Internet Freedom Fund is open for application for funding. Established and maintain by Open Technology Fund, they prioritizes projects coming from individuals or organizations who are applying for the first time, identify as under-represented within the field, and address areas that are underfunded. Applicants should focused on technology development and implementation, but can also include applied research, convenings, and digital security projects.

Funding awards are performance-based contracts signed directly with the applicant or applicants. Funding is dispersed upon completion of stated objectives, activities, and deliverables per a schedule outlined in the contract. All payments are made in U.S. dollars and will comply with local laws, regulations, and ethics rules.

Awards are between $10,000 and $900,000 for up to 24 months. Ideal applicants seek funding between $50,000 and $200,000 for efforts between 6 and 12 months. They have four categories for funding: technology development, applied research, improving the digital security ecosystem, and events and community convenings.

Successful applicants are paired with an OTF program manager who will oversee all project monitoring and evaluation for the duration of the contract. Monitoring and evaluation assessments are based on predetermined and agreed-upon metrics, deliverables, and goals as laid out by the applicant in the project proposal.

Applying for the Internet Freedom Fund is a two-stage application process:

Stage 1: Submit a Concept Note through OTF’s online application system in which you tell us about your project idea through a short form.

Stage 2: Applicants whose Concept Notes are deemed to be highly competitive will be invited to submit a Proposal in which they will expand upon their project idea

Individuals or organizations (for-profit or nonprofit) of all ages irrespective of nationality, creed, or sex are eligible to apply.

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).

Click here to read more

https://www.opentech.fund/funds/internet-freedom-fund

Click here to apply

https://apply.opentech.fund/auth/?next=/internet-freedom-fund-concept-note

Author

Paul Olayioye