This is a collection of verified resources & programs that offer grants + funding towards ideas, side projects, startups, etc. It contains application information along with deadlines.
Pull requests are accepted and must follow the format below. Will try to keep this updated regularly sorted by earliest deadline.
- Info: A micro-grant for your side project.
- Award: Up to €500 towards software/services to get your project online.
- Application Process/Info: Apply by filling out the form on the site. You should hear back some time towards the end of April. If they like what they see, they'll approach you for an interview and everything will be sorted out from there. See website for further details.
- Application Link: https://tyk.io/fund/
Deadline December 20th, 2020
- Info: Science funding mechanisms are too slow in normal times and may be much too slow during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fast Grants are an effort to correct this. If you are a scientist at an academic institution currently working on a COVID-19 related project and in need of funding, we invite you to apply for a Fast Grant. Fast Grants are $10k to $500k and decisions are made in under 48 hours. If we approve the grant, you'll receive payment as quickly as your university can receive it.
- Award: Anywhere from $10,000 to $500,000.
- Application Process/Info: https://fastgrants.org/
- Application Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeWBZNQ-XI3KJbhHK6RYdsyOOYP57jFqGVlWxX0ah-TXWiFPw/viewform
Applications are currently paused
- Info: The Internet Freedom Fund is OTF's primary way to support projects and people working on open and accessible technology-centric projects that promote human rights, Internet freedom, open societies, and help advance inclusive and safe access to global communications networks for at-risk users including journalists, human rights defenders, civil society activists, and every-day people living within repressive environments who wish to speak freely online.
- Award: Anywhere from $10,000 to $900,000.
- Application Process/Info: https://www.opentech.fund/funds/internet-freedom-fund/
- Application Link: https://apply.opentech.fund/internet-freedom-fund/
Deadline: May 1st, 2020
- Info: The Core Infrastructure Fund supports the ‘building block’ technologies, infrastructures, and communities relied upon by digital security and circumvention tools strengthening Internet freedom, digital security, and the overall health of the Internet.
- Award: Maximum of $300,000.
- Application Process/Info: All CIF applications are reviewed by the OTF team; selected applications are also then reviewed by OTF’s independent Advisory Council review panel. CIF proposals are reviewed by specific AC members who bring with them a deep knowledge of and experience with core Internet technologies. Further details here: https://www.opentech.fund/funds/core-infrastructure-fund/
- Application Link: https://apply.opentech.fund/core-infrastructure-fund/
Deadline: May 1st, 2020
- Info: The Community Prototype Fund supports the rapid development of innovative, viable and open Internet freedom technology prototypes that serve the immediate needs of the Internet freedom and human rights communities.
- Award: Successful applicants are awarded monetary support up to $6,000 for a duration of less than 12 weeks.
- Application Process/Info: Successful applicants selected by OTF are paired with an OTF program manager who oversees all project monitoring and evaluation for the duration of the awarded contract lifecycle. Monitoring and evaluation assessments are largely based on predetermined and agreed upon metrics, deliverables, and goals as laid out by the applicant in the project proposal workplan. Further details here: https://www.opentech.fund/funds/community-prototype-fund/
- Application Link: https://apply.opentech.fund/cpf/
Deadline: May 1st, 2020
- Info: The Rapid Response Fund aims to facilitate the digital emergency response community to resolve threats in a timely and comprehensive manner for individuals, communities, and organizations whose free expression has recently been repressed.
- Award: Successful applicants are awarded monetary support up to $6,000 for a duration of less than 12 weeks.
- Application Process/Info: OTF accepts applications on a rolling basis. Further details here: https://www.opentech.fund/funds/rapid-response-fund/
- Application Link: https://apply.opentech.fund/rapid-response-fund/
No Deadline! Applications accepted on a rolling basis
- Info The Awesome Foundation is an organization that awards $1,000 grants every month. They don't want any compensation (equity, ownership, ROI, etc.) they simply want to help you build your product!
- Award: $1000
- Application Process: https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/faq
- Application Link: https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/submissions/new
No deadline! Grants are typically awarded monthly.
- Info Non-profit working to create a quantum technology ecosystem that benefits the most people. They fund explorers across the world to work on quantum technologies.
- Award: $4000
- Application Process: The program is designed to be as simple as possible. No committees to convince. No organizational affiliation required. Just a short form and a two minute video. More details here: https://unitary.fund/
- Application Link: https://willzeng.typeform.com/to/j0kAOd
No deadline!
- Info Through the Mozilla Open Source Support (MOSS) awards program, they recognize, celebrate, and support open source projects that contribute to Mozilla’s work and to the health of the Internet. MOSS broadens access, increases security, and empowers users by providing catalytic funding to open source technologists.
- Award: Varies
- Application Process: Fill out form: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/moss/
- Application Link: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/moss/ (Select award track)
No deadline! Grants are typically awarded monthly.
- Info Gitcoin is a bazaar where you can find funding for your code, or code if you're a funder.
- Award: Varies
- Process: https://gitcoin.co/how/funder
No deadline
- Info Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits to help during this challenging time for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses.
- Award: Varies
- Application Process: TBA; Check here for details: https://www.facebook.com/business/boost/grants
- Application Link: TBA; Check here for details: https://www.facebook.com/business/boost/grants
N/A They will begin taking applications in the coming weeks
- Info The Python Software Foundation is the organization behind Python. Become a member of the PSF and help advance the software.
- Award: Varies
- Application Requirements https://www.python.org/psf/grants/#grant-proposal-requirements
Temporarily Paused as of March 13, 2020 due to Coronavirus
- Info: Clojurists Together funds maintainers of critical Clojure open source software, infrastructure, and documentation.
- Award: May vary over time, but currently $3,000 USD/month for three months.
- Application Process/Info: Fill out a short form to apply. Every quarter, the committee reviews all applications and votes on which ones best match what Clojurists Together members are looking to support.
- Application Link: https://www.clojuriststogether.org/open-source/
Winning a grant is much easier said than done which is why I wanted to include another section linking you to platforms where you can crowdfund instead. In many cases, a grant might not cover all of your costs which is why crowdfunding might also be a good option for you to look into.
- Kickstarter: Helps bring creative projects to life.
- Ko-fi: Like Patreon/Buy Me a Coffee
- Buy Me a Coffee
- Indiegogo: Indiegogo is where early adopters and innovation seekers find lively, imaginative tech before it hits the mainstream.
- Patreon: Patreon is a membership platform based in the United States that provides business tools for creators to run a subscription content service. It allows creators and artists to earn a monthly income by providing exclusive rewards and perks to their subscribers
- CodeFund: CodeFund focuses on providing an ethical alternative to digital advertising that drives results and respect from our technical audience
- CrowdFunder: Crowdfunder is the leader in equity crowdfunding and has helped raise capital for thousands of companies from a network of 12,000 VCs and angel investors
- Experiment: Experiment is a crowdfunding platform for scientific research projects, including academic research, teaching and public outreach, and independent science projects.
Various platforms offer free server credit to help you and your project get off the ground without worrying about start-up costs.
If you're a student, I strongly recommend applying for the Github Student Developer Pack.