development of the Internet in the LAC region. Its approach is broad and places special emphasis on addressing the regional challenges posed by the priority topics detailed below:
IPv6
High performance computing
Use of Blockchain and its applications
Other innovative topics related to the line of work and research
Subcategory
Use and Application of Blockchain Technology for Internet Stability and Security
Projects presented in this subcategory should focus on the use and application of Blockchain technology in relation to one of the four main thematic axes included in the Internet Stability and Security category, more specifically, Cybersecurity, Resilience, Interconnection, and Network Operation, and/or in relation to one or more specific subtopics.
In this subcategory, applicants may present research projects, case studies, and/or proofs of concept and/or prototypes designed to achieve practical goals and specific original results related to the use and application of Blockchain technology for Internet Stability and Security.
Since this is a recent area of study and practical application, projects should seek to obtain results that will contribute to practical and concrete solutions and/or to generate knowledge that may be useful to expand and promote the topic in our region.
Purpose
The main purpose of the FRIDA program is to support projects, initiative,s or solutions that contribute to the consolidation of a global, open, stable, and secure Internet. Two formats are available:
Grants
FRIDA Grants provide non-reimbursable funds and technical support to projects, initiatives, or solutions with a maximum duration of 12 months.
Awards
FRIDA Awards offer economic recognition and highlight projects, initiatives, or solutions with proven, concrete impact.
Beneficiaries
For both formats (Grants or Awards), applicants must be based in and conduct their activities in Latin America and the Caribbean, specifically in territories that are part of the LACNIC service region. Proposals should also focus on these territories.
In all cases, the following groups may apply to the FRIDA Program:
- Operators, IXPs, NOGs, or other actors in the technical community
- Universities, research centers, or working groups/experts
- Associations, cooperatives, and other civil society organizations
- Public and/or government agencies
- Private entities and/or companies
Non-reimbursable financial support and technical follow-up
Grants
Projects, initiatives, or solutions selected under the Grants format may each request financial support up to US$30,000. Any project carried out with the support of FRIDA must use open-source software and/or open-source hardware.
In addition to financial support, the FRIDA Program follows the execution of the project and provides opportunities for the dissemination of its results and the knowledge generated.
Awards
Projects, initiatives, or solutions selected under the Awards format will each receive a recognition from LACNIC, US$10,000 in financial support.
