Mozilla Foundation Fellowship 2027–2028

The Mozilla Foundation Fellowship 2027–2028 is an exciting international opportunity for technology innovators, researchers, developers, digital rights advocates, and independent builders who want to create technology that benefits society. Offered by the Mozilla Foundation, the programme will award 10 fellowships for 2027–2028, providing successful candidates with up to $125,000 USD in funding over 12 months.

The fellowship supports individuals developing ambitious technology projects that promote digital rights, open-source innovation, artificial intelligence, privacy, cybersecurity, public-interest technology, and community-driven digital infrastructure. It supports people building alternatives to existing technology systems and ensuring technology remains accessible, transparent, and accountable to the communities it serves.

For the 2027–2028 cohort, Mozilla has identified several priority areas, including neurotechnology, biotechnology, physical AI, computing infrastructure, quantum technology, responsible AI, digital business models, cybersecurity, sovereign AI, and creative advocacy. Applicants whose projects do not fit these categories may also apply under the Wildcard category.

The programme offers two fellowship tracks: Embedded Fellows and Independent Fellows. Embedded Fellows collaborate with selected civil society organizations and receive a total funding package of $100,000, consisting of a $75,000 stipend and a $25,000 project budget. Independent Fellows receive up to $125,000, consisting of a $100,000 stipend and a $25,000 project budget.

Beyond financial support, fellows gain access to an international professional network, technical mentorship, leadership development, coaching, workshops, and opportunities to present their work through Mozilla’s platforms. The fellowship is primarily remote and runs for 12 months, beginning June 1, 2027.

The Mozilla Foundation Fellowship is open to individuals who can legally receive the funding and demonstrate that their proposed work serves a charitable purpose and creates meaningful public benefit. Applicants do not need to be university students or work for nonprofit organizations.

Degree Level

The Mozilla Foundation Fellowship 2027–2028 is not a conventional academic scholarship and does not require enrolment in a university degree programme.

It is a professional fellowship open to eligible individuals at different career stages, including:

Early-Career Technology Builders
Mid-Career Professionals
Senior Technology Innovators
Independent Researchers
Software Developers and Engineers
Digital Rights Advocates
Artificial Intelligence Researchers
Cybersecurity Specialists
Technology Entrepreneurs
Creative Technologists and Campaigners

Both students and employed professionals may apply if they can meet the fellowship’s project and participation requirements.

Available Subjects

The fellowship supports projects across the following technology and innovation areas:

Artificial Intelligence
Neurotechnology
Biotechnology
Physical Artificial Intelligence
Robotics
Computing Infrastructure
Energy Technology
Quantum Computing
Open-Source Technology
Responsible AI Development
AI Safety and Public-Interest Research
Cybersecurity
Digital Privacy
Digital Rights
Web Infrastructure
Decentralized Technologies
Sovereign AI
Public Digital Infrastructure
Data Governance
Technology Policy
Creative Advocacy
Digital Innovation and Community Technology

The 2027–2028 cohort focuses on eight major areas:

Neurotech, biotech, and physical AI.
Hard infrastructure: compute, energy, quantum, and the extremes.
Raising p(bloom): developing AI that creates positive benefits for people and communities.
Business models for a post-agentic web.
Shared security and audit infrastructure for small organizations.
Sovereign AI, public infrastructure, and maintenance.
Creative Advocacy.
Wildcard projects addressing emerging technology challenges outside the listed categories.

Benefits

The Mozilla Foundation Fellowship 2027–2028 provides substantial financial and professional support through two fellowship tracks.

Track I: Embedded Fellows

Selected Embedded Fellows receive a total funding package of $100,000 USD, divided into:

$75,000 USD stipend.
$25,000 USD project budget.

Additional benefits include:

Collaboration with an established civil society host organization.
Mentorship and technical guidance.
Access to a professional community and relevant stakeholders.
Opportunities to develop technology solutions addressing real community challenges.
Support in turning technical expertise into meaningful public impact.

The participating host organizations are BASAibu (Indonesia), Fundación Kamanau (Chile), LAS Foundation (Germany), Quantum Village (United States), and Slum & Rural Health Initiative (Nigeria).

Track II: Independent Fellows

Selected Independent Fellows receive a total funding package of $125,000 USD, divided into:

$100,000 USD stipend.
$25,000 USD project budget.

