Apply now for Internet Freedom Fund Program

Open Technology Fund (OTF) offers the Internet Freedom Fund, its primary opportunity for supporting innovative internet freedom projects worldwide. The fund supports technology development, applied research, digital security ecosystem improvements, and community convenings. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through a two-stage process (Concept Note, then Proposal for competitive applicants). Opportunity at a Glance

- Provider: Open Technology Fund (OTF)

- Opportunity name: Internet Freedom Fund

- What it funds: Innovative internet freedom projects, including technology development, applied research, digital security ecosystem work, and convenings

- Application process: Two-stage (Concept Note → invited Proposal)

- Application timing: Accepted on a rolling basis

- Award range: $10,000 to $900,000

- Maximum duration: Up to 24 months

- Ideal funding (guidance): $50,000 to $200,000 for 6 to 12 months (ideal applicants)

- Payment method: Awards are performance-based contracts; payments are made in U.S. dollars and will comply with local laws and ethics rules

- Typical response time: Applicants can expect to hear back within approximately 6–8 weeks after submitting a Concept Note

- Eligible applicants: Individuals 18+ and organizations (for-profit or nonprofit), irrespective of nationality, creed, or sex

- Sanctions limitation: OTF cannot support applicants within countries subject to U.S. trade restrictions/export sanctions as determined by OFAC (U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control)

About the Opportunity

The Internet Freedom Fund is the primary way OTF supports innovative global internet freedom projects. OTF prioritizes projects that focus on technology development and implementation, but the fund may also support applied research, convenings, and digital security work. OTF also prioritizes applicants who are applying for the first time, identify as under-represented within the field, and address areas that are underfunded. Funding and Benefits

- Grant size: Awards range from $10,000 to $900,000.

- Project duration: Awards are for up to 24 months.

- Guidance on “ideal” fit: OTF indicates ideal applicants seek funding between $50,000 and $200,000 for efforts between 6 and 12 months.

- Contracting and disbursement: Funding is structured as performance-based contracts signed directly with the applicant(s). Payments are dispersed upon completion of stated objectives, activities, and deliverables per the contract schedule.

- Currency and compliance: All payments are made in U.S. dollars and will comply with local laws, regulations, and ethics rules.

- Monitoring and evaluation: Successful applicants are paired with an OTF program manager to oversee monitoring and evaluation. Assessments are based on predetermined and agreed-upon metrics, deliverables, and goals described in the proposal. Who Is Eligible?

- Individuals: Must be ages 18+.

- Organizations: For-profit or nonprofit organizations are eligible.

- Nationality/identity: Applicants may apply irrespective of nationality, creed, or sex.

- Country restriction (sanctions): OTF is not able to support applicants within countries that are subject to U.S. trade restrictions or export sanctions as determined by OFAC. Eligible Activities or Priority Areas OTF supports internet freedom projects through multiple funding categories: Technology Development Supports development of innovative internet freedom technologies from prototype to deployment phases, and may support core infrastructure projects serving internet freedom and human rights communities. Examples include: - Creating new, open-source circumvention technologies - Improving existing open-source internet freedom technologies (security, usability, adaptability) - Developing content redistribution methods for access behind government firewalls - Next-generation tools - Improving security standards, quality assurance, and best practices in core infrastructure projects - Improving accessibility and usability of existing projects Applied Research Supports applied research efforts focused on internet freedom. Examples include: - Research identifying where and how censorship is occurring - Studying methods to counteract censorship - Research on real-time monitoring and analysis of threats to internet freedom - Exploring new methods or improvements for censorship circumvention tools - Work that increases understanding and awareness within the internet freedom community - User research on needs of people living under repressive surveillance and censorship, including usability and localization improvements Improving the Digital Security Ecosystem OTF seeks systematic improvements to the digital security ecosystem to help practitioners and threat intelligence researchers adapt to evolving threats. OTF is looking for ecosystem-wide or infrastructure-related investments that enable systematic changes to boost the impact of digital security work.

OTF notes that this category should:

- Address the growth and adaptability of a regional and/or global digital security network - Include thoughtful consideration of existing and complementary efforts - Explain how the proposal will lead to positive change in the global and/or regional digital security ecosystem

Important restriction stated by OTF:

- OTF does not support one-off training, training of trainers, or organizational capacity building as a primary outcome. - OTF indicates that in some cases, its Rapid Response Fund can support emergency digital security training for at-risk individuals/organizations facing active or imminent threats, but Internet Freedom Fund support focuses on ecosystem-wide solutions. Events and Community Convenings Supports efforts that empower internet freedom communities to collaborate, improve knowledge sharing, and help cultivate and diversify internet freedom leadership. Examples include: - Targeted gatherings designed to improve collaboration and knowledge sharing across privacy, circumvention technology, and dig