What we fund

Funding and resources for a more human-centered internet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility

Who do you give awards to? Who can apply?
Many Mozilla Award tracks are open to individuals, teams of individuals, non-profit organizations, and even for-profit companies. Please review the application guide for the specific track to which you’re submitting an application for eligibility requirements.

Can I apply as an individual?
Many Mozilla Award tracks are open to individual applicants. Please review the application guide for the specific track to which you’re submitting an application for specific eligibility requirements.

Can I apply as a group?
Groups of individuals or organizations are eligible to apply for many Mozilla Award tracks. Please review the application guide for the track to which you’re applying for specific eligibility requirements. Please note that one individual or organization must be selected as the applicant on your award application. If awarded, this applicant will be programmatically and fiscally responsible for the award.

My organization is not legally registered. Can I still apply?

Unregistered organizations can apply as long as you have a legally registered fiscal host. If awarded, the grant agreement will include your fiscal host.

Am I required to openly license my work?
To ensure the widest possible distribution of award-funded materials and to ensure that they remain generally available to the public, our grant agreement includes a requirement for awardees to release any project-related content under a Creative Commons license and any project-related code under an open source license.

If you have governance concerns about releasing your project-related work under an open source license, we encourage you to include a note on this in your application with an explanation and this will be considered accordingly.

Award Types

What is Project Support?

Project support grants provide organizations with the funds they need to develop and/or implement a distinct initiative/project. These grants are aimed at achieving specific goals and milestones that are related to that initiative/project and are agreed by the grantee and Mozilla Foundation.

What is General Operating Support?

General operating support grants (also known as core support funding, or core operating support) provide organizations with the funds they need to carry out their day-to-day work. These grants are self-directed by an organization and typically used to cover costs that are essential for an organization to function. General operating support grants may only be made to organizations that 1) have a charitable mission and focus; and 2) are aligned with the strategic aims of the Mozilla Foundation.

If invited to submit a full application, and thereafter awarded, organizations receiving general operating support will need to work with the Mozilla Foundation to obtain an equivalency determination certificate through NGO Source (at Mozilla Foundation's cost).

Submitting an Application

Do you accept applications that are not related to an existing awards program (like Mozilla Technology Fund, Responsible Computing Challenge, etc.)?
Outside of the active requests for proposals, Mozilla does not accept applications for project or general operating support unless invited by a staff member.

How do I use Fluxx?
Mozilla's awards are managed through Fluxx. To submit an application consult the guidelines for the awards track to which you are applying, and visit https://mozilla.fluxx.io to submit your application.

Who should I contact if I need assistance with Fluxx?

If you need help using Fluxx, please contact [email protected].

If I submit confidential or proprietary information in my application, will Mozilla honor the confidentiality of that information?
Mozilla requires review committee members to sign confidentiality agreements, which preclude them from disclosing any confidential information they review as part of the judging process.

What budget template should I use for my application?

Please download this Budget Template to complete and attach to your application.

Can I submit my application in a language other than English?

We require that all applications are submitted in English.

However, recognizing that English is not a primary language for many people, we encourage you to use translation support to complete the application, including free translation tools/apps. We also offer a space in the application for you to let us know if a translation tool was used to complete the application. We ask this in order to support reviewers to read the application based on how it was prepared.

Applications are reviewed for conceptual strength, not quality of language.

Award Details

Neither Mozilla nor any potential grantee submitting an application for funding shall be considered to have entered into an agreement, until and unless both parties have signed a separate definitive grant agreement.

Can Mozilla funds be used to support indirect costs of a project?
Yes, but not all applicants are eligible to include indirect costs. Please see Mozilla's Indirect Cost Policy for details.

Are salaries considered a direct cost?
Yes. Direct costs are expenses directly attributable to the specific project/activity described in your application. Generally, direct costs would not be incurred if the proposed scope of work did not exist. Direct costs may include staff salaries, contractors or consultants.

Are there any activities Mozilla is prohibited from funding?

