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?
-
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?
-
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?
-
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?
-
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?
-
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?
-
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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