Research Funding and Grants: Open Technology and Public-Interest Work

This guide highlights selected funding sources relevant to open-source software, open technology, digital rights, Internet freedom, Wikimedia research and public-interest technology. It prioritises official programme pages with a clear connection to these areas rather than attempting to list every organisation that works on technology or policy.

This is a time-neutral guide, not a live list of open calls. The inclusion of a programme does not mean that it is currently accepting applications. Check the funder’s official guidance for the latest eligibility rules, deadlines, eligible costs, application route and terms before preparing a proposal.

Contents

1. Open technology and open-source funding
2. Digital rights and Internet freedom
3. Internet research and governance
4. Wikimedia funding
5. Fellowships and contribution programmes
6. Before applying
7. Disclaimer

Open technology and open-source funding

• NLnet Foundation - Apply for a grant — a specialist source for technical projects involving open-source software, open hardware, open standards and technologies that support an open and trustworthy Internet. Check the relevant fund’s technical scope, licensing requirements and applicant eligibility.
• Open Technology Fund - Apply — funding for projects that advance Internet freedom, including relevant technology development and applied research. Each fund has its own purpose and requirements; use the official application portal to identify a suitable programme.
• GitHub Grants for Open Source in India — information about support for open-source contributors and maintainers in India. Consult the repository for programme details and current announcements; do not assume that a previous round is open again.

These sources have distinct priorities. A technical grant may require open licensing, a working prototype, a specific public benefit or a defined type of applicant. Read the programme criteria before investing time in a proposal.

Digital rights and Internet freedom

• Open Technology Fund - Internet Freedom Fund — supports projects advancing Internet freedom, including relevant technology development, applied research and digital security. Review the current applicant guide and process before applying.
• Digital Freedom Fund - Grants — a specialised source for strategic litigation and related work advancing human rights in digital spaces. It is not a general-purpose research fund; check the stated scope and eligibility.
• Wikimedia Foundation funding portal — relevant where a project directly serves Wikimedia communities or projects. See the dedicated Wikimedia section below for programme guidance.

Organisations working on digital rights do not necessarily offer grants or accept unsolicited proposals. This list therefore focuses on identifiable funding routes rather than general organisational homepages. Check each funder’s own rules and current announcements.

Internet research and governance

• Internet Society Foundation - Research Grant Program — supports research related to the Internet and its impact on society. Check its current research themes, eligible applicants, costs and application guidance.
• Internet Society Foundation — its official grant-programme pages are useful for identifying other funding streams related to an open, globally connected, secure and trustworthy Internet. Each programme has separate eligibility and application requirements.
• Internet Governance Forum — monitor official announcements for relevant research calls, fellowships or participation support tied to Internet governance. Many such opportunities are time-bound and are not conventional research grants.

These sources are included because they publish or point to specific programmes relevant to Internet research and governance. Internet infrastructure organisations are not listed simply because they work on the Internet; include them in a funding search only when a specific official programme fits the proposed work.

Wikimedia funding

The Wikimedia Foundation’s funding portal is especially relevant to Wikimedia contributors, communities, affiliates, event organisers and researchers working on or about Wikimedia projects. These programmes are designed around the Wikimedia movement and should not be treated as general-purpose funding for unrelated projects.

Start with the overview of Wikimedia funding programmes. From there, check the current programme pages and guidance for:

• Rapid Fund — support for eligible short-term, lower-cost activities with a Wikimedia focus.
• General Support Fund — support for eligible programmes, projects or strategic plans connected to the Wikimedia movement.
• Conference and Event Fund — support for eligible events and activities that bring Wikimedians together.
• Wikimedia Research Fund — support for research on or about Wikimedia projects, subject to its research criteria.
• Other programmes listed in the portal — check the current status, eligibility, application cycle and terms rather than relying on older announcements.

A project does not qualify simply because it mentions Wikipedia or uses Wikimedia content. Explain the connection to Wikimedia projects or communities and follow the requirements of the specific programme. Past awards may illustrate the funder’s interests, but do not prove that a call is currently open or that another proposal will qualify.

Fellowships and contribution programmes

Some opportunities provide a stipend, mentorship, training or travel support rather than a project grant. They may be useful, but they are not interchangeable with grants or jobs.

• ICANN Fellowship Program — supports participation in the ICANN community. Check the relevant round’s eligibility, application window and what support is provided.
• Internet Society Fellowship programmes — a starting point for selected fellowship, mentorship and participation programmes connected with Internet development and research. Read each programme’s specific terms.
• Outreachy — paid, mentored internships contributing to open-source and other open projects. Check current eligibility and application dates.
• Google Summer of Code — a stipend-supported open-source contribution programme, not employment with Google.
• LFX Mentorship — project-based open-source mentorship opportunities. Check the terms, eligibility and compensation for each programme.

Confirm whether support is a grant, stipend, reimbursement, paid placement or volunteer opportunity. In particular, check what costs are covered and whether funding is paid in advance or reimbursed after expenditure.

Before applying

• Check fit first. Match your proposed work to the funder’s published purpose, eligible activities and intended beneficiaries.
• Confirm who can apply. Rules may distinguish individuals, informal groups, registered organisations, universities, community affiliates and applicants from particular countries.
• Check the budget rules. Confirm whether salaries, overheads, equipment, travel, subcontracting and indirect costs are allowed. A grant is not automatically personal income.
• Read the current call. Verify the deadline and time zone, required documents, duration, outputs, licensing conditions and reporting obligations.
• Use the official application route. Search results and third-party lists may point to expired calls. Navigate from the funder’s official site and contact the funder through an address published there if a rule is unclear.
• Do not make commitments based on an unconfirmed award. Avoid booking travel or spending money on the assumption that funding will be approved.

Disclaimer

This page is provided for general informational purposes. It is a selective guide to funding sources, not a live or comprehensive list of open calls, a grant-making programme, funding agency or guarantee of funding by TSAP or its contributors. TSAP does not administer, control, sponsor or influence the external programmes linked here.

Programme names, priorities, eligibility rules, application windows and terms can change. Inclusion of a link does not mean that a programme is active, accepting applications, that a reader qualifies or that a proposal will be selected. Verify all material details directly with the relevant funder before applying, sharing personal information or making financial commitments.

Links do not imply endorsement, partnership, sponsorship or affiliation. External websites operate under their own terms and privacy practices. TSAP is not responsible for their content, application processes, security, decisions or outcomes.

📄 This page was created on 20 October 2026. You can view its history on GitHub, preview the fileTip: Press Alt+Shift+G, or inspect the underlying source.