Amateur Radio Digital Communications

What they fund

radioamateurstudentscommunicationsequipmentrepeaterdigitalclub

Funding pattern

What this funder pays for, at what size, and how to position adjacent work. Read from their filings, with every number checked against the record.

Top recipients

Repeat recipients are the strongest signal of whether a funder has an open door or quietly re-funds the same organizations.

• Arrl Foundation7 grants · $2.7M
• Internet Archive4 grants · $1.2M
• Software Freedom Conservancy9 grants · $1.1M
• Society of Women Engineers4 grants · $1.0M
• Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (Darc) Ev4 grants · $778,315
• Seti Institute4 grants · $583,142
• Rhizomatica Communications2 grants · $546,211
• Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Corporation2 grants · $422,300
• University of Victoria1 grant · $408,239
• Hampton University2 grants · $404,548

Giving over time

Grant history

The 100 largest of 390 grants.

• $889,405

  Internet Archive · San Francisco, CA · 2022

  To build the digital library of amateur radio & communications (dlarc), an online, open-access resource that preserves the vital resources -- past, present, and future -- that document the history of amateur radio and c… read allTo build the digital library of amateur radio & communications (dlarc), an online, open-access resource that preserves the vital resources -- past, present, and future -- that document the history of amateur radio and communications. less
• $592,322

  Arrl Foundation · Newington, CT · 2023

  Grants will be allocated for club projects at three distinct levels to enable both smaller, less established, and larger, more established clubs to participate in the grant program.

• $507,500

  Arrl Foundation · Newington, CT · 2025

  Final payment of $507,500 for three total years to fund the ardc scholarship. Total request is $1,522,500 over three years.

• $507,500

  Arrl Foundation · Newington, CT · 2024

  #1312 second payment of $507,500 for three total years to fund the ardc scholarship. Total request is $1,522,500 over three years.

• $507,500

  Arrl Foundation · Newington, CT · 2023

  Seeks a $507,500 grant per year for three years to fund the ardc scholarship. Total request is $1,522,500 over three years.

• $500,000

  Arrl Foundation · Newington, CT · 2022

  Scholarships for youth attending college who have an interest in amateur radio.

• $420,000

  Software Freedom Conservancy · Brooklyn, NY · 2023

  Bring open-source high frequency digital voice mainstream by improving speech quality of current systems and build new digital voice modes.

• $408,239

  University of Victoria · 2024

  #1358 university of victoria project to create a modular cube satellite radio to improve current radio communications.

• $384,000

  Antarikchya Pratisthan Nepal (Space Foundation Nepal) · 2023

  Use satellite as a tool to improve lives of segregated communities in nepal, increase amateur radio involvement in both nepal and abroad while making significant contributions in open source hardware, software and ai.

• $365,000

  Society of Women Engineers · Chicago, IL · 2023

  Provides financial assistance to those who identify as a female/woman and are studying in a community college, baccalaureate, or graduate program in preparation for careers in engineering, technology, and computer scien… read allProvides financial assistance to those who identify as a female/woman and are studying in a community college, baccalaureate, or graduate program in preparation for careers in engineering, technology, and computer science. less
• $365,000

  Society of Women Engineers · Fargo, ND · 2022

  Continuation of 2021 programs - 30 scholarships, longitudinal study on how to support more women in becoming engineers, leadership training, community college to 4-year college support for engineers.

• $319,110

  Internet Archive · San Francisco, CA · 2025

  Expand dlarc by digitizing more materials and increasing outreach to preserve and provide free access to amateur radio resources.

• $319,000

  Software Freedom Conservancy · Brooklyn, NY · 2023

  Utilize novel litigation and administrative action strategies to gain release of complete, corresponding source (ccs) for copylefted works on strategically selected embedded computing products.

• $315,123

  Associated Universities · Washington, DC · 2022

  Introduce two cohorts of students to radio technologies and develop a scalable, hands-on curriculum.

• $313,970

  Asociacion Civil Altermundi · 2024

  #1583 aims to strengthen community mesh networks, aiming to improve communication access and reliability for communities through innovative solutions.

