Dear Wikimedians,

We are pleased to announce initial eligibility of applicants submitting a Letter of Intent for 2016-2017 Round 1 of the Annual Plan Grants / FDC process. Only applicants confirmed as eligible by 15 September 2016 may submit proposals to the Funds Dissemination Committee by the 1 October 2016 proposal deadline. We have published the initial eligibility checklist here, so that applicants may review eligibility before it is confirmed on 15 September 2016:

http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:APG/Eligibility/2016-2017_round1.

Of the eleven organizations submitting a Letter of Intent, all are already considered eligible provided they continue to meet eligibility requirements throughout the duration of the FDC process. During the next two months, FDC staff will work with all potential applicants to make sure eligibility requirements are maintained.

Please expect another update once eligibility is finally confirmed on 15 September 2016, leading up to the 1 October 2016 proposal deadline. Proposal forms will be available by 1 October 2016.

Here is a breakdown of upcoming milestones for 2016-2017 Round 1, which you may also find here: http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:APG/Calendar.

* Eligibility confirmed: 15 September 2016 * Proposals due: by 1 October 2016 * Community review: 1 October 2016 - 31 October 2016 * Staff assessments published: by 8 November 2016 * FDC deliberations: middle of November 2016 * FDC recommendation published: by 1 December 2016 * Board decision: by 1 January 2017 * Start of new grant terms: 1 January 2017 (for most grantees)

We welcome your questions or comments about the Annual Plan Grants / FDC process at any time: http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:APG/Comments. Feel free also to reach out to us over email at FDCsupport@wikimedia.org. We would be happy to speak with any organization about specific questions they may have about eligibility.

Best regards from FDC staff!