Applications for a new community grants round to support internet research in New Zealand are now open, says InternetNZ.

The Research Round will see InternetNZ make available $100,000, set up to help fund individuals or organisations conducting research projects that can inform the development, availability, use or benefit of the internet in New Zealand.

The organisations will also invest $15,000 as part of its Conference round. This money will go towards helping the New Zealand internet community participate in relevant conferences and events related to the development of the internet for New Zealand, InternetNZ says.

InternetNZ chief executive Jordan Carter says the community grants will help the internet community contribute to building a better internet across New Zealand.

"The money will help our internet community to learn best practices from across the world and dive into important research that could improve the internet for all New Zealanders,” he says.

"InternetNZ continues to provide community grants each year and it's a privilege to be able help grow our country's knowledge in the digital world.

InternetNZ has two community grant rounds per year. The first is the above which includes research and conference attendance grants. The second, which was funded earlier this year, included both projects and conference attendance grants.