• $311,166

  Rhizomatica Communications · Philadelphia, PA · 2023

  The development of free software and hardware solutions to provide a powerful hf telecommunication system

• $299,959

  Deep Space Exploration Society · Colorado Springs, CO · 2022

  Restoring and operating a 60-foot dish antenna for radio astronomy and amateur radio experimenting

• $296,760

  Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Corporation · Tipp City, OH · 2022

  Produce an open source design for a low-cost universal radio test instrument.

• $294,000

  Altermundi · 2022

  Develop more agency for communities by expanding the tools available to them while at the same time drastically reducing the number of low level software problems that are specially challenging for them to deal with.

• $286,419

  Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (Darc) Ev · 2022

  Extend existing open source projects in the domain of gsm/gprs to ensure they can be used to operate both the base station (bts) and phone (ms) side inside amateur radio bands.

• $263,011

  Seti Institute · Mountain View, CA · 2022

  Make a number of improvements to gnu radio that represent both short and long-term enhancements to the capabilities and ease of use of gnu radio with an emphasis on increasing accessibility and maintainability of the so… read allMake a number of improvements to gnu radio that represent both short and long-term enhancements to the capabilities and ease of use of gnu radio with an emphasis on increasing accessibility and maintainability of the software. less
• $250,945

  Central Michigan Amateur Network · Fenton, MI · 2022

  To replace 3.4ghz links and build out communications gear at their sites across the state of michigan.

• $250,000

  Colorado School of Mines · Golden, CO · 2022

  Establish a new electromagnetic field imaging center at the colorado school of mines, including equipment purchases and hiring a student phd researcher.

• $250,000

  Native Forward Scholars Fund · Albuquerque, NM · 2022

  Provide native scholars access to communication and stem-related fields, including radio communications , wireless engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, data communications, networking, mechanical/mater… read allProvide native scholars access to communication and stem-related fields, including radio communications , wireless engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, data communications, networking, mechanical/material science, emergency management communications, mathematics and physics. less
• $236,400

  Kyushu Institute of Technology · 2023

  Build and operate a 2u cubesat. Carry out two competitions: (1) aprs mission payload competition and (2) aprs ground terminal competition. Also demonstrate a new low-cost uhf transceiver in orbit.

• $235,045

  Rhizomatica Communications · Philadelphia, PA · 2025

  Finishes the open source mercury hf modem and makes the full hermes digital hf system easier to install and use.

• $229,323

  Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (Darc) Ev · 2022

  Supports software developer time to further the open source m17 project.

• $224,841

  Allina Health Foundation On Behalf of Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institut · Mail Route, MN · 2024

  #1446 supports the handiham project for three years by purchasing equipment and adding program staff. The handiham program enables people with disabilities to participate in amateur radio.

• $211,971

  University of Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, PA · 2023

  Create programmable backscatter radios that generate different types of protocol-compliant signals with low power consumption.

• $205,810

  Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (Darc) Ev · 2022

  Current issues need to be fixed and a recent linux kernel should provide full ax.25 support again. Common tools like ax25-apps, ax25-tools and libax25 need to be upgraded to work with the current linux architecture. Sta… read allCurrent issues need to be fixed and a recent linux kernel should provide full ax.25 support again. Common tools like ax25-apps, ax25-tools and libax25 need to be upgraded to work with the current linux architecture. Standard tools like ""ip and ""ss"" need adaptions to support ax.25. less
• $203,800

  Hampton University · Chicago, IL · 2023

  Nine scholarships to a prestigious historically black university.

• $201,090

  University of Leeds · 2024

  #1308 support a student throughout their research towards a phd degree in computer science at the university of leeds. The phd research topic explores the synergy between artificial intelligence (ai), machine learning (… read all#1308 support a student throughout their research towards a phd degree in computer science at the university of leeds. The phd research topic explores the synergy between artificial intelligence (ai), machine learning (ml) and real-time distributed (rtd) systems, and will use wireless communication and amateur radio as motivating examples and experimental setup. less
• $200,748

  Hampton University · Chicago, IL · 2022

  Scholarship assistance to fund four [4] students for one [1] full academic year and assist with numerous students gaps in tuition and associated costs for attendance at hampton university

• $200,000

  Software Freedom Conservancy · Brooklyn, NY · 2022

  Provide 100 internships for free and open source software developers from underrepresented backgrounds.

