Surge and Sustain Fund
Supports the user carrying costs of established, large-scale circumvention technologies so that tens of millions of people in China, Cuba, Iran, Myanmar, Russia, and other authoritarian contexts can securely and reliably access the uncensored internet.
Detail
At a glance
- What it coversServer infrastructure costs only. Development and staff costs are excluded.
- How it paysMonthly payments based on verified monthly active users multiplied by a contracted cost-per-user, with monthly ceilings. Annual re-competition is intended.
- Key datesApplications opened September 15, 2026 · questions by September 28, 2026 · Concept Note deadline October 15, 2026 · anticipated contract start April 1, 2027.
- ProcessTwo stages: Concept Note, then Proposal.
- Who can applyIndividuals or organisations aged 18 or over, not in OFAC-restricted countries.
Status: Concept Notes due October 15, 2026
Applications are made on OTF's own application system. The Applicant Guidebook explains the guidelines, the Concept Note and Proposal guides and the evaluation criteria in one place.