SH

Shuttleworth Foundation Fellowship

Global

by Shuttleworth Foundation

A fellowship investing in open-knowledge innovators with a unique co-investment model that scales funding as the fellow demonstrates impact.

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Funding

$275,000 per year (salary + project funding)

Duration

1 year, renewable up to 3 years

Geography

Global

Eligibility

Open to individuals worldwide with an idea for advancing social change through open approaches (open source, open data, open access, etc.). No formal degree required. Applicants must commit to working full-time on their fellowship project and releasing all outputs under open licenses.

Application

Biannual (March and September intakes)

Deadline

Rolling — reviewed in March and September

Open SourceSocial ImpactEntrepreneurshipDeep Tech

About This Fellowship

The Shuttleworth Foundation Fellowship is a unique program that invests in individuals working at the intersection of openness, social change, and innovation. Founded by Mark Shuttleworth (the entrepreneur behind Ubuntu and Canonical), the Foundation believes that open approaches — open source, open data, open access, open government — are essential to solving the world's most pressing challenges.

The fellowship model is distinctive: each Fellow receives a $100,000 annual salary plus access to a project fund of up to $175,000 per year. Critically, the project funding operates on a co-investment basis. For every dollar the Fellow raises independently, the Foundation matches with additional project funds. This structure rewards Fellows who can attract external validation and support for their ideas.

Fellowships are initially granted for one year and can be renewed up to two additional years based on demonstrated progress and impact. The Foundation takes a high-trust approach: Fellows have significant autonomy in how they deploy their project funds, and the reporting requirements emphasize learning and iteration over rigid milestones.

What You Get

The Shuttleworth Fellowship combines a generous salary with a flexible project fund and a co-investment model that can significantly increase total available funding.

  • $100,000 annual salary paid directly to the Fellow
  • Up to $175,000 in project funding per year, deployed through the co-investment matching model
  • Total potential funding of $275,000 per year, up to $825,000 over 3 years
  • Legal and administrative support for project-related activities
  • Access to the Shuttleworth Fellow alumni network of open-knowledge innovators
  • Annual in-person gathering with current and former Fellows
  • High autonomy — Fellows direct their own work with minimal bureaucratic oversight
  • Renewable for up to 3 years based on progress and continued alignment with Foundation values

How to Apply

The Shuttleworth Foundation reviews applications on a biannual cycle. The process values clarity of vision and commitment to openness over polished proposals.

  • Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed in March and September intake cycles
  • Applicants submit a written application describing their idea, its connection to openness, and their plan for the fellowship year
  • A short video (5 minutes or less) is required, allowing candidates to convey passion and communication ability
  • Shortlisted candidates participate in interviews with Foundation staff and existing Fellows
  • The Foundation looks for: a fresh approach, commitment to openness, potential for systemic impact, and the Fellow's ability to execute
  • Typically 2-4 new Fellows are selected per intake cycle
  • No formal educational requirements — the Foundation evaluates ideas and individuals on their merits

The Openness Requirement

A defining feature of the Shuttleworth Fellowship is its commitment to openness. All work produced during the fellowship must be shared openly, and the Foundation specifically seeks projects that advance open knowledge, open source, or open access.

  • All intellectual property created during the fellowship must be released under open licenses
  • Projects can span any sector — education, healthcare, government, science, technology — as long as the approach is rooted in openness
  • Past Fellows have worked on open textbooks, open pharmaceutical research, open government data, open hardware, and open source software
  • The Foundation defines "openness" broadly but requires genuine commitment to sharing knowledge and tools freely
  • Notable alumni include Astra Taylor (economic justice), Peter Bloom (community telecommunications), and Achal Prabhala (access to medicines)

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