• $196,241

  The University of Scranton · Scranton, PA · 2022

  The purchase and installation of a complete amateur radio station for the w3usr university of scranton amateur radio club.

• $194,698

  Seti Institute · Mountain View, CA · 2024

  #1592 enhance curriculum by adding hands-on labs that incorporate educational principles and radio communication technique.

• $183,229

  Highline Amateur Radio Club · Seahurst, WA · 2022

  Develop digital radio site infrastructure at 2 locations. Deploy pre-installed vhf/uhf and mesh antennas at key community facilities. Deploy dmr, and winlink+vara radio equipment at the key community facilities.

• $180,000

  Open Collective Europe (On Behalf of Multimode Digital Voice Modem (Mmdvm) · 2024

  #1578 continue full-time development of its open-source digital voice modem, which supports multiple amateur radio modes.

• $175,000

  Software Freedom Conservancy · Brooklyn, NY · 2025

  Continuation of gpl compliance and enforcement.

• $170,356

  Pleasant Valley Telecommunications Advisory Council-Pvtac · Camarillo, CA · 2025

  Establish microwave backbone and mixed-mode vhf/uhf simulcast system to replace aging infrastructure to improve emergency communications.

• $158,924

  Cal Poly Pomona Bronco Space With a Fiscal Sponsorship From Cal Poly Pomo · Pomona, CA · 2024

  #1398 student-led university organization located at cal poly pomona aims to democratize space access. This grant funds a cubesat mission including launch costs.

• $154,000

  Pleasant Valley Amateur Radio Club · Camarillo, CA · 2022

  Extending repeater system to all of ventura county and existing sites significantly improved and hardened. Some funding will be allocated for spare equipment to cover outages.

• $152,250

  Calnet Amateur Radio Group · Campbell, CA · 2023

  Equipment upgrade and club growth

• $150,000

  Software Freedom Conservancy · Brooklyn, NY · 2024

  #1391 the sfc leverages copyleft licensing for the advancement of software freedom. This grant funds copyleft and gpl enforcement efforts.

• $150,000

  Open Collective Foundation · Covina, CA · 2023

  Creating a system where repeater operators could easily monitor and configure a group of repeaters remotely

• $147,144

  San Francisco Wireless Emergency Mesh Inc - Bay Area Mesh · San Francisco, CA · 2022

  To build a wireless backbone between multiple rural counties within northern eastern california, otherwise known as the high sierras. The intention of the network is to build a common backbone for multiple emergency ser… read allTo build a wireless backbone between multiple rural counties within northern eastern california, otherwise known as the high sierras. The intention of the network is to build a common backbone for multiple emergency services, public life safety, public education, and amateur radio users. less
• $146,200

  Society of Women Engineers · Chicago, IL · 2025

  Fund scholarships, research, and education programs that support women in engineering and technology, including 35 scholarships in total.

• $142,678

  Portland State University Foundation · Portland, OR · 2023

  Deliver a fully working and documented uniclogs v2 prototype, with digital s band transmission and reception capabilities to amateur radio satellites, and with capability for future expansion.

• $130,000

  Society of Women Engineers · Chicago, IL · 2024

  #1534 supports scholarships and educational supports, including a new scholarships for students in india.

• $126,564

  Healthcare Community Amateur Radio Club · Birmingham, AL · 2022

  Provide 20 radio kits and pre-position them across alabama, with arrl state staff member who are deployable with fema type 3 & 4 teams to anywhere in the state or other disaster areas.

• $125,540

  Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Corporation · Tipp City, OH · 2022

  Design support for de-mk-ii including float licenses for development tools magnetopihat magnetometer build.

• $124,394

  University of Cape Town · 2024

  #1509 a smartsdn implementation for qos management a community network in south africa, done as a research project through a university.

• $116,336

  Open Collective Europe · 2023

  To build an independent 5ghz backbone ip network for public amateur radio services.

• $110,107

  Teachers in Space · New York, NY · 2025

  Train teachers to use amateur radio technology to track satellites, communicate with spacecraft, and teach students about its role in aerospace communications.

