Internet Freedom Fund

The Internet Freedom Fund is the primary funding opportunity through which the Open Technology Fund supports innovative global internet freedom projects. The fund is intended to advance efforts that help people affected by censorship or surveillance in repressive environments. Supported work is primarily focused on technology development and implementation, while the fund can also support applied research, improvements to the digital security ecosystem, and events or community convenings. Open Technology Fund states that it prioritizes applicants who are applying for the first time, applicants who identify as under-represented within the internet freedom field, and projects addressing areas that are underfunded. Technology development support can extend from the prototype phase through deployment and can also support core infrastructure serving internet freedom and human rights communities. Examples include creating new open-source circumvention technologies, improving the security, usability, or adaptability of existing open-source internet freedom technologies, developing methods for redistributing content behind government firewalls, developing next-generation tools, improving security standards and quality assurance for core infrastructure, and improving the accessibility or usability of existing projects. The fund also identifies applied research, digital security ecosystem improvements, and convenings as eligible areas of work. Certain activities are outside the fund's normal remit. Open Technology Fund generally does not support basic internet connectivity, except in limited circumstances involving politically instigated internet shutdowns. It does not support Information and Communication Technologies for Development projects focused on using technology for broader societal development, such as general civic technology, service delivery, equitable technology access, or digital literacy. The fund also does not support projects focused on legal analysis or policy advocacy, except for narrowly focused technical research that can inform those efforts. These restrictions reflect the fund's focus on technology-centered responses to censorship and surveillance. Awards range from 10000 to 900000 US dollars and may support projects lasting up to 24 months. Open Technology Fund indicates that ideal applicants request between 50000 and 200000 US dollars for efforts lasting between 6 and 12 months. Awards are structured as performance-based contracts signed directly with the applicant or applicants. Funding is dispersed according to completion of stated objectives, activities, and deliverables under the schedule established in the contract. Payments are made in US dollars and must comply with applicable local laws, regulations, and ethics rules. No applicant cost share or matching contribution is stated as a requirement. Individuals and organizations, including for-profit and nonprofit organizations, may apply regardless of age, nationality, creed, or sex. However, Open Technology Fund cannot support applicants in countries subject to applicable United States trade restrictions or export sanctions as determined by the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control. Applications use a two-stage process. Stage 1 requires submission of a Concept Note through Open Technology Fund's online application system. Applicants whose Concept Notes are considered highly competitive are invited to Stage 2, where they submit a Proposal expanding on the project idea. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so the source provides no fixed application opening or closing date. Applications are evaluated for whether the proposed effort fits Open Technology Fund's remit, addresses an existing or emerging problem with real-world applicability, is cost effective, is sustainable beyond the period of Open Technology Fund support, and complements existing efforts. Competitive Proposals receive final review from the Internet Freedom Fund Advisory Council, an independent voluntary group of subject-matter experts in fields and issues relevant to internet freedom. Successful applicants are paired with an Open Technology Fund program manager who oversees monitoring and evaluation throughout the contract, using predetermined metrics, deliverables, and goals established in the proposal. Applicants can expect to hear back approximately 6 to 8 weeks after submitting a Concept Note. The source provides hello@opentech.fund as a general contact email and does not provide a program-specific telephone number.