Additional benefits include:

Freedom to develop an independent technology project.
Access to Mozilla’s international network of more than 200 former and current fellows.
Technical mentorship and expert guidance.
Leadership coaching and professional development workshops.
Opportunities to connect with technology experts, innovators, and potential collaborators.
Access to Mozilla’s professional networks and platforms.
Opportunities to showcase projects through Mozilla Festival and other Mozilla platforms.

Additional Fellowship Benefits

Both fellowship tracks provide:

A 12-month fellowship experience.
Remote participation opportunities.
All-expenses-paid travel to key Mozilla Foundation events, including the July 2027 Fellows Kick-off and MozFest 2027.
Regular one-to-one support from a programme manager and senior curricular advisor.
Approximately 5–10 hours per month of fellowship community activities, in addition to work on the fellow’s own project.
Access to a global network of technology innovators and researchers.
Opportunities to publish and share open-source tools, research, datasets, and educational resources.
Up to $500 USD for independent tax advice.

The $25,000 project budget can support eligible project-related expenses, including computing resources, research activities, travel, and accommodation. Individual hardware items must not exceed $5,000 USD under the published guidelines.

Stipends are generally paid monthly. The fellowship does not represent a university tuition scholarship or a guaranteed accommodation allowance.

Eligible Nationalities

The Mozilla Foundation Fellowship welcomes applications from international technology innovators and builders. Applicants do not need to be citizens or permanent residents of the United States.

Candidates from countries around the world may be considered, provided they can legally receive grant funding from the Mozilla Foundation and satisfy the applicable eligibility requirements.

Important: International eligibility does not mean funding can be sent to every country without restrictions. Applicants must confirm that they can legally receive Mozilla Foundation funding in their country of residence and during the fellowship period. Embedded Fellows must also meet the location and time-zone requirements of their selected host organization.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Mozilla Foundation Fellowship 2027–2028, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Applicants must apply as individuals. The fellowship does not directly fund teams or organizations.
Candidates must be legally eligible to receive grant and stipend funding from the Mozilla Foundation.
Applicants must propose a project that advances the Mozilla Foundation’s charitable mission and creates meaningful public benefit.
Candidates should demonstrate relevant professional experience, technical expertise, research achievements, or a proven record of building meaningful projects.
Applicants must demonstrate the ability to complete their proposed project within the 12-month fellowship period.
Candidates should have a clear understanding of the communities or users who will benefit from their proposed work.
Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to community-driven innovation and making their work accessible to the public.
Candidates must be willing to participate in the fellowship community, including virtual meetings, workshops, and other programme activities.
Applicants must be comfortable communicating and working in English.
Candidates must be available to participate in the fellowship beginning June 1, 2027.
Applicants must be able to work openly and share relevant project outputs, documentation, or other public-facing resources.
Candidates must satisfy the requirements of their selected fellowship track.

Additional Requirements for Embedded Fellows

Applicants selecting the Embedded Fellows track must:

Demonstrate relevant technical expertise and experience.
Select one of the five participating host organizations.
Propose a project addressing a challenge identified by the selected host organization.
Be located in Chile, Germany, Indonesia, Nigeria, or the United States, or be able to work flexibly as a remote fellow across compatible time zones.
Meet the selected host organization’s time-zone and collaboration requirements.

Additional Requirements for Independent Fellows

Applicants selecting the Independent Fellows track should:

Have a strong record of independent leadership and innovation.
Demonstrate exceptional technical ability and relevant professional achievements.
Propose an ambitious project within one of the fellowship’s focus areas or the Wildcard category.
Show how the project can produce meaningful public benefits.
Demonstrate the ability to develop a working product, system, research output, or other meaningful project deliverable during the fellowship.

Independent Fellows are generally expected to be more experienced and recognized innovators with the potential to lead significant developments in their fields.

Important: U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or independent U.S. work authorization is not required. However, legal eligibility to receive funding in the applicant’s country is mandatory.

Required Documents

To qualify for the Mozilla Foundation Fellowship 2027–2028, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Applicants must apply as individuals. The fellowship does not directly fund teams or organizations.
Candidates must be legally eligible to receive grant and stipend funding from the Mozilla Foundation.
Applicants must propose a project that advances the Mozilla Foundation’s charitable mission and creates meaningful public benefit.
Candidates should demonstrate relevant professional experience, technical expertise, research achievements, or a proven record of building meaningful projects.
Applicants must demonstrate the ability to complete their proposed project within the 12-month fellowship period.
Candidates should have a clear understanding of the communities or users who will benefit from their proposed work.
Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to community-driven innovation and making their work accessible to the public.
Candidates must be willing to participate in the fellowship community, including virtual meetings, workshops, and other programme activities.
Applicants must be comfortable communicating and working in English.
Candidates must be available to participate in the fellowship beginning June 1, 2027.
Applicants must be able to work openly and share relevant project outputs, documentation, or other public-facing resources.
Candidates must satisfy the requirements of their selected fellowship track.