• $109,648

  University of California Santa Barbara · Santa Barbara, CA · 2022

  To study usage of a community network that provides internet access to over 60,000 residents in cape town, south africa.

• $101,303

  Wx5fwd Skywarn Team · Haslet, TX · 2023

  Replacement of existing analog only radios with modern equipment capable of remote control and addition of digital capabilities

• $100,000

  Native Forward Scholars Fund · Albuquerque, NH · 2024

  #1385 scholarships focused on empowering native american students pursuing higher education in steam fields, particularly in radio communications and related disciplines.

• $99,723

  York County Amateur Radio Society Club · Rock Hill, SC · 2023

  Teacher training, school clubs, remote hf access.

• $99,562

  Portland State University Foundation · Portland, OR · 2023

  Study the potential for fd wireless in the uhf amateur band.

• $99,393

  Seti Institute · Mountain View, CA · 2023

  Create practical training in digital signal processing and radio communication for students in community colleges.

• $98,229

  Fondation Open Collective Europe (Behalf Hameenlinnan Radioamatoorit Ry) · 2025

  Improve the stability and release quality of hamlib through the development of an automated testing framework, and to expand hamlib to support modern network controlled and software defined radio transceivers.

• $93,795

  Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (Dba Amsat) · Washington, DC · 2022

  Design and construction of three space frames with fixed and deployable solar panels for an upcoming series of 3u satellites

• $92,917

  Fondation Open Collective Europe (On Behalf of Librecube) · 2025

  Creates an open source, fully redundant vhf/uhf communications board for cubesats and educational space systems.

• $92,000

  Marin County Sheriffs Office Races-Acs Unit · San Rafael, CA · 2022

  Develop an aredn mesh backbone in marin and sonoma counties, including maintenance and administration.

• $88,678

  Information Age Learning Center (On Behalf of Computer Deconstruction Labor · Wall Township, NJ · 2025

  Funding for a makerspace to upgrade its antennas, communications systems, and facility infrastructure so it can expand public programs and support more radio and technology activities.

• $88,000

  Fondation Open Collective Europe (On Behalf of the Radio Society of Sri Lan · 2025

  Strengthen emergency preparedness in sri lanka by deploying solar-powered radio stations and training communities in amateur radio.

• $85,320

  Radio Scouting · Winter Garden, FL · 2023

  Stem and amateur radio education for students. International.

• $85,000

  Washington Women in Need · Kirkland, WA · 2022

  Provide scholarship funding for women studying stem majors.

• $84,362

  Boeing Employee'S Amateur Radio Society · Seattle, WA · 2023

  Refurbish a repeater. Upgrade by adding analog and digital voice communications channels, and by digital networking.

• $83,000

  Ricomu · Warwick, RI · 2022

  Deploy a statewide ip-based rf mesh network that is completely non-internet dependent, with a companion network of ip-linked yasu fusion digital voice repeaters.

• $80,438

  Aircraft Carrier Hornet Foundation · Alameda, CA · 2024

  #1317 restoration and modernization project of the ship's radio equipment and facilities to continue its work in amateur radio promotion, education, and historical preservation.

• $79,280

  Scientific Instrumentation Center Adventist University of Chile · 2024

  #1460 funds a three year project to study the effects of the atmosphere/space weather on radio/satellite communications. The project will involve students across the country for outreach and education.

• $77,000

  Estero Radio Club · San Luis Obispo, CA · 2025

  Upgrade and expand the san luis obispo (slo) aredn backbone mesh network with modern 802.11ac radios, rf backbone links, and battery backups.

• $75,000

  Washington Women in Need · Kirkland, WA · 2023

  Scholarship funding

• $73,920

  Csuci Amateur Radio Interest Group · Camarillo, CA · 2023

  Adding antenna infrastructure, establish a radio repeater site, and acquire gear for get on the air activities for public outreach.

• $73,584

  Radio Amateur Du-of Quebec Inc (On Behalf La Federation Des Clubs Radioamat · 2025

  Repairing, upgrading, and expanding a province wide linked repeater network by replacing aging equipment, restoring damaged sites, and adding new repeaters.