Mozilla funding cannot be used to support:

  • Projects that are unrelated to Mozilla's mission and vision
  • Political campaigns and lobbying activities
  • Projects that provide personal monetary gain (beyond reasonable compensation for time spent working on the project; eg salaries and wages)
  • Religious proselytizing
  • Promotion of violence
  • Entities subject to sanctions by the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control

If I am an individual or non-exempt organization, can I use award funds to purchase equipment?
Individuals and non exempt organizations using grant funds to purchase single pieces of equipment in excess of $5,000 USD must usually donate that equipment at the conclusion of the funded project to either (1) an organization that is exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code (IRC); or (2) a nonprofit organization organized under the laws of another country and complying substantially with the laws governing organizations exempt under 501(c)(3) of the IRC. The recipient of the equipment should make sense in light of the purposes of the project funded by Mozilla, and Mozilla has the ultimate right to determine whether the recipient is acceptable.

Should the awardee wish to retain the equipment and materials beyond the grant term, the awardee must get prior approval from Mozilla for an exception, which will typically be given only if the awardee commits to using such equipment and materials exclusively for work substantially similar to the funded project, or otherwise demonstrates that Mozilla has only paid for the portion of the equipment costs reasonably allocable to the equipment’s use during the grant term. Awardee must also provide any additional reporting on the use of the equipment as requested by Mozilla.

Are there any supports Mozilla provides to awardees in addition to funding?

We strive to provide awardees in each cohort with the resources needed to unlock their full potential and to make their work more sustainable in the long term. While the specific types of support are tailored to the unique needs of the awardees and cohorts, providing opportunities for peer learning and community, mentorship, and communications support are key elements of our accompaniment approach across all of our fellowships and awards programs.

General

What is meant by "Internet health"?
Awards administered by Mozilla are designed to support diverse approaches to addressing the most pressing threats to Internet health. Awards celebrate a variety of targeted solutions, not a one-size-fits-all silver bullet. They spotlight the technologies, art, and other work being done by leaders across the globe in order to amplify these promising approaches and to help make the Internet healthier for all.

Is there someone I can talk to about my eligibility or project idea?
Please consult the application guide for the appropriate Program Officer contact information. You may also contact [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility

Who do you give awards to? Who can apply?
Many Mozilla Award tracks are open to individuals, teams of individuals, non-profit organizations, and even for-profit companies. Please review the application guide for the specific track to which you’re submitting an application for eligibility requirements.

Can I apply as an individual?
Many Mozilla Award tracks are open to individual applicants. Please review the application guide for the specific track to which you’re submitting an application for specific eligibility requirements.

Can I apply as a group?
Groups of individuals or organizations are eligible to apply for many Mozilla Award tracks. Please review the application guide for the track to which you’re applying for specific eligibility requirements. Please note that one individual or organization must be selected as the applicant on your award application. If awarded, this applicant will be programmatically and fiscally responsible for the award.

My organization is not legally registered. Can I still apply?

Unregistered organizations can apply as long as you have a legally registered fiscal host. If awarded, the grant agreement will include your fiscal host.

Am I required to openly license my work?
To ensure the widest possible distribution of award-funded materials and to ensure that they remain generally available to the public, our grant agreement includes a requirement for awardees to release any project-related content under a Creative Commons license and any project-related code under an open source license.

If you have governance concerns about releasing your project-related work under an open source license, we encourage you to include a note on this in your application with an explanation and this will be considered accordingly.

Award Types

What is Project Support?

Project support grants provide organizations with the funds they need to develop and/or implement a distinct initiative/project. These grants are aimed at achieving specific goals and milestones that are related to that initiative/project and are agreed by the grantee and Mozilla Foundation.

What is General Operating Support?

General operating support grants (also known as core support funding, or core operating support) provide organizations with the funds they need to carry out their day-to-day work. These grants are self-directed by an organization and typically used to cover costs that are essential for an organization to function. General operating support grants may only be made to organizations that 1) have a charitable mission and focus; and 2) are aligned with the strategic aims of the Mozilla Foundation.

If invited to submit a full application, and thereafter awarded, organizations receiving general operating support will need to work with the Mozilla Foundation to obtain an equivalency determination certificate through NGO Source (at Mozilla Foundation's cost).

