NGI TALER open call (2025-10T)

The NGI TALER open call is an initiative under the Next Generation Internet (NGI) framework that aims to promote the development of privacy-preserving and libre digital payment systems. Funded by the European Commission and the Swiss State, the total budget for this call is 396,000 euros, with individual project grants ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 euros. The application window opens on August 1, 2025, and closes on October 1, 2025, at 12:00 Brussels time.

The opportunity is open to a wide array of applicants including private individuals, startups, SMEs, large corporations, universities, research institutions, nonprofits, government bodies, and NGOs. There are no specific consortium requirements, allowing single applicants to submit proposals. The geographic eligibility emphasizes a clear European dimension, though the call is accessible globally, particularly targeting entities from EU member states and Switzerland.

Target sectors include ICT, finance, cybersecurity, and areas specific to digital payment methods, emphasizing open-source software and integration into free and open-source applications. The project stages encompass research, development, and validation phases aimed at fostering new technological advancements.

Proposal evaluations will be conducted in a single-stage assessment process, focusing on three criteria: technical merit (30% weight), strategic relevance (40% weight), and value for money (30% weight). To be selected, projects must achieve a total weighted score exceeding 5.0 out of 7. There is no co-funding requirement mentioned, making it financially accessible.

The call not only seeks to enhance existing functionalities of the GNU Taler system but also supports innovative research and development activities in areas such as software engineering, security audits, documentation, user experience improvements, and community outreach efforts. All outcomes from funded projects must be openly published, ensuring accessibility and engagement with broader audiences.

The overarching goal is to create a more trustworthy, inclusive, and open digital payment landscape that empowers users and promotes economic sustainability. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the submission portal for detailed guidelines and requirements before preparing their proposals.

The NGI TALER open call (2025-10T) is a funding opportunity within the Next Generation Internet (NGI) initiative, specifically focusing on the development and rollout of privacy-preserving and libre digital payment methods. The call is funded by the European Commission and the Swiss State. It aims to support research and development efforts that align with the goals of the NGI TALER project, which builds upon the GNU Taler system.

The opening date for submissions is August 1, 2025, and the deadline for submission is October 1, 2025, at 12:00 Brussels time. The expected duration of participation in projects is flexible, ranging from 1 to 12 months. The total funding available for this call is 396,000 euros. The project acronym is TALER, and the full name of the EU-funded project is Taxable Anonymous Libre Electronic Reserves. The grant agreement number is 101135475. The relevant topic is HORIZON-CL4-2023-HUMAN-01-12 - Pilots for the Next Generation Internet (IA).

Projects can be submitted through the website https://NLnet.nl/propose. Applicants should consult this page and the guide for applicants before preparing their proposal. The call is open to anyone, including private individuals and organizations of any type. Project proposals should align with the NGI vision and have research and development as their primary objective. Proposals should be complete, concise, and no longer than the equivalent of two pages for the main application. A clear European dimension is required.

Proposals will be evaluated based on a 7-point scale, considering three criteria: technical merit (30% weight), strategic relevance to the Next Generation Internet and expected contribution to the goals of NGI TALER (40% weight), and overall value for money (30% weight). To be selected, projects must achieve a total weighted score above 5.0 out of 7. The key objective is to deliver potential breakthrough contributions to the objectives of NGI TALER and the introduction of privacy-preserving and libre digital payment methods at internet scale.

The following types of activities are eligible for financial support, provided they are cost-effective and directly relevant to NGI TALER's topics and objectives:

Scientific research
Design and development of open-source software and open hardware
Validation or constructive inquiry into existing or novel technical solutions
Software engineering aimed at adapting to new usage areas or improving software quality
Formal security proofs, security audits, setup, and design of software testing and continuous integration
Documentation for researchers, developers, and end-users, including educational materials
Standardization activities, including membership fees of standards bodies
Understanding user requirements and improving usability/inclusive design
Necessary measures in support of broader deployability, such as packaging
Participation in technical, developer, and community events like hackathons, IETF, W3C, RIPE meetings, FOSDEM, etc., including admission fees, travel, and subsistence costs
Other activities relevant to adhering to robust software development and deployment practices
Project management
Out-of-pocket costs for infrastructure essential to achieving the above

All scientific outcomes must be published as open access, and any novel software and hardware created must be published under a recognized free and open-source license in its entirety.

Additional information, including the complete call text, proposal guidelines, and an FAQ, can be found on the main call page: https://NLnet.nl/taler. The official project website is https://ngi.taler.net.