• $72,382

  Healthcare Community Amateur Radio Club · Birmingham, AL · 2022

  Provide winlink remote mail servers across most of alabama

• $72,000

  American Indian Science and Engineering Society · Albuquerque, NM · 2025

  Provide 12 undergraduate scholarships to indigenous students pursuing stem fields related to amateur radio and digital communications.

• $72,000

  American Indian Science and Engineering Society · Albuquerque, NM · 2024

  #1593 provide scholarships and support for twelve students pursuing stem degrees related to amateur radio in the 2025-2026 academic year.

• $72,000

  Aises · Albuquerque, NM · 2023

  Scholars will receive support throughout the year including; student development and leadership training opportunities, mentorship, access to internship opportunities, and additional support services.

• $72,000

  American Indian Science and Engineering Society · Albuquerque, NM · 2022

  Provide twelve $2,500 scholarships and provide leadership training opportunities, mentorship, access to internship opportunities, etc.

• $68,435

  Oesterreichischer Versuchssenderverband - Dachverband (Austrian Radio Amate · 2022

  Developing and deploying a new digital transmission procedure allowing high speed data communication in sub-ghz frequency bands with the purpose to provide a last mile access to hamnet.

• $67,800

  Allina Health Foundation On Behalf of Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institut · Minneapolis, MN · 2023

  Provide access to amateur radio for people with disabilities and chronic health issues offering online classes and providing participants with radios to work on; including radios that are accessible for members who are … read allProvide access to amateur radio for people with disabilities and chronic health issues offering online classes and providing participants with radios to work on; including radios that are accessible for members who are blind or visually impaired. less
• $67,750

  Community Foundation of the Ozarks · Willard, MO · 2023

  Repeater upgrade to improve network reach

• $64,087

  East Tennessee Repeater Association · Loudon, TN · 2022

  Additional funds to support project #249.

• $62,775

  Fondation Open Collective Europe (On Behalf of Wildfiremesh) · 2025

  Deploy meshtastic nodes for wildfire fighters in argentina, improving off grid digital communications when cellular and traditional radio systems fail.

• $61,115

  Military Heritage Museum · Punta Gorda, FL · 2023

  Amateur radio history exhibit.

• $60,492

  African Community Housing and Development · Seatac, WA · 2022

  Providing a hands-on electrical engineering summer program for african diaspora youth culminating in students receiving a ham radio license.

• $60,000

  Alberta Digital Radio Communications Society · 2025

  Develop a high speed ofdm-based digital modem for the 400 mhz amateur radio band, enabling significantly higher data rates and modern digital linking capabilities.

• $59,781

  East Tennessee Repeater Association · Loudon, TN · 2024

  #1374 repeater system upgraded and expansion to service a large community and provide emergency communications support.

• $58,067

  Cascade Amateur Radio Society · Tigard, OR · 2024

  #1577 installation and maintenance of arden in underserved rural communities outside portland.

• $56,763

  Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (Darc) Ev · 2022

  Youth summer camp support.

• $55,456

  Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club E V On Behalf of Online Amateur Radio Communi · 2024

  #1414 expanding new packet radio capabilities in the uk and ireland.

• $52,600

  Science Is Elementary · Mountain View, CA · 2022

  Produce a book, radio kits, and host an on-site field trip for young students.

• $51,945

  Cal Poly Pomona Foundation · Pomona, CA · 2024

  Direction finding from aerial platforms with amateur

• $50,090

  Deep Space Exploration Society · Colorado Springs, CO · 2024

  #1529 this group focuses on deep space communications and will conduct an experiment as proof of concept for earth-venus-earth communications.

• $48,549

  Tobb Economy and Technology University · 2024

  #1444 supports the creation of an amateur radio club on university campus that will facilitate sdr based laboratory projects.

• $46,800

  Ece Repeater Group · Bonny Doon, CA · 2022

  Construction of an amateur radio communications site.

• $46,272

  Southeast Community Development Corporation · Bell Gardens, CA · 2025

  Provides hands-on stem education with fm radio and soldering kits to amateur radio education.

• $46,125

  Merrimack Valley Amateur Radio Association · Auburn, NH · 2023

  Extend an rf network to additional sites.

View all 390 grants →