The Comcast Innovation Fund supports technology and public policy research that advances the quality of the Internet and connectivity services. Established by Comcast Corporation, the fund aims to provide financial support to technologists, academics, and researchers worldwide whose work contributes meaningfully to the Internet ecosystem. Each year, Comcast identifies specific focus areas and updates its funding priorities to reflect emerging challenges and innovations in connectivity, infrastructure, and policy.

For the 2025 grant year, the Comcast Innovation Fund is accepting new applications. Priority areas include End User Application Quality, Wi-Fi Performance, Routing Security, Live Video Streaming, Edge Computing and Caching, FCC Outage Reporting and E911/988 Reporting, Wireless and Mobility, and Quantum Computing-related Cybersecurity and Privacy. While proposals outside these areas may be considered, they are given lower priority. Areas explicitly excluded from funding in 2025 include fintech, NFTs, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, network simulator projects, and new social media platforms.

The fund offers three types of grants: Open-Source Development Grants, General and Targeted Research Grants, and Useful & Interesting Things Grants. Open-Source Development Grants support software development in open-source formats beneficial to Comcast or the broader Internet community. General Research Grants provide unrestricted support for researchers, primarily in academic institutions, while Targeted Research Grants are narrower in scope. The third category funds novel projects that contribute uniquely to Internet advancement, including conferences and hardware innovation.

Applications follow a two-step process introduced in 2025. Initially, applicants submit a Pre-Qualification Form to provide a high-level overview of their proposal. If approved, applicants will receive a link to submit a full application. Comcast reviews these detailed submissions through its Innovation Fund Steering Committee. Proposals are evaluated based on their potential impact, clarity of objectives, implementation plan, and differentiation from existing solutions. Funding ranges between $3,000 and $150,000, and only one-year projects are supported at a time. While multi-year projects may be considered, additional phases require separate applications and are not guaranteed for continued funding.

Funds are distributed annually beginning in January and remain available until exhausted. The fund does not cover indirect costs or administrative overhead, and applicants should consolidate faculty and assistant compensation into a single budget figure. Purchase Orders (POs) are not required, but grantees must submit invoices and execute related documentation. The grant is open globally and not limited to applicants in the United States.

For inquiries, applicants can reach the Comcast Innovation Fund at innovation_fund@comcast.com. While specific application opening or closing dates are not listed, the cycle begins in January each year and closes once funds are depleted. No contact phone number or individual staff names are provided.