Grants:Project/Wikimedia Research & Technology Fund/Wikimedia Research Fund/FAQ
Below are frequently asked questions about the 2025 Research Fund. We update this page regularly, so check back for new information.
Who we fund
[edit]Will early career researchers be supported?
Early career researchers with a history of publishing scholarly research on the Wikimedia projects can be supported by the Research Fund. Other early career researchers can be supported if they are part of a proposal written by an established researcher.
Will applicants new to Wikimedia research be supported?
Yes, applicants new to Wikimedia research can be supported by Research Funds as long as the team of individuals working on the project includes other established Wikimedia researchers or established Wikimedia community members who can support scoping the project to make it impactful for the research and Wikimedia communities.
Do you only fund academic researchers?
No. Applicants do not have to be affiliated with an academic institution in order to be considered for funding. We do require a history of scholarly publication from the primary applicant and others in the application as relevant.
I am looking for collaborators for a proposal I am working on. Where can I find potentially interested people?
We encourage you to review the list of people who identify as part of the Wikimedia research community and reach out to the relevant people depending on your needs and their interests: Research:People.
Can a for-profit company apply for a grant?
Our grant programs are limited to registered non-profit organizations and individuals. To be eligible, organizations must provide documentation proving their non-profit or charitable status.
If your organization operates as a for-profit entity but typically receives non-profit funding through project-based audits, you would need to explore alternative options:
- Fiscal Sponsorship: Partner with a registered non-profit organization that can receive the funds on your the grantee's behalf. The grantee would be the individual or team of individuals who plan to implement the activities of the grant. We can provide a sample agreement for review. More details on fiscal sponsorships can be found here.
- Individual or Group Grant: Apply as an individual or group and receive the funds directly, though this may have tax implications for the recipient(s).
What we fund and what we do not fund
[edit]Why did you change the types of projects you fund in 2025?
The Research Funds are limited and the research needs of the Movement are vast. To maximize impact, we’ve refined our funding approach. We continue to support one-year research proposals, as in previous years. In addition, we now offer funding for extended research projects as well as event and community-building initiatives to better support longer-term work and increase collaboration within the Wikimedia research community.
Does the fund support hybrid projects that include research and project functionality improvements?
For Type 1 and 2 proposals the primary focus of the proposal should be research to inform important decisions or processes by the communities, or to advance the understanding of the Wikimedia projects through scholarly work. While projects may result in experimental tools or technologies, the emphasis should be on the research questions and findings rather than developing a product or feature for Wikimedia projects.
What is the percentage of institutional overheads that can be included in the budget proposal? Are there any guidelines?
Up to 15% of the budget can be allocated towards institutional overhead.
Eligibility criteria
[edit]Can I submit multiple proposals for more than one type of grant?
Yes, you may submit more than one proposal and for multiple types of grants. For example, you may submit a proposal for a research project whose scope is 1 year under Type 1 and a proposal for a project that is longer under Type 2. You can only submit each proposal to one grant type (no multi-submissions of the same proposal).
When should I submit to the Research Fund versus other WMF funding programs (e.g., Community, or Alliances)?
The Research Fund is for projects where the primary goals and outputs will be research. Although research might involve building or evaluating technologies, this should be in the service of answering research questions, not an end in itself. Additionally, we accept proposals about outreach or community building. We expect that the primary outputs of most funded projects will be things like research papers, presentations, research prototypes, and reports.
What are the eligibility criteria for applicants?
Applicants should either be established Wikimedia researchers or established researchers looking to engage with Wikimedia research. The grant supports research projects and research community building, not product development.
I have previously worked with Wikimedia Foundation (WMF). Does that affect my eligibility?
Prior collaboration with Wikimedia organizations may affect eligibility. For more information, please visit the Wikimedia Research Fund Eligibility Section.
I am currently involved in another WMF grant (not research-related) and am one of the signatories. Does this affect my eligibility?
No, as long as you do not exceed the grant limits. Individuals can have up to three open grants at a time, and groups or organizations can have up to five open grants. See more details at: Wikimedia Research Fund Eligibility Section.
How we fund
[edit]How do you determine the grant amounts funded?
We determine the final grant amount based on the budget proposed by the applicant and based on our overall budget constraints. We ask you to request funds only for the amount that you need to make your proposed research a reality and do not aim to necessarily reach the limit of the category you are submitting for. As a rule of thumb: the higher the budget you ask, the higher our expectation for your proposal to be comprehensive and impactful and the budget to be detailed. Higher budget generally translates to more scrutiny towards your application for us to assure we are distributing the funds in the best way we can.
Are reviews shared with applicants?
Yes, all applicants will receive copies of their technical and community reviews. We provide these so that applicants can incorporate feedback into their projects and that unfunded applicants can consider this feedback if re-applying to this program in the future or other funding opportunities.
What does a successful proposal look like?
A successful proposal will have the potential for direct, positive impact on either the global or local Wikimedia communities.
You can review previously funded projects at the research fund archive page.
Are groups/individuals without previous published research work eligible to apply?
We don't require previous published research work in order to apply and be considered for the fund. However, as mentioned in the previous question, we expect applicants to have a background in research and interest in Wikimedia research specifically.
Do certain types of organizations or locations have a higher chance of receiving funding?
We do not prioritize one region over another. However, we aim to support applicants with less access to funding or those from underrepresented communities. This does not mean we exclude applicants from any given region. The quality of the submission remains a key factor in decision-making.
Can hardware costs be included in the budget?
Yes, but only if they are essential for the research. Applicants should expect to justify the necessity of hardware (and other items noted in their budget) for their project.
I am a Wikimedia affiliate or working with one. How does this impact funding considerations?
We encourage researchers unfamiliar with Wikimedia projects to collaborate with organized groups within the movement, including affiliates, in order to strengthen the research produced. Affiliates are welcome to apply to the Research Fund but we expect them to clearly show why they need this grant compared to and given other sources of funding that they receive from WMF.
Office Hours
[edit]I have an idea for a project and I’d like to receive some feedback on it. How can I do this?
We invite you to schedule 1:1 consultations with us to ask questions about the Research Fund program or the relevance of your proposed work. Schedule a session with Kinneret Gordon or schedule a session with Leila Zia. When scheduling your appointment, please provide a description of your proposed research topic or question.
Organizing Committee
[edit]What is the composition of the Research Fund committee and how were they chosen?
The Research Fund committee consists of two committee co-chairs who are in charge of developing the evaluation and review process as well as recruiting the reviewers. For the past years, the committee chairs have been Leila Zia (Head of Research, Wikimedia Foundation) and Benjamin Mako Hill (Assistant Professor, University of Washington). Leila Zia is invited by the Community Resources team and Benjamin Mako Hill is invited by Leila.