The NGI TALER project aims to roll out a new electronic payment system that benefits various stakeholders, including individuals, merchants, banks, financial authorities, auditors, and anti-corruption researchers. It builds on the GNU Taler system, which offers privacy for payers while ensuring transparency for sellers. GNU Taler facilitates micro-payments at low overhead, enabling alternative internet business models beyond advertising or subscriptions. It also aims to reduce transaction fees and extend online payment access to underbanked populations.

15% of the NGI TALER budget is allocated to open calls to fund free and open-source efforts aligned with the project's topics and approach. Contributions are sought to enhance GNU Taler, develop auxiliary tools, improve user experience, integrate with FOSS applications and open standards (e.g., enabling P2P micro-payments in instant messengers, social media platforms, or video conferencing tools), and improve infrastructure components like merchant backends.

The program will award up to 396,000 euros in small to medium-sized R&D grants for technology commons that empower users and establish a new generation of privacy-friendly digital payment systems. The program runs until November 2026. Project proposals should request between 5,000 and 50,000 euros. Successful projects may be eligible for scaling up through other NLnet-funded programs like the NGI0 Commons Fund.

The call encourages independent researchers and developers to contribute to building a sustainable and open economy. It welcomes innovative ideas that contribute to the topic, even if they are unconventional, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.

For those interested in learning more about Taler or having questions, resources include the GNU Taler technology, the main NGI Taler site, and the GNU Taler Integration Community Hub.

In summary, this is a call for proposals to develop and enhance privacy-preserving digital payment systems, specifically focusing on the GNU Taler system. The call seeks to fund projects that contribute to a more open, trustworthy, and reliable internet by supporting research, development, and integration efforts in the realm of digital payments. The goal is to create a system where reliable, low-cost, secure, and resource-efficient payments are the norm, and users have control over their transactions. The funding is intended to support projects that range from scientific research to software development, standardization, and community engagement, all with the aim of fostering a more democratic and sustainable digital economy.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity is open to anyone, including private individuals and organizations of any type.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism is a grant, specifically small to medium-size R&D grants. It is cascade funding.

Consortium Requirement: A single applicant is sufficient, although the possibility of collaboration is not explicitly excluded.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The call has a clear European dimension, and it is funded by the European Commission and the Swiss State. Therefore, applicants from the EU and Switzerland are eligible. The Next Generation Internet (NGI) initiative generally involves European entities, so it is likely that eligibility extends to entities within the EU and potentially associated countries.

Target Sector: The program targets the digital economy, specifically focusing on privacy-preserving and libre digital payment methods. This includes areas such as: open source software and hardware, software engineering, security, standardization, usability, and deployment of digital payment systems. It also includes integration into FOSS applications and open standards, such as P2P micropayments in instant messengers, open social media platforms, or video conferencing tools, and improvements to infrastructure components like merchant backends.

Mentioned Countries: Switzerland. The call has a clear European dimension, so EU member states are implicitly included.

Project Stage: The expected project stage is research and development (R&D). The call aims to fund additional free and open source efforts, implying projects that are not yet fully developed or commercialized. The activities that qualify for financial support include scientific research, design and development, validation, software engineering, security audits, and documentation, all of which are typical of R&D phases.

Funding Amount: The funding range is between 5,000 and 50,000 euros per project. The total funding available for the open call is 396,000 euros.

Application Type: The application type is an open call.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of R&D grants.

Application Stages: The application process is single-stage.

Success Rates: The success rate is not explicitly mentioned, but the text indicates that budgets are limited, suggesting that the competition may be high.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is not explicitly mentioned as a requirement.

Summary:

The NGI TALER open call is an opportunity for individuals and organizations to receive funding for research and development projects related to privacy-preserving and libre digital payment systems. Funded by the European Commission and the Swiss State, this initiative aims to reshape the digital payment landscape by supporting projects that align with the goals of the NGI TALER project and the broader Next Generation Internet initiative. The call seeks to foster an open, trustworthy, and reliable internet for all, with a focus on empowering users and securing democratic ownership of digital societies.

Projects can range from contributing new capabilities to GNU Taler itself, building auxiliary tools, improving user experience, developing integrations into FOSS applications and open standards, or enhancing infrastructure components. The call encourages innovative and out-of-the-box ideas that can contribute to the topic, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.

The funding available ranges from 5,000 to 50,000 euros per project, with a total of 396,000 euros allocated for this open call. The application process is single-stage, with proposals evaluated based on technical merit, strategic relevance, and value for money. Project results must be made available under a free and open source license. The deadline for submissions is October 1, 2025. This is a chance to contribute to the future of digital payments and help build a sustainable and open economy.