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Submission & evaluation process
Projects can be submitted through https://NLnet.nl/propose, please check this page as well as the guide for applicants and frequently