The Open Technology Fund (OTF) is open for applications for its Internet Freedom Fund, a primary way to support projects and people working on open and accessible technology-centred projects that promote human rights, internet freedom, open societies, and help advance inclusive and safe access to global communications networks.
Applications should focus on the following:
- Creating new open source circumvention technologies that fill a current need of targeted users;
- Improving the security, usability, and adaptability of existing open source internet freedom technologies;
- Providing new or deeper insights into the challenges of front-line communities that ultimately contribute to the improvement of technological solutions;
- Projects that emphasise applied research;
- Research that focuses on real-time monitoring and analysis of both technical and political threats to internet freedom, including network interference and shutdowns;
- New content redistribution methods able to reintroduce content behind firewalls, or similar services;
- Making targeted communities more resilient to digital attacks via customised solutions;
- Creating new open source circumvention technologies that fill a current need of targeted users;
- Next-generation tools that move beyond traditional “cat-and-mouse” circumvention techniques.
Grant size
Candidates can apply for up to $900,000 and no less than $10,000 for a year long contract.
OTF awards are performance-based contracts signed directly with the applicant.
Project duration
OTF awards are generally 6 to 18 months in duration.
From time to time, OTF may consider requests to extend existing contracts.
Eligibility criteria
Ideal applicants are making use of, support, or develop open and accessible technologies promoting human rights and open societies, and help advance inclusive and safe access to global communications networks. In addition, ideal applicants meet one or more of the following:
- Individuals of all ages irrespective of nationality, residency, creed, gender, or other factors, with the exception that OTF is not able to support applicants within countries that the United States has trade restrictions or export sanctions as determined by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC);
- Non-profit organization/non-government organization, including U.S.-based NGO, PIO, or foreign NGO;
- Non-profit university or research institution in any country;
- For-profit organization or business in any country;
- Consortia of multiple people or organizations with one individual or organization designated as the lead applicant;
- Have demonstrated experience administering successful projects, preferably targeting the requested program area, or similarly challenging program environments where OTF reserves the right to request additional background information on organizations;
- Ideal applicants should not duplicate or simply add to efforts supported by other USG funding programs;
- Ideal applicants must not reflect any type of support for any member, affiliate, or representative of a designated terrorist organization, whether or not elected members of government.
Deadline
Next deadline for concept notes is 1 January 2018.
How to apply
The application process has two stages:
- Concept note – accepted on a rolling basis, with submission rounds closing every two months
- Full proposal – if your concept note is accepted, you will be invited to submit a full proposal.
For further details and to apply please visit Open Technology Fund.