Want to support the open Internet? There's got to be an app for that. Actually, the FCC is hoping to encourage developers to create apps that foster and protect Internet openness with its Open Internet Challenge. Details are posted here.

"This challenge is about using the open Internet to protect the open Internet," said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski in a press release yesterday. The goal, he said, is to foster user-developed applications that shine light on any practice that might be consistent with the free and open Internet.

What exactly is the Open Internet Challenge? The FCC says it seeks to encourage the "development of innovative and functional applications that provide users with information about the extent to which their fixed or mobile broadband Internet services are consistent with the open Internet." Such software tools could, for example, detect whether a broadband provider is interfering with DNS responses, application packet headers or content.

The research component of the challenge seeks academic papers that analyze relevant Internet openness measurements, techniques and data

And what do you get if you win the challenge? Well, it's not a free iPad, but you'll be invited to FCC headquarters in Washington, D.C., to present your work to the commission and be honored with an FCC chairman's reception. And if that doesn't beat a free iPad (or other tablet, let's be fair), winners also will have their apps and research featured on the FCC's website and social media outlets. And – we didn't think this was going to happen given the government's budgetary situation – but the FCC says winners will be reimbursed for authorized travel expenses.

The submission deadline for the challenge is June 1, and a public voting period will run from June 15 through July 15. The winner of the public vote will receive the People's Choice Award. Other award category winners will be chosen by a panel of as-yet-to-be identified judges from within and outside the FCC. Winners will be announced in August.