Additional Requirements for Embedded Fellows

Applicants selecting the Embedded Fellows track must:

Demonstrate relevant technical expertise and experience.
Select one of the five participating host organizations.
Propose a project addressing a challenge identified by the selected host organization.
Be located in Chile, Germany, Indonesia, Nigeria, or the United States, or be able to work flexibly as a remote fellow across compatible time zones.
Meet the selected host organization’s time-zone and collaboration requirements.

Additional Requirements for Independent Fellows

Applicants selecting the Independent Fellows track should:

Have a strong record of independent leadership and innovation.
Demonstrate exceptional technical ability and relevant professional achievements.
Propose an ambitious project within one of the fellowship’s focus areas or the Wildcard category.
Show how the project can produce meaningful public benefits.
Demonstrate the ability to develop a working product, system, research output, or other meaningful project deliverable during the fellowship.

Independent Fellows are generally expected to be more experienced and recognized innovators with the potential to lead significant developments in their fields.

Important: U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or independent U.S. work authorization is not required. However, legal eligibility to receive funding in the applicant’s country is mandatory.

How Winners Are Selected

The Mozilla Foundation Fellowship is highly competitive, with only 10 fellowships available for the 2027–2028 cohort.

Applications are assessed through a multi-stage evaluation process. The selection team considers the applicant’s experience, proposed project, technical capabilities, potential public impact, and alignment with Mozilla’s mission.

The main evaluation criteria include:

Innovation and originality: Whether the proposed project addresses an emerging technological challenge or introduces a meaningful alternative to existing systems.
Technical capability: Whether the applicant has the experience and ability to develop and deliver the proposed project.
Public benefit: Whether the project creates meaningful benefits for individuals, communities, or society.
Community involvement: Whether the people affected by the technology can participate in shaping and governing the project.
Project feasibility: Whether the proposed work can be completed within the 12-month fellowship period.
Leadership potential: Whether the applicant can become an influential voice in their field and contribute to the future of technology.

Mozilla also considers the diversity of geographical backgrounds, communities, and technical approaches when forming the final fellowship cohort.

The initial Letter of Intent stage is the primary screening process. Only a limited number of applicants will be invited to submit a full application.

Application Procedure

Interested applicants must first submit a Letter of Intent through the official Mozilla Foundation application portal.

Follow these steps to apply:

Visit the official Mozilla Foundation Fellowship 2027–2028 application page.
Read the full Call for Applications and Request for Proposals (RFP) carefully to understand the programme’s focus areas, funding structure, host organizations, and eligibility requirements.
Decide whether to apply for the Embedded Fellows or Independent Fellows track.
Select a relevant focus area or host organization according to your professional experience and proposed project.
Prepare your professional profile, including your current role, relevant experience, technical skills, and public portfolio.
Develop a clear project idea explaining the problem, intended users, proposed solution, expected impact, and project milestones.
Complete the Letter of Intent form with your personal information, professional background, project details, and fellowship preferences.
Provide evidence of your previous work through relevant public links, such as a GitHub repository, project demonstration, research publication, or portfolio.
Explain how your project will create meaningful public benefit and how you intend to make your work openly available.
Review the application carefully and submit the Letter of Intent before December 17, 2026.
Wait for the selection team’s decision. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full application on February 16, 2027.
Complete and submit the full application before March 12, 2027, if invited.
Monitor your email for further communication and final selection results.

The application must be completed in English. Translation tools may be used for assistance, but submitted responses must reflect the applicant’s own ideas, experience, and original work. Mozilla may review applications that appear to be heavily or entirely AI-generated.

Application Deadlines

The Mozilla Foundation Fellowship 2027–2028 follows a multi-stage application process.

The important dates are:

October 20, 2026: Letter of Intent application portal opens.
December 17, 2026: Letter of Intent submission deadline at 11:59 PM Pacific Time (UTC-8).
February 16, 2027: Shortlisted applicants invited to submit full applications.
March 12, 2027: Full application deadline at 11:59 PM Pacific Time (UTC-8).
April 30, 2027: Final applicants notified.
June 1, 2027: Fellowship begins.
June 1, 2028: Completion of the 12-month fellowship period.