Linux Australia Grants Program 2026
Linux Australia offers project and community grants from a $30k pool for open source work in Australia and New Zealand. Apply by 15 November 2026.
The Linux Australia Grants Program 2026 supports free and open source systems and communities in Australia and New Zealand. The total funding available across all grants and sponsorships this year is $30k, offered as finances allow.
There are two categories. Project Grants fund open source, open data, open government, open education, open hardware and open culture projects. They can cover costs such as hardware, bandwidth, hosting, mailing lists, advertising for an event, bulk orders for user groups and support costs for a community project. Community Grants help groups pay for meetings and gatherings, for example room hire, catering, meeting infrastructure and promotion. Reasonable labour or professional service costs can be part of an application.
Applicants must be members of Linux Australia. Read the Guidelines for Submissions first, then log in to the Linux Australia website and use the form on the grants page. Questions can go to the council at council@linux.org.au.
Applications close at 23:59 on 15 November 2026, anywhere on earth. After an application is submitted, a two week community consultation opens. The council then reviews the application and the community feedback at its next scheduled meeting and sends the outcome soon after.
Quick answers
How much does it pay?
$30k total across all grants and sponsorships in 2026. It is a grant and takes no equity.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is 15 November 2026.
Who can apply?
Members of Linux Australia with projects or community groups that support free and open source systems and communities in Australia and New Zealand. It is limited to applicants in Oceania, AU, NZ.
How do I apply?
Through the official page at linux.org.au. The link is at the top of this page.
Do funded results need an open licence?
Yes. Everything made with the help of a grant should be released under a suitable open technology or documentation licence.
Can the work continue after the closing date?
Yes. Funded work may continue past 15 November, but most projects should aim to finish by the end of 2026.
Are event sponsorship requests covered?
Yes. Linux Australia handles sponsorship requests for events as project grants.