Academic Research Grant Program Purpose
The Netdev Foundation is pleased to invite university and research-institute faculty to respond to this call for research proposals on Linux Kernel Networking. Unrestricted research grants of up to USD 50,000.
The primary objective of this initiative is to sponsor academic investigation that advances the Linux Kernel Networking stack. Please note that the delivery of upstream code patches is not a formal requirement for these research awards.
One award is available for the 2027-2028 academic year. We are interested in a wide range of research topics related to Linux Kernel Networking, including, but not limited to:
- Security in the Age of AI: Exploring ways to leverage AI for kernel-level security, such as automating the triage of modern network anomalies and threats.
- Flexible Modelling of Hardware: Developing innovative software models and frameworks that better enable, integrate with, and support modern physical networking devices.
- Verification of Protocol Stacks: Investigating advanced techniques—such as formal mathematical methods or fuzzing—to guarantee the reliability, safety, and performance of complex networking protocols.
- Congestion Control: Designing or adapting pacing algorithms to optimize data flow for specialized, variable, or high-speed modern network environments.
- Development Process: Research into the development model of the upstream Linux Kernel networking subsystem and how it may be adapted to meet the changing needs of stakeholders given the influence of AI.
Proposal
Please submit your proposal as a single PDF document, using a standard 11-point font and 1-inch/2.54cm margins. The proposal must be organized in the following order:
1. Cover Page (1 page)
- Project Title
- Principal Investigator (PI) Name, Title, and Contact Information
- Co-PI(s) Names, Titles, and Contact Information (if applicable)
- Lead Institution and Collaborating Institutions (if applicable)
- Total Funding Amount Requested
2. Project Summary (maximum 2 pages)
- Abstract: A high-level overview of the research focus and objectives.
- Background & Prior Work: A brief explanation of the problem space, relevant prior research, and why it matters to the Linux Kernel Networking stack.
- Methodology: A description of the technical approach, techniques, or models that will be used.
- Timeline & Milestones: A practical timeline for the 2027-2028 academic year outlining expected outcomes, deliverables, and progress markers.
3. Budget and Justification (1 page)
- An itemized table of requested funds including researcher salaries, graduate student stipends/tuition, equipment, and travel.
- Line items for any applicable institutional indirect costs (overhead).
- A brief narrative justifying how the requested funds are essential to completing the proposed work.
4. Curricula Vitae
- CVs for the PI and all Co-PIs (maximum 2 pages per person).
5. Administrative Details
- Organization details for the lead institution, including tax identification information and contact details for the university’s grants/sponsored projects administration office.
Eligibility
- Awards must comply with applicable U.S. and international laws, regulations and policies.
- Applicants must be current full-time or part-time faculty at an accredited academic institution or at a reputed research institute.
- Applicants must be the Principal Investigator on any resulting award.
Additional Information
- Payment will be made to the proposer’s host university as a lump sum unrestricted gift. Because of its nature, salary and headcount could be included as part of the budget presented for the RFP. Since the award/gift is paid to the university, they will be able to allocate the funds to that winning project and have the freedom to use as they need.
- Award funds can be used to cover a researcher’s salary. Typically research funds ideally cover graduate or post-graduate students’ employment and tuition, and other research costs, e.g., equipment, laptops, incidental costs.
- The award funds may be used to cover institutional indirect costs. Please clearly itemize the indirect cost rate and amount within your budget description. We encourage institutions to minimize indirect costs where possible to maximize funds directly supporting the research.
- Collaborative proposals involving Co-Principal Investigators (Co-PIs) and/or cross-institutional partnerships are highly encouraged.
- For multi-university collaborations, applicants must designate a single primary Principal Investigator (PI) and a lead institution to receive and manage the award.
Terms & Conditions
- By submitting a proposal, you are authorizing Netdev Foundation to evaluate the proposal for a potential award, and you agree to the terms herein.
- You agree that Netdev Foundation will not be required to treat any part of the proposal as confidential or protected by copyright.
- You agree and acknowledge that personal data submitted with the proposal, including name, mailing address, phone number, and email address of you and other named researchers in the proposal may be collected, processed, stored and otherwise used by Netdev Foundation for the purposes of evaluating the contents of the proposal.
- You acknowledge that neither party is obligated to enter into any business transaction as a result of the proposal submission, Netdev Foundation is under no obligation to review or consider the proposal, and neither party acquires any intellectual property rights as a result of submitting the proposal.
- You agree to provide two blog posts providing insight and updates into your research.
Review Process
Each proposal will be scored on a 100-point scale based on the following criteria:
1. Relevance and Potential Impact (30 Points)
- Alignment with Objectives: How well does the proposed research align with the goal of advancing the Linux Kernel Networking stack?
- Community Benefit: Does the research address a pressing challenge (e.g., AI security, hardware modeling, protocol verification, congestion control)?
- Outcomes: While upstream code patches are not required, does the project outline clear outcomes (e.g., architectural models, proof-of-concept frameworks, performance analyses) that will bring tangible value to the Linux networking ecosystem?
2. Technical Merit and Innovation (30 Points)
- Novelty: Does the project introduce innovative concepts, algorithms, or methodologies rather than merely iterating on established solutions?
- Soundness of Approach: Is the technical methodology clearly defined, rigorous, and appropriate for the problem being solved?
- Awareness of Prior Work: Does the proposal demonstrate a clear understanding of the current state-of-the-art and existing limitations within the Linux kernel?
3. Feasibility and Execution Plan (20 Points)
- Realistic Timeline: Are the proposed milestones, deliverables, and timeline achievable within the 2027–2028 academic year?
- Clarity of Scope: Is the project scope well-defined and adequately sized for a 1-year, $50,000 grant?
- Deliverables: Are the proposed updates (including the two required blog posts) clearly integrated into the project schedule?
4. Investigator and Team Qualifications (10 Points)
- Expertise: Do the Principal Investigator (PI) and any Co-PIs possess the necessary academic background, technical skills, and prior experience to execute the research?
- Collaboration: For multi-institutional or multi-PI proposals, is the division of labor, synergy, and management of the collaboration clearly explained and justified?
5. Budget and Resource Justification (10 Points)
- Appropriate Use of Funds: Is the requested budget clearly itemized and strictly necessary for the completion of the project?
- Cost-Effectiveness: Does the budget represent a good value for the foundation, appropriately balancing direct research costs (e.g., student support, equipment) with any institutional indirect costs?
Timeline
- Call for Proposals Opens: October 15, 2026
- Submission Deadline: February 12, 2027 (11:59 PM AoE)
- Award Notification: April 5, 2027
- Funds Dispersed By: July 31, 2027
- Expected Project Start: August/September 2027