Mozilla Foundation Fellowships 2027–2028

The Mozilla Foundation Fellowships 2027–2028 offer international innovators an opportunity to develop ambitious technology projects that promote public benefit, strengthen communities and contribute to a more open and accessible technological future.

Organised by the Mozilla Foundation, the programme will support 10 fellows over a 12-month period beginning on 1 June 2027.

The fellowship is designed for individuals building promising technologies or challenging existing approaches to how technology is developed and governed. Mozilla particularly welcomes people working on ideas that traditional funding programmes may consider too early, unconventional or ambitious.

Selected fellows undertake independent, mission-driven projects while benefiting from funding, mentorship, professional development and access to Mozilla's international network.

The programme offers two fellowship tracks.

Track I: Embedded Fellows

Embedded Fellows collaborate with a participating civil society organisation to address a community-focused technology challenge.

The 2027–2028 host organisations are:

• BASAibu — Indonesia
• Fundación Kamanau — Chile
• LAS Art Foundation — Germany
• Quantum Village — United States
• Slum & Rural Health Initiative — Nigeria

Each host organisation has a particular research or technology challenge. Fellows develop their projects in collaboration with their selected host while retaining responsibility for their own work.

Track II: Independent Fellows

Independent Fellows pursue their own ambitious projects focused on developing better technology systems, tools, infrastructure or approaches.

This track particularly targets experienced innovators with demonstrated technical expertise and independent leadership.

Research and Innovation Focus Areas

The 2027–2028 fellowship call identifies eight areas:

• Neurotechnology, biotechnology and physical AI
• Computing, energy, quantum technology and hard infrastructure
• AI innovation that increases public benefit
• New business models for the evolving web
• Shared cybersecurity and technology-auditing infrastructure
• Sovereign AI, public infrastructure and technology maintenance
• Creative Advocacy
• Wildcard projects addressing emerging technological challenges

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Apply as an individual rather than as a team.
• Have a proposed project that serves a charitable purpose and creates meaningful public benefit.
• Be legally eligible to receive funding from the US-based Mozilla Foundation.
• Have access to a bank account capable of receiving the fellowship payments.
• Be able to undertake and complete the proposed project during the 12-month fellowship.
• Be available for relevant fellowship meetings, activities and community engagement.
• Submit their application in English.
• Demonstrate technical knowledge, relevant experience or the ability to carry out their proposed project.
• Be willing to develop outputs that others can use or build upon and share appropriate work openly.
• Meet the additional requirements of their chosen fellowship track.

Track-specific considerations

• Embedded Fellows must be able to collaborate with their chosen host organisation across compatible time zones.
• Embedded Fellows should propose work responding to the host organisation's identified challenge.
• Independent Fellows should propose a project within one of the programme's eight areas, including Wildcard.
• Independent Fellowships particularly target experienced innovators with a record of independent leadership.

International eligibility

Applicants do not need US citizenship, permanent residency or independent US work authorisation to receive the funding.

However, Mozilla cannot fund applicants affected by applicable US sanctions restrictions or other legal exclusions described in its grant eligibility guidelines.

Successful applicants receive financial and professional support according to their fellowship track.

Track I — Embedded Fellows

• $75,000 personal stipend.
• $25,000 project budget.
• Total funding package: $100,000.
• Collaboration with an established civil society host organisation.
• Mentorship and community connections through the host organisation.

Track II — Independent Fellows

• $100,000 personal stipend.
• $25,000 project budget.
• Total funding package: $125,000.
• Freedom to develop an independent, mission-aligned technology project.
• Professional development and access to Mozilla's wider network.

Additional Fellowship Benefits

• Monthly Stipend Payments: Personal stipends are generally paid monthly.
• Travel Support: Travel and accommodation for official fellowship gatherings are covered by Mozilla Foundation.
• Project Expenses: The project budget can support eligible research, computing resources, project-related travel and accommodation.
• Leadership Development: Coaching and workshops designed for technical professionals.
• Dedicated Mentorship: Support from a programme manager and senior curricular adviser.
• Professional Networking: Connections with Mozilla teams, technology specialists and international innovators.
• Global Exposure: Opportunities to present and discuss work through Mozilla events and platforms.
• Tax Advice Support: Up to $500 for independent tax advice.
• Alumni Network: Ongoing connection to Mozilla's international fellowship community.

The first application stage is an online Letter of Intent rather than a conventional document-based scholarship application.

Applicants should prepare the following information:

• Personal Information: Full name, contact details and current location.
• Professional Background: Current role, organisation or professional affiliation.
• Relevant Experience: A summary of previous professional, technical or research work.
• Fellowship Track: Selection of Embedded or Independent Fellowship.
• Project Title: A concise title for the proposed project.
• Project Summary: An explanation of the idea and intended outcomes.
• Target Beneficiaries: Information about the people or communities expected to benefit.
• Project Development Stage: Details of existing progress, prototypes or early implementation.
• Project Milestones: A proposed timeline with anticipated deliverables.
• Public Benefit Statement: An explanation of the project's charitable purpose.
• Technical Expertise: Relevant skills and experience.
• Motivation: Why the applicant wants to join the Mozilla Fellowship.
• Supporting Work Links: Relevant repositories, demos, publications, portfolios or similar examples, where available.

Applicants must also complete the relevant eligibility declarations and disclose any AI or translation tool use as requested by the form.

Mozilla Foundation assesses proposals based on the following considerations:

• Innovation: Whether the idea addresses an emerging challenge or presents a meaningful alternative to existing technology.
• Public Benefit: Who will benefit from the work and why it matters.
• Technical Capability: The applicant's demonstrated ability to build, develop or deliver the proposed project.
• Feasibility: Whether the project has a realistic plan and achievable outcomes within 12 months.
• Community Participation: How affected communities influence the project's development and governance.
• Fellowship Contribution: What the applicant can contribute to and learn from the international cohort.
• Leadership Potential: Whether the fellowship could help the applicant become an influential voice in their field.
• Evidence of Previous Work: Relevant prototypes, repositories, research, deployments or other examples of completed work.
• Cohort Diversity: A balance of geographical backgrounds, communities and technical approaches.

Mozilla also values applicants who demonstrate originality, rigorous technical work and community-focused thinking.

• Develop an ambitious idea: Work on technology projects that may not fit conventional funding programmes.
• Build practical solutions: Focus on creating tools, systems or resources that others can use.
• Gain international exposure: Collaborate with innovators and researchers from different countries.
• Strengthen leadership skills: Benefit from coaching, mentoring and professional development.
• Access technical networks: Build connections with Mozilla teams and technology communities.
• Create public impact: Develop technology designed to benefit people and communities.
• Advance your career: Gain experience and visibility that may support future research, entrepreneurship or public-interest technology work.