nominet dns fund – PROJECTS

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