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.uk branches out to fund "worthwhile" web
…projects to net a boost from Nominet

By David Meyer

Published: Friday 18 January 2008

The organisation that runs the .uk domain is to set up a foundation devoted to research and educational initiatives in the UK internet industry.

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Nominet has announced the Nominet Foundation will be launched this summer, with initial funding of £5m. According to a Nominet statement, the charitable organisation will promote "education, research and development initiatives".

Lesley Cowley, Nominet's chief executive, said in a statement: "Over the last few months, we have consulted with our members and wider stakeholders and received very positive feedback on the idea of creating the first foundation to fund research and educational initiatives in the UK internet arena."

Cowley added: "At the heart of our decision is the fact that Nominet is a not-for-profit organisation. We believe any surplus income should be used for the benefit of the UK internet community. We now have a growing, successful .uk registry and the ability to fund worthwhile projects. We are extremely excited about the types of work the foundation will be able to fund."

Speaking to silicon.com sister site ZDNet.co.uk, Cowley suggested some types of project Nominet hopes will apply for funding, although the organisation is open to any proposals. Online safety for children is one suggestion, as are community projects to increase internet access and use, and user training and education.

Cowley said academic research projects into security would be particularly welcome applicants, because this is "quite an issue for UK stakeholders". However, she was keen to emphasise the Nominet Foundation would not divert funding from Nominet's work on the UK's internet infrastructure and systems, claiming "this is really the money we have left over having done that".

The planned foundation has already drawn support from Labour MP Alun Michael - now a backbencher, but until recently DTI minister of state for industry - who said it would "strengthen the trust and confidence of users in the online environment and support the industry's role in addressing the needs of users, businesses and society".

The Nominet Foundation's structure is currently being established and projects in search of funding will be invited to submit proposals at a later date.