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MOSS
,Clarify terminology
==Program Overview==
Mozilla Open Source Support (MOSS) is a grant an awards program specifically focused on supporting the [http://opensource.org/osd Open Source] and [http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.en.html Free Software] movement, with an initial allocation of USD $1 million.
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. We have had an ad-hoc grants program for many years. MOSS is a systematic way to provide a new level of support to this community.
===Project Criteria===
Projects which Mozilla uses or relies on and who are in need of funds are welcome to apply for an award. Awards should be jointly submitted by the leader of a project and an established Mozillian who will champion the grantaward. The project/people need to meet the following criteria:
* Grant Award 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 award request is just as valid as a $50,000 or $100,000 request.
* 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.
* The Mozillian champion may be (but does not need to be) a project contributor to the project they are championing.
* The Mozillian champion must vouch for the usefulness of the software, commit to monitoring the project, and report on the effectiveness of the grant award after the money is spent (perhaps using a standardized form). They will also make themselves available to the application evaluation committee to help them assess the appropriateness of the grant award to the needs of the project.
We expect the vast majority of MOSS grants awards to be singular rather than regular - that is, support for doing a particular defined thing, rather than ongoing support for a project in general. However a previous award proposal, successful or unsuccessful, does not disqualify a project from applying again.
===Selection Criteria===
** This includes reputation in technical, inclusion and other areas
** Is the project known for something besides the code we are relying on?
* Will this grant award make a significant impact on the project?
* Is the level of funding appropriate for the task to be accomplished?
* Does the person (or group) who will receive the money have a track record of delivering?
* reviews the effectiveness of the award funds after an agreed upon period, to help Mozilla improve the effectiveness and impact of the MOSS program.
This review process might involve answering a set of standard assessment questions at the mid-point and at the end of the grant award period, and giving your written opinion of the overall success of the award. The time commitment should not be massive, but it will require thoughtfulness and honesty.
;What if the project I care most about doesn’t have a legal organizational home? I see this is disfavored and exceptional circumstances are required. What might count as "exceptional"?
