Open Technology Fund (OTF)
A US internet freedom fund: grants for anti-censorship and anti-surveillance technology and digital security.
About the fund
The Open Technology Fund (OTF) is a US non-profit that supports open technologies and communities that increase free expression, circumvent censorship and obstruct repressive surveillance. OTF was established in 2012 as a programme of Radio Free Asia and has been an independent organisation since 2019, funded by the US Congress through the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM).
Its main instrument is the Internet Freedom Fund, which supports technology development and implementation, applied research, digital security and community convenings. OTF also runs a Rapid Response Fund for digital emergencies and labs that provide free security audits, localisation and other services to projects.
In March 2025, OTF challenged in court USAGM's termination of its grant funding; in June 2025 a federal court ordered the agency to release its fiscal year 2024 funds. Applications remain open, and for Ukrainian teams working on digital security and access to information OTF remains one of the key donors.
Focus areas
- Censorship circumvention and free internet access
- Privacy and protection from surveillance
- Digital security for media and human rights defenders
- Open-source software for internet freedom
- Applied internet freedom research
- Tool localisation
Interesting facts
Established in 2012 as a Radio Free Asia programme; independent since 2019.
Has supported more than 450 projects; over 2 billion people use OTF-supported technology.
Its Localization Lab has translated internet freedom tools into more than 200 languages.
How to apply
Organisations, teams and individual developers worldwide can apply, including Ukrainian NGOs and media. The Internet Freedom Fund offers USD 10,000-900,000 for up to 24 months; concept notes are accepted on a rolling basis at apply.opentech.fund.
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Call matching, consultation or turnkey application writing - from our team.
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