We’ve been getting a lot of queries about when we’ll be doing our next round of Mozilla Science Mini-Grants so that must mean it’s time to put out another request for proposals!
We’re using a new grant application and processing system this time which will hopefully make the process easier for all involved. You will need to create an account at the link below to submit your proposal.
WHAT
We’re looking for proposals for projects focusing on Prototyping, Community Building, and/or Curriculum that enhance our broader community efforts toward open innovation, efficiency in regards to practicing open science (lower barriers, ease of use & integration, etc), and reproducibility (transparent research methods & results).
HOW MUCH
Grant awards will range from $2,000 – $5,000 USD.
WHEN
Grant-funded projects or activities should take place between April 1, 2018 and September 30, 2018. Applications may be submitted for projects lasting up to 6 months. Final reports will be due October 22nd, 2018.
Deadline for Letters of Intent will be Sunday, December 17th, 2017. Invitations for full proposals will be sent the week of January 15th, 2018. Deadlines for full proposals will be January 29th February 1st, 2018. Award notification by the week of March 5th, 2018.
The full RFP, the link to the application form, and link to the application guide are available below.
Apply now! Inspire us!
Request for Proposals for Mozilla Science Mini-Grants
Organizational Overview
Mozilla’s mission is to ensure the Internet is a global public resource, open and accessible to all. Our global network of of technologists, thinkers and builders work for a healthier Internet through core issues like: privacy and security, open innovation, decentralization, web literacy, and digital inclusion. Mozilla stands at the center of a complex web of people around the world, our focus for is to connect more people to each other to take action on Internet health.
The Mozilla Science Lab (MSL) seeks to identify, support and develop a community of leaders in the network with the aim to transform research and the culture around science to make it more accessible, transparent, and reproducible. MSL specifically focuses on making publicly funded research more open, collaborative, and beneficial by maximizing access and contribution to papers, data, code, and materials. We work to remove barriers -lack of familiarity with tools, skills gaps, and isolation – to make it easier for individuals and communities to make the leap to open practice.
Purpose of the Grant Program
Bridging the gap between early adopters of open science and the many scientists who value, but don’t have time to invest in learning about open is key to moving from science to open science. The 2018 MSL mini grant program invites applicants to submit project ideas that foster innovation and ultimately lead to more robust prototypes and products by expanding and enhancing the community of scientists who are working open. Supported projects will focus on one or more of the following:
- Prototyping – Building tools or documentation collaboratively with others. This can be open source code, documentation, tools and technologies used in data-driven science, scientific software, discovery tools (e.g., ways of searching code, hosting services, etc.)
- Community Building – These might include mentorship programs, workshops, meet-ups or other events that promote community engagement.
- Curriculum – Materials might include text, visuals, and video for online or in-person training.
All projects should specifically reflect priorities that enhance our broader community efforts toward open innovation, efficiency in regards to practicing open science (lower barriers, ease of use & integration, etc), and reproducibility (transparent research methods & results).
Eligibility Criteria
- Open to all individuals regardless of geographic location or institutional affiliation.
- All materials must be open source, shared under a Creative Commons license of CC-0 or CC-BY or equivalent, when licensing is required.
- Proposals must address one of three key areas: Prototyping, Community Building, or Curriculum. The brief application will require that they reflect an understanding of the work we are currently doing and articulate their own efforts within the needs of the broader community.
Guidelines/Instructions
Grant awards will range from $2,000 – $5,000 USD.
Grant-funded projects or activities should take place between April 1, 2018 and September 30, 2018.
Applications may be submitted for projects lasting up to 6 months.
Final reports will be due October 22nd, 2018.
Rules for Purchase of Equipment
If grant funds will be used to purchase equipment, at the end of the project the grantee agrees they must donate any equipment and materials purchased with grant funds to either (1) an organization that is both exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and an organization described in IRC section 509(a)(1), (2) or (3); or (2) a nonprofit organization organized under the laws of another country and complying substantially with the laws governing organizations exempt under 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1), (2) or (3) of the IRC.
Should the grantee wish to retain the equipment and materials beyond the grant term, the grantee must get prior approval from Mozilla and commit to using such equipment and materials exclusively for work substantially similar to the Mozilla Science Mini Grant-funded project. Grantee must also provide additional reporting on the use of the equipment as requested by Mozilla.
Deadline for Letters of Intent will be Sunday, December 17th, 2017. Invitations for full proposals will be sent the week of January 5th, 2018.
Deadlines for full proposals will be January 29th, 2018. Award notification by the week of March 5th, 2018.
Application instructions
Register and fill out a Project Support application form here: https://mozilla.fluxx.io
An application guide for filling out the form can be found here
Please contact sciencelab@mozillafoundation.org if you have any questions.
Funding Decisions
The Mozilla Science Team staff and our advisors will review applications and evaluate them according to guidelines reflecting priorities that enhance the broader community efforts for innovation, efficiency in regards to practicing open science (lower barriers, ease of use & integration, etc), and reproducibility (transparent research methods & results).
Not funded
MSL mini grants cannot be used to support:
- Political campaigns and lobbying activities.
- Fundraising activities
- Scholarships or tuition assistance.
These grants are made possible through the generous support of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation; awardees should provide acknowledgement of the support of Mozilla and of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation in any events or materials produced using grant funds.