Internet Freedom Fund by Open Technology Fund: USD 10,000 to 900,000 for technology, research and digital security, rolling applications

The Open Technology Fund (OTF) has issued an open call for its flagship Internet Freedom Fund. The program supports global initiatives designed to counter online censorship and surveillance, advance digital security, and protect human rights online. Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis without a fixed deadline.

Funding ranges from USD 10,000 to USD 900,000 for projects lasting up to 24 months. OTF emphasizes that ideal proposals typically request between USD 50,000 and USD 200,000 for implementation periods of 6 to 12 months. Financial support is provided through performance-based contracts.

This opportunity is available globally to individuals aged 18 and older, non-governmental organizations, research institutions, and commercial enterprises. Priority is given to first-time applicants, under-represented groups, and initiatives targeting underfunded areas.

What is funded

The Internet Freedom Fund supports projects across four primary categories: technology development, applied research, digital security ecosystem improvements, and community convenings. Technology projects can range from prototype creation to deployment, including new open-source circumvention tools, improvements to core internet infrastructure, content redistribution mechanisms, and enhancements to usability and security standards.

Applied research grants cover threat monitoring, analyses of how and where censorship occurs, studies on censorship circumvention methods, and user research focused on individuals living under repressive surveillance. Ecosystem-level digital security projects must offer structural improvements rather than one-off interventions, addressing practitioner coordination and threat intelligence sharing.

The program also funds events and convenings that bring together internet freedom communities to build collective strategies, foster knowledge exchange, and diversify leadership. OTF specifically excludes isolated one-off trainings, training of trainers, and internal organizational capacity building from this fund’s scope.

Who can apply

Eligibility is open to both individuals aged 18 or older and organizational entities of any nationality. Eligible organizations include non-governmental organizations, small and medium-sized enterprises, and research institutes, whether operated on a non-profit or for-profit basis.

The fund places a strong emphasis on inclusivity and representation. Priority review is accorded to first-time applicants to OTF, entities that identify as under-represented within the technology and internet freedom sectors, and projects directly addressing underserved populations or underfunded technical areas.

Conditions and requirements

Approved funding is awarded through performance-based contracts rather than traditional upfront grants. Payments are tied to predetermined deliverables, metrics, and milestones agreed upon during contract development, and disbursements are executed in U.S. dollars upon milestone verification.

All funded activities must comply with applicable local laws, regulations, and ethics standards. Grantees will be paired with an OTF program manager who conducts regular monitoring and evaluation throughout the implementation period.

Practical tip. Align your request with the donor’s sweet spot of USD 50,000 to USD 200,000 for a 6 to 12-month period, and make sure that any technical output is structured as open-source. Clearly define measurable milestone deliverables, as contract disbursements are released only after each target is met.

How to apply

Applications are processed on a rolling basis through a two-stage evaluation system. Prospective grantees initiate the process by submitting an initial concept proposal through the donor’s application platform.

If the initial submission passes review, applicants are invited to submit a detailed second-stage proposal. This comprehensive submission requires complete implementation schedules, technical specifications, itemized budgets, and risk mitigation strategies.

Applications are submitted on the donor’s page: opentech.fund.