Hello Wikimedians,

I’m writing to announce the next opportunity for funding through the Project Grants program, and to share changes in how review will happen in the coming year and beyond.

Background context:

Over the past few months, the Wikimedia Foundation has begun work on a new strategy for how we will structure our grants programs in the future, with the goal of aligning more closely with the Wikimedia Movement’s 2030 Strategic Direction [1]. We’ve been having conversations with many stakeholders in the Wikimedia community and we’re in the process of brainstorming about possible frameworks to improve how we make grants. This coming year, 2021, will be an experimental year in which we will pilot some smaller changes as we move toward a larger redesign process later in the year and beyond.

How do I learn more about applying for project funding through Project Grants?

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You can learn more about the guidelines for the Project Grants program here: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Project/Learn -

You can learn more about how to plan for a project proposal here: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Project/Plan -

You can learn about how to apply here: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Project/Apply

What will change in the grant review process for Project Grants in 2021?

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In previous rounds, all Project Grant proposals have been reviewed in one round, inclusive of proposals related to four themes: research, software, and online and offline community organizing. In 2021, we will experiment with offering two separate and dedicated rounds. One will be focused on online and offline community organizing. A second round will focus on review of research and software grant proposals. -

By offering separate, dedicated rounds, we hope to offer more tailored support for applicants, with better integration with staff in the Wikimedia Foundation who have relevant expertise, and with more focused Committee recruitment to improve the quality of proposal review. We also hope it will reduce the burden on volunteer committee reviewers in any given round.

When will community organizing grant proposals be accepted?

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The open call will launch January 11, and the submission deadline is February 10, 2021. -

The full schedule is posted here: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Project

When will software and research grant proposals be accepted in 2021?

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The open call will launch February 15, and the submission deadline is March 16, 2021. -

The full schedule is posted here: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Project

How will this affect currently funded Project Grants?

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Our intention is to make sure that current projects will not be interrupted by this change, both with regard to current or planned work.

Will there be other changes coming in the future?

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After these rounds, we expect bigger changes for Project Grants. -

We are currently in a strategic design process and have been actively engaging many stakeholders from around the world to help us think about what these changes should look like. -

Once we have draft frameworks ready, there will be opportunities for feedback from Wikimedia community members before any decisions are finalized. We will keep you updated!

Please let us know if you have any questions about these changes or if you would like to learn more about how to get involved in the strategic redesign process for Project Grants.

Warm regards,

Marti

[1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_2030

*Marti Johnson*

*Pronouns: she/her/hersProgram Officer* *Individual Grants* *Wikimedia Foundation http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Home* *1 Montgomery, Ste. 1600* *San Francisco, CA 94104* +1 415-839-6885 Skype: Mjohnson_WMF

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