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Anthony Andrews, student at Bowie State University

Grants of up to $50,000 USD are available to higher education institutions that seek to inspire their students to advocate, champion and innovate solutions for inclusive digital financial systems.

Program Overview

The Interledger-NextGen Higher Education Program advances research, curriculum development, and hands-on training, equipping students and educators with expertise in open-payment technologies and inclusive digital finance while exploring emerging fintech career pathways. The Interledger Foundation is currently welcoming Letters of Intent (LOIs) from diverse higher education institutions ready to establish or expand programs that provide real-world experience in open-source practices, open-payment technologies, and inclusive digital financial systems.

“We empower the next generation of entrepreneurs with the necessary skills in order to build the applications that are going to power the future.”

–Alan Davids, Senior Lecturer at University of Cape Town

”Interledger is acting like a bridge now in making payments easier. Wherever you are in the world, you can make your payment as if you are sending an email.“

–Anthony Owolabi, Bowie State Student

What You Need to Know

  • Public and private (two to four-year institutions)
  • Institutional systems or consortia of institutions
  • University-affiliated research centers or laboratories

 

Submissions from diverse faculty teams are strongly encouraged. Applying universities must align the proposed initiative with their undergraduate or graduate departments of computer science, information technology, business, sustainable development, or related fields.

  • Enable Faculty Initiatives: Implement forward-thinking programs that promote digital financial literacy and inclusion.
  • Increase Student Engagement: Enhance student interaction with open-payment technologies and digital financial inclusion, with a focus on the Interledger Protocol.
  • Showcase Career Pathways: Highlight careers in open payments, open-source development, sustainable development, and fintech.
  • Download and read the 2025 Grant Application Guidelines.
  • Submit a Letter of Intent via the online platform, Submittable.
  • Applications need to be in before October 3, 2025 at 11:59 pm (ET).
  • Note: ONLY LOIs received via Submittable will be considered.