Open Technology Fund Internet Freedom Fund
The Open Technology Fund gives $10,000 to $900,000 for internet freedom tools and research. Concept notes are accepted on a rolling basis.
The Internet Freedom Fund is the main grant program of the Open Technology Fund (OTF). It supports projects that help people who face censorship and surveillance online. Most funded work is technology development, but applied research, digital security projects and community events can also get support.
Awards are between $10,000 and $900,000 for up to 24 months. OTF says the ideal request is between $50,000 and $200,000 for 6 to 12 months of work. Awards are performance based contracts. Money is paid when agreed deliverables are done, in U.S. dollars, and each project works with an OTF program manager.
In technology, OTF names examples such as new open source circumvention tools, better security or usability for existing open source internet freedom tools, ways to redistribute content behind government firewalls, and quality and security work on core infrastructure projects. Research can look at where and how censorship happens and how to counter it. OTF does not fund basic internet connectivity, technology for general development goals, or legal and policy advocacy.
Individuals aged 18 or older and for profit or nonprofit organizations can apply, whatever their nationality. OTF cannot support applicants in countries under United States trade restrictions or export sanctions. It gives priority to first time applicants, to people under represented in the field, and to areas that get little funding.
Applications are open on a rolling basis in two stages. First you send a short Concept Note through the OTF application system. Strong concept notes are invited to send a full Proposal, which the Advisory Council reviews. OTF says applicants hear back about 6 to 8 weeks after sending a concept note.