Internet Freedom Fund
Internet Freedom Fund supports internet freedom communities with technology, applied research, digital security improvements, and convenings to help people facing censorship access information and communicate safely.
Funder: Open Technology Fund
Due Dates: Rolling (Concept notes) | At least 90 days after submission (Community convening start date)
Funding Amounts: $10,000–$900,000 for up to 24 months; ideal requests are $50,000–$200,000 for 6–12 months
Summary: Supports technology development, applied research, digital security ecosystem improvements, and convenings advancing internet freedom in repressive environments.
Key Information: Applicants in countries subject to U.S. trade restrictions or export sanctions cannot receive support.
Description
The Internet Freedom Fund is Open Technology Fund’s primary opportunity for innovative global internet freedom projects. It supports technology development and implementation from prototype to deployment, including open-source circumvention tools and core infrastructure serving internet freedom and human rights communities. Projects help people facing repressive censorship and surveillance access blocked information, communicate safely, and use more secure, usable, accessible, and adaptable technologies.
The fund also supports applied research into censorship methods, targeted content, countermeasures, and user needs. Digital security funding focuses on systematic improvements to regional and global ecosystems, including coordination and collaboration as threats evolve. Events and convenings bring diverse voices together to share knowledge and resources, build trust, identify community needs, and cultivate the next generation of internet freedom leaders.
