The Mozilla Foundation is accepting applications for its 2027–2028 Fellowship, themed “Imagining a future worth building”. It will award 10 fellowships worth up to US$125,000 each for 12 months to technologists, researchers, builders and creative activists working on bold, people-first technology. The first step is a short Letter of Intent, due on 17 December 2026.
Mozilla says anyone can apply directly, and nominations (including self-nominations) are also accepted. Fellows join a global network of more than 200 former Mozilla Fellows.
Key Details
- Funder: Mozilla Foundation
- Places: 10 fellowships
- Duration: 12 months, starting 1 June 2027
- Funding: US$100,000 (Embedded) or US$125,000 (Independent)
- First deadline: Letter of Intent by 17 December 2026, 11:59 pm Pacific (08:59 WAT / 10:59 EAT on 18 December)
Benefits: Two Fellowship Tracks
- Track I – Embedded Fellows: work on a project with, and backed by, a civil society host organisation that provides mentorship. US$100,000 total: a US$75,000 stipend plus a US$25,000 project budget.
- Track II – Independent Fellows: pursue your most ambitious idea independently and turn it into products, systems or tools. US$125,000 total: a US$100,000 stipend plus a US$25,000 project budget.
All fellows join Mozilla’s global network. Nearly 30% of past fellows went on to found an organisation.
Focus Areas for 2027–2028
- neurotechnology, biotechnology and physical AI — with communities keeping control
- hard infrastructure: compute, energy, quantum, space and the deep sea
- “raising p(bloom)”: AI that makes life better for more people, and less gatekeeping
- business models for a post-agentic web that protect creators and the open internet
- shared security and audit tools for small organisations
- sovereign AI and public digital infrastructure communities can run themselves
- creative advocacy — one Independent Fellowship for an artist or creative activist
- a Wildcard option for ideas that fit none of these
African builders working on community-owned AI, local-language technology, affordable cybersecurity or public digital infrastructure could be strong fits.
Eligibility
- individuals working on technology that is “too early, too unexpected or too ambitious” for other funders
- builders who want technology to serve people and put control back with users
- Embedded track: a project with a civil society host organisation
- Independent track: a clear, ambitious idea you will build over 12 months
Read Mozilla’s full Request for Proposals (RFP) on the official page for detailed eligibility and host organisations before applying.
Timeline
- 17 December 2026: Letter of Intent deadline
- 16 February 2027: shortlisted applicants invited to submit a full application
- 12 March 2027: full application deadline
- 30 April 2027: final applicants notified
- 1 June 2027: fellowship begins
How to Apply
- Read the call and the full RFP on the official Mozilla Fellowship page.
- Choose your track (Embedded or Independent) and focus area, or apply as a Wildcard.
- Submit your Letter of Intent before 17 December 2026 — this is the main review stage.
- If shortlisted, submit the full application by 12 March 2027.
Tips
- Pitch the bold version of your idea, not an incremental one — Mozilla says so explicitly.
- Explain who controls the technology and how communities benefit.
- Show what you have already built: code, prototypes, research or campaigns.
- Keep the Letter of Intent clear and concrete; most of the selection happens there.
Related Opportunities
- Gates Foundation AI Fellows Program (Africa)
- AIRC Non-Resident Research Fellowship in AI and Social Sciences 2027
- WINGS Communications Coordinator 2026 (Remote)
Letter of Intent deadline: 17 December 2026.
