Applications for Internet Freedom

The Open Technology Fund welcomes applications in support of projects and people working on open and accessible technology-focused projects that promote human rights, Internet freedom, and open societies. OTF prioritizes projects coming from individuals or organizations who are applying for the first time, identify as underrepresented within the field, and address areas that are underfunded. Projects must fall within one of the following areas:

Technology Development — The development of innovative Internet freedom technology, prototypes, and projects as well as core infrastructure projects that serve the Internet freedom and human rights communities will be supported. OTF seeks to support technology-focused interventions with clear human-centered benefits for Internet freedom.

Applied Research — Research may include identifying how, why, or where censorship is happening, studying specific Internet freedom tools and ways to improve them, advancing knowledge around what types of content censors target, or assessing threats to Internet freedom in a specific geographic context.

Digital Security — OTF aims to fill missing digital security capacity needs for on-the-ground organizations promoting human rights, focusing on those fighting to increase free expression and Internet freedom. OTF also seeks to support efforts that increase the developer communities’ understanding of the challenges that organizations and users are facing on the ground when maintaining digital security strategies or using their tools.

Community Convenings — Funding will be provided to empower Internet freedom communities to become stronger and vibrant by focusing on cultivating deeper trust relationships, improving knowledge share and collaboration, and supporting and diversifying the next generation of leaders. The efforts supported by the fund are intended to bring in new voices not well represented in current conversations and help create collaboration and intersectionality.

OTF does not have any requirements regarding an applicant’s status — whether for-profit, nonprofit, or a single individual, or located inside or outside the United States — so long as the proposed effort fits within OTF’s mission, goals, and focus areas. Concept notes are accepted on a rolling basis. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal.

See the Open Technology Fund website for complete program guidelines, eligibility criteria, information about previous recipients, and application instructions.