Mozilla Foundation Fellowship 2027–2028: Up to $125,000 for Tech Builders

Applications are open for the Mozilla Foundation Fellowship 2027–2028, a 12-month programme supporting people building technology that serves communities and strengthens the open internet. Mozilla will award 10 fellowships, with funding of up to US$125,000 depending on the track.

Fellowship tracks and funding

Track I: Embedded Fellows

This track is for mid-career builders collaborating with a civil society host organization. Fellows receive US$75,000 as a stipend and US$25,000 for their project, totalling US$100,000. Hosts provide a community and mentorship while fellows contribute technical expertise to their mission.

The 2027 hosts are BASAibu (Indonesia), Fundación Kamanau (Chile), LAS Art Foundation (Germany), Quantum Village (United States), and Slum & Rural Health Initiative (Nigeria). Applicants must be able to work in time zones compatible with their chosen host; review the host-specific requirements in the full call.

Track II: Independent Fellows

Senior-level builders can pursue an independent project aligned with the programme’s focus areas. This track provides US$100,000 as a stipend and US$25,000 as a project budget, totalling US$125,000. Fellows are expected to turn their ideas into practical products, systems or other outputs that advance better technology futures.

Priority areas

• Neurotechnology, biotechnology and physical AI.
• Compute, energy, quantum and other emerging infrastructure.
• AI that improves people’s lives and independent, open approaches to AI safety.
• New business models for a web shaped by AI agents.
• Shared security and audit infrastructure for small organizations.
• Sovereign AI, public infrastructure and long-term maintenance.
• Creative advocacy, with one Independent Fellowship reserved for this area.
• Wildcard projects that offer a compelling alternative beyond the listed themes.

Who can apply?

The fellowship supports individuals. Applicants should demonstrate the skills and experience to deliver their proposed work within 12 months. Projects must serve a charitable purpose and create meaningful public benefit, and applicants must be legally able to receive grant funding from Mozilla Foundation.

Applications must be submitted in English. Translation tools are welcome, and ideas are evaluated rather than language quality. Embedded applicants should check the location and working-time requirements of their preferred host.

How to apply

1. Review the programme tracks, host organizations and full request for proposals.
2. Choose your track and explain your proposed project, target users, expected public benefit and quarterly milestones.
3. Include evidence of your work, such as a repository, demo, dataset, deployment, paper or performance recording.
4. Submit your Letter of Intent through the application portal before the deadline.

The Letter of Intent is the main review stage. Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full application. AI and translation tools may support brainstorming, clarity or translation, but submitted responses must reflect your own original work, ideas and voice. Disclose tool use as requested in the form.

Application timeline

• Letter of Intent: 17 December 2026, 11:59 PM Pacific (UTC−8).
• Full application invitations: 16 February 2027.
• Full application deadline, for invited applicants: 12 March 2027, 11:59 PM Pacific (UTC−8).
• Final applicants notified: 30 April 2027.
• Fellowship begins: 1 June 2027.

Apply for the Mozilla Fellowship ↗

Review the full programme details and RFP