[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

February 1, 2026

€5,000–€50,000 per project (typical); total pool €396,000; project duration 1–9 months

Supports open source R&D to advance privacy-friendly, transparent digital payment systems building on GNU Taler.

All outcomes must be open access and under a recognized free/open source license.

--- ## Description This open call, funded by the European Commission under the NGI TALER initiative, aims to support research and development projects that advance privacy-preserving, transparent, and resource-efficient digital payment systems. The call specifically focuses on expanding and integrating the GNU Taler platform, a free/libre digital payment system that prioritizes privacy for consumers and transparency for merchants. The initiative seeks to shift internet business models away from advertising and subscriptions by enabling secure, low-cost micro-payments for online publishers and other stakeholders. Projects funded under this call must contribute to the Next Generation Internet (NGI) vision and deliver open access, free and open source results. --- ## Due Dates - February 1, 2026: Full application/submission deadline (single-stage) — 12:00 Brussels time --- ## Funding Amount - Total funding available: €396,000 - Typical project grant: €5,000–€50,000 - Project duration: 1–9 months (flexible) --- ## Eligibility - Open to private individuals and organizations of any type, including independent researchers, academic groups, companies, and non-profits. - Projects must align with the NGI TALER mission and have a clear European dimension. - All deliverables (software, hardware, documentation) must be released under a recognized free and open source license. - Scientific outcomes must be published as open access. - Proposals should be concise (main application max. two pages) and focus on R&D activities. --- ## Application Process - Proposals must be submitted via [https://NLnet.nl/propose](https://nlnet.nl/propose). - Applicants should consult the [guide for applicants](https://nlnet.nl/taler/guideforapplicants) before preparing their submission. - Proposals are evaluated on: - Technical merit (30%) - Strategic relevance and contribution to NGI TALER (40%) - Overall value for money (30%) - Minimum weighted score required: 5.0 out of 7. - Eligible activities include scientific research, open source software/hardware development, security audits, usability improvements, documentation, standardization, community engagement, and project management. --- ## Additional Information - Projects must have a clear link to NGI TALER objectives and contribute to the broader NGI vision. - The call encourages innovative, out-of-the-box ideas that support privacy-friendly digital payments. - Further details, including eligibility and frequently asked questions, are available on the [main call page](https://NLnet.nl/taler). --- ## External Links - [Call details and application portal (EU Funding & Tenders)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/competitive-calls-cs/12563?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=12&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Main call page and applicant resources (NLnet)](https://NLnet.nl/taler) - [Guide for applicants](https://nlnet.nl/taler/guideforapplicants) - [Submission form](https://nlnet.nl/propose) - [GNU Taler technology overview](https://taler.net/) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Details | |----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Enquiries | [European Commission Contact Page](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Phone | +32 2 299 11 11 | | Technical/Programme | [NLnet NGI TALER page](https://NLnet.nl/taler) |

NGI TALER open call (2026-02T) - European Commission

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