Internet Freedom Fund – Sep 1

Posted by Open Technology Fund on August 6, 2019

Open Technology Fund Invites Applications for Internet Freedom

An initiative of the Open Technology Fund, the Internet Freedom Fund strives to build the capacity of individuals, organizations, and companies working to advance technology-centered efforts designed to strengthen Internet freedom and promote human rights by circumventing repressive censorship and surveillance, improving related digital security capabilities, and contributing to the overall health of the Internet.

To that end, ITF is inviting applications focused on creating new open source circumvention technologies that fill a current need of target users; improve the security, usability, and adaptability of existing open source Internet freedom technologies; and/or provide new or deeper insight into the challenges of front-line communities that ultimately contribute to the improvement of technological solutions. The fund also supports applied research; research that focuses on real-time monitoring and analysis of both technical and political threats to Internet freedom; new content redistribution methods able to reintroduce content behind firewalls; making targeted communities more resilient to digital attacks via customized solutions in-line with OTF criteria; creating new open source circumvention technologies that fill a current need of targeted users; and next-generation tools that move beyond traditional “cat-and-mouse” circumvention techniques.

Organizations may apply for one-year grants ranging between $10,000 and $900,000. OTF’s target support ceiling is $300,000, and most grantees will receive between $50,000 and $200,000.

Preference is given to organizations and individuals without a history of prior support and who have a deep understanding of the surveillance, censorship, and security issues affecting communities from the Global South living in repressive environments. Strong priority will be given to projects with the potential for immediate impact and long-term sustainability and that make intellectual property publicly available via open licensing and open source code.

Concept notes from prospective applicants are due September 1, 2019. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Eligible applicants include individuals of all ages irrespective of nationality, residency, creed, gender, or other factors (except for individuals in countries the United States has imposed trade restrictions or export sanctions on as determined by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control); nonprofit or nongovernmental organizations (including U.S.-based NGOs, PIOs, or foreign NGOs); nonprofit universities or research institutions (in any country); and for-profit organizations or businesses (in any country). Consortia of multiple people or organizations with a single lead are also eligible.

See the Open Technology Fund website for complete program guidelines, eligibility criteria, an FAQ, and application instructions.

Deadline: September 1, 2019 (Concept note)

Learn more and apply: https://www.opentech.fund/funds/internet-freedom-fund/