MOSS

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Program Overview

In October 2015, we are launching a grant program of up to $1 million specifically focused on supporting the Open Source and Free Software movement. We invite you to help further develop the program and to participate in identifying and championing grantees.

Mozilla is a part of the Open Source and Free Software movement. We were born out of this movement, we prosper because of the technology and activism which comes from this movement, and we know that Open Source and Free Software remains a key part of the Internet and the online life we seek to build. Mozilla’s impact to date is an example of accomplishing great things by “standing on the shoulders of giants.” In turn, we hope other Open Source and Free Software projects might benefit from Mozilla. Over the years Mozilla has provided grants to a small set of Open Source and Free Culture projects over the years. Our Chair Mitchell Baker and CEO Chris Beard agreed it is time to expand this work and develop a systematic programmatic way to provide a new level of support.

The Mozilla Open Source Grants program encompasses both a “give back” element for Open Source and Free Software projects that Mozilla relies on and a “pay forward” component for supporting other projects where financial resources from Mozilla can make our entire community more successful. It will also encompass a component related to supporting increased attention to the security of Open Source and Free Software programs. Our initial allocation for Mozilla Open Source Grants program is $1 million dollars. As we develop this program we will determine future allocations.

Project Criteria: 'Building Blocks' Projects

"Building Blocks" projects are software incorporated into Mozilla products, or which we rely on as part of our infrastructure or to get our jobs done. Projects which fit into this category and who are in need of funds are welcome to apply for a grant.

• Grants are jointly submitted by the leader of a project and an established Mozillian who will champion the grant.

• The Mozillian may be (but does not need to be) a project contributor to the project they are championing.

• The Mozillian must vouch for the usefulness of the software, commit to monitoring the project, and report on the effectiveness of the grant after the money is spent. They will also work with the application evaluation committee to help them assess the appropriateness of the grant to the needs of the project.

• The money must be used to benefit the project, but it does not have to be used on things which themselves would directly benefit Mozilla. This is a program for general support of free and open source software projects.

• Grant requests should be for the amount of financial support that helps accomplish a clear and current project goal. Projects that don’t have a need for funds at this time can be considered when such a need arises. A $10,000 grant request is just as valid as a $50,000 or $100,000 request. A previous application, successful or unsuccessful, does not disqualify a project from applying again.

• The project’s home can be anywhere in the world where we can make payment without undue burden. We have a reasonably strong preference for funding legal organizations rather than individuals representing projects, although exceptional circumstances could lead to some flexibility.

• [TBD] Mozilla-based projects are not eligible for this program. This program is aimed at broadening our connections with other groups.

Current 'Building Blocks' Projects

Mozilla’s mission is big and ambitious. And fortunately, we’re not alone in our work. There are many other groups that are pursuing similar or related goals and that we would like to see succeed. We want to do more to recognize those projects and nurture them along, and propose to begin by taking a look at all the free software and open source projects Mozilla relies upon, either incorporated in our products or that we rely upon as infrastructure.

This section is intended as a gathering place for information on those projects. As a starting point, it lists each project along with a short statement of how we depend on it. Where practical it would also be helpful to identify a Mozillian most closely associated with our use of each project, as next steps will involve contacting each one to find out more about how we can best provide support.

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Other Projects

In the future, MOSS will have other tracks. We are developing one with a particular focus on providing security audit and remediation for key projects with a significant attack surface and exposure. These may have similar or different application criteria, or they may not have a public application process at all.

How To Apply

Please fill out this form to be considered for MOSS.

FAQs

Q: What does it mean to “champion” a project for a MOSS Award?

A: Being a champion means you believe in the project and its impact. You believe that funds from a MOSS Award would make a meaningful difference in the success and effectiveness of the project. And you believe the range of funds requested in the Award proposal is appropriate. In the case of the “give=back” category of awards you should also also believe that project has meaningful impact on Mozilla’s work.

A champion does a few different things:

• sponsors the project’s award proposal. It is akin to vouching for someone.
• serves as the liaison between that project and mozilla with regard to the award and hopefully ongoing interaction
• reviews the effectiveness of the award funds after an agreed up on period to help mozilla improve the effectiveness and impact of the MOSS Award program.

Q: How can I get started while the terms of the application and evaluation process are being finalized?

A: Here are some things you can do immediately:

• Do some due diligence with your colleagues. Find out if others share your sense of a project’s impact.
• Identify a contact inside the project who is a good person tot all to about such things. Not every project needs funds all the time. Explore whether there is a current need within the project that could be reduced or fixed withe a MOSS Award. If there is such a need then turn to exploring the size of the amount. Thank about the impact that could occur at several different ranges of money.
• If you find a project you care about has other types of needs, note that in the project list identified in item 1 above. On the other hand, a number of projects
• If you are interested in participating in the finalization of the program criteria, join the discussion.

Q: Can I get help with thinking about or preparing a proposal? I’m not that practiced at figuring out ranges of funding, or I’d like help in thinking about the need.

A: So far we have two identified mentors: David Bryant and Pascal Finette. David is obviously clueful about software, and he’s also signed on to assist with the topics of project needs, possible solutions and appropriate amounts. For those of you who don’t know Pascal Finette, he launched WebForward when he was a Mozilla employee and now runs Singularity University’s accelerator program. He has a long history and an abiding love of working with people to build things. He has great expertise in this type of task, matching by his abiding interest in contributing to Mozilla. We’ll look into adding to this list.

Q: What’s the evaluation process?

A: That’s in process. Input welcome.