The Nominet DNS Fund supports open-source infrastructure that helps keep the internet secure, resilient and operational. This page highlights funded projects and shows how each contributes to the wider DNS ecosystem. New projects will be added here as future funding rounds progress.
Up to £370K was available in the 2025 Nominet DNS Fund application window. Below are the first five successful applicants.
Where funded projects fit in the DNS ecosystem
DNS relies on a broad ecosystem of software, tooling and infrastructure. This visual shows how funded projects contribute to different parts of that ecosystem. Hover over the light blue boxes to find out more about each project.
The projects we’re funding
Internet Systems Consortium (ISC) BIND 9
Project: Replacing the BIND 9 Scalability and Performance test bed
Organisation: Internet Systems Consortium, Inc
Country: USA
Project Description:
This project builds a new testing environment to help improve one of the world’s most widely used internet naming systems (BIND 9). It will allow developers to spot performance problems earlier and ensure the software keeps up with modern hardware and growing internet demand.
OARC Validns
Project: validns – DNS and DNSSEC zone file validator
Organisation: OARC Inc
Country: USA
Project Description:
validns is a tool that checks large sets of internet address data to make sure they are correct before being published. It’s designed to work quickly and efficiently, helping prevent errors that could otherwise cause outages or security issues.
OpenSSL Library
Project: OpenSSL Library
Organisation: OpenSSL Foundation
Country: USA
Project Description:
OpenSSL is a widely used piece of open source software that helps keep online communications secure, such as protecting websites, apps, and data transfers. It’s a critical building block of the global internet and is relied on by countless organisations, from small open source projects to major commercial companies.
NLNet Labs
Project: Cascade
Organisation: NLnet Labs
Country: Netherlands
Project Description:
Cascade is a new tool that helps make sure internet address information is protected from tampering. It’s designed to be easier to understand and manage than older tools, giving operators clearer insight into what’s happening and more confidence that things are working as intended.
Quad9
Project: Quad9
Organisation: Quad9 Foundation
Country: Switzerland
Project Description:
Quad9 is a free internet service that helps people reach websites quickly while also blocking known security threats and respecting user privacy. It is entirely open source and actively supports the wider internet community through collaboration, research, and shared standards.
“Historically, finding funding for this kind of ‘plumbing’ work has been extremely difficult, even though many registries and operators rely on it. The Nominet DNS Fund has changed that dynamic for us. Not only is the funding itself valuable, but the fact that a major registry is explicitly backing this kind of infrastructure sends an important signal to the wider industry. It tells operators and policymakers that maintaining shared, open source tools is a priority, not an afterthought.”
– Phil Reginauld, President of DNS-OARC
Get notified when we’re next inviting proposals
If you have any feedback on the Fund, including improvements we could make so that it is more accessible or impactful, then please let us know.
If you would like to be alerted when the Fund is next inviting proposals, please add your name and email address to the feedback. We’ll add your details to our mailing list so that we can notify you when the next round of funding is launched.
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