Error 406: [Netstalgia] Not Acceptable

Error 406: [Netstalgia] Not Acceptable is an open call for grants and an online exhibition, run by Error 417 Expectation Failed — an independent foundation dedicated to radically contemporary internet art and net-based practices.

This round focuses on the theme of "netstalgia": the organisers are looking for projects that resist romanticised or depoliticised nostalgia for early internet culture, and instead engage critically with how internet histories might point toward more equitable digital futures. Strong proposals will grapple with questions like: what protocols, networks, archives, and shared conditions are needed to build the internet we actually want?

The call is open worldwide to artists, curators, collectives, exhibition spaces, online platforms, and software or hardware developers. Proposals from historically underrepresented people are strongly encouraged.

Awards

Grants are awarded on a sliding scale from €1,500 to €7,000, based on your project's needs. No final financial reports, receipts, or accounting are required. Selected projects also receive mentorship from the jury — Chia Amisola, Olia Lialina, Vladan Joler, Peter Sunde, and Error 417 — and completed works will be featured in an online exhibition at the end of 2026.

Eligibility notes

• You may submit one individual application and one separate application as part of a collective.
• Projects must not be already fully completed at the time of application.

Application requirements

• Project description engaging with the theme (max 250 words)
• Methodology and timeline
• Exhibition concept (how the work manifests online and/or physically)
• Grant amount requested
• Optional: CV and portfolio for additional context

Important technical note: The application portal will NOT send a confirmation email, and you cannot view your completed form after submitting. Save a PDF of your application using your browser's print function before hitting submit.

Key dates

• Application deadline: 4 May 2026, 23:59 CEST
• Jury decisions notified: Mid-June 2026
• Completed work deadline: 30 October 2026
• Online exhibition: End of 2026