Submitting an Application

Do you accept applications that are not related to an existing awards program (like Mozilla Technology Fund, Responsible Computing Challenge, etc.)?
Outside of the active requests for proposals, Mozilla does not accept applications for project or general operating support unless invited by a staff member.

How do I use Fluxx?
Mozilla's awards are managed through Fluxx. To submit an application consult the guidelines for the awards track to which you are applying, and visit https://mozilla.fluxx.io to submit your application.

Who should I contact if I need assistance with Fluxx?

If you need help using Fluxx, please contact [email protected].

If I submit confidential or proprietary information in my application, will Mozilla honor the confidentiality of that information?
Mozilla requires review committee members to sign confidentiality agreements, which preclude them from disclosing any confidential information they review as part of the judging process.

What budget template should I use for my application?

Please download this Budget Template to complete and attach to your application.

Can I submit my application in a language other than English?

We require that all applications are submitted in English.

However, recognizing that English is not a primary language for many people, we encourage you to use translation support to complete the application, including free translation tools/apps. We also offer a space in the application for you to let us know if a translation tool was used to complete the application. We ask this in order to support reviewers to read the application based on how it was prepared.

Applications are reviewed for conceptual strength, not quality of language.

Award Details

Neither Mozilla nor any potential grantee submitting an application for funding shall be considered to have entered into an agreement, until and unless both parties have signed a separate definitive grant agreement.

Can Mozilla funds be used to support indirect costs of a project?
Yes, but not all applicants are eligible to include indirect costs. Please see Mozilla's Indirect Cost Policy for details.

Are salaries considered a direct cost?
Yes. Direct costs are expenses directly attributable to the specific project/activity described in your application. Generally, direct costs would not be incurred if the proposed scope of work did not exist. Direct costs may include staff salaries, contractors or consultants.

Are there any activities Mozilla is prohibited from funding?

Mozilla funding cannot be used to support:

  • Projects that are unrelated to Mozilla's mission and vision
  • Political campaigns and lobbying activities
  • Projects that provide personal monetary gain (beyond reasonable compensation for time spent working on the project; eg salaries and wages)
  • Religious proselytizing
  • Promotion of violence
  • Entities subject to sanctions by the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control

If I am an individual or non-exempt organization, can I use award funds to purchase equipment?
Individuals and non exempt organizations using grant funds to purchase single pieces of equipment in excess of $5,000 USD must usually donate that equipment at the conclusion of the funded project to either (1) an organization that is exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code (IRC); or (2) a nonprofit organization organized under the laws of another country and complying substantially with the laws governing organizations exempt under 501(c)(3) of the IRC. The recipient of the equipment should make sense in light of the purposes of the project funded by Mozilla, and Mozilla has the ultimate right to determine whether the recipient is acceptable.

Should the awardee wish to retain the equipment and materials beyond the grant term, the awardee must get prior approval from Mozilla for an exception, which will typically be given only if the awardee commits to using such equipment and materials exclusively for work substantially similar to the funded project, or otherwise demonstrates that Mozilla has only paid for the portion of the equipment costs reasonably allocable to the equipment’s use during the grant term. Awardee must also provide any additional reporting on the use of the equipment as requested by Mozilla.

Are there any supports Mozilla provides to awardees in addition to funding?

We strive to provide awardees in each cohort with the resources needed to unlock their full potential and to make their work more sustainable in the long term. While the specific types of support are tailored to the unique needs of the awardees and cohorts, providing opportunities for peer learning and community, mentorship, and communications support are key elements of our accompaniment approach across all of our fellowships and awards programs.

General

What is meant by "Internet health"?
Awards administered by Mozilla are designed to support diverse approaches to addressing the most pressing threats to Internet health. Awards celebrate a variety of targeted solutions, not a one-size-fits-all silver bullet. They spotlight the technologies, art, and other work being done by leaders across the globe in order to amplify these promising approaches and to help make the Internet healthier for all.

Is there someone I can talk to about my eligibility or project idea?
Please consult the application guide for the appropriate Program Officer contact information. You may also contact [email protected].