By Oliver Tweedie, CTO, Nominet
Today, we’ve announced the launch of the Nominet DNS Fund. Our new initiative seeks to fund open source projects that support the Domain Name System (DNS) – a critical, foundational layer of the internet that translates domain names into IP addresses, enabling all online services.
When we stop and look at the software and the kit that keeps the Internet running – there’s a story that’s both inspiring and concerning in equal parts. This critical infrastructure, which the entire online world benefits from, relies on open source technology that’s developed and maintained by a few incredible individuals. Many essential open source projects, including those related to DNS, struggle to secure sustainable funding.
But this technology is the foundation of everything we do online. Every time you scroll through your phone, send an email, or visit a website, you’re relying on open source software. The world takes this for granted – but if we don’t act, some of these projects could fade away, and the consequences would be felt by everyone.
Many of those who built and have maintained the backbone of the internet, are now approaching retirement. In the next ten years, the number of experienced individuals preserving these systems will continue to decline. We need to ensure the next generation is ready to take over, maintain, and improve the open source projects that underpin everything we do online.
This means updating old codebases, attracting new talent, and making sure there’s a real community behind each project – not just one or two overworked maintainers. Meanwhile, we’re seeing more security vulnerabilities than ever. And as fewer people understand the code, the risk of something being exploited only increases. We also must be vigilant about who’s contributing, given the rise of supply chain attacks and the potential for malicious actors to add harmful code into widely used libraries.
That’s why I’m passionate about initiatives like Nominet’s DNS Fund. This isn’t just about keeping the lights on for us, it’s about supporting the whole ecosystem that makes the internet work. We’re aiming to help projects become truly sustainable by building communities, encouraging new contributors, and making sure the knowledge and skills don’t disappear as people retire. It’s about enabling these projects to expand, modernise, and become more resilient – not just survive.
My advice to those applying is think bigger – beyond keeping a project running for another couple of years. Focus on building a strong, engaged community around your project, which can sustain it for the long-term if you are no longer able. We want to support projects that are making a lasting impact on the open source ecosystem.
We all need an internet that’s reliable and secure long into the future. That’s possible with more contributors, more awareness and a wider commitment to these critical initiatives that keep everything running as we expect.
Applications for the Nominet DNS Fund are open now. These are submitted exclusively via our online form, and applications for the first round close on Sunday, 26 October.
To find out more, and submit a proposal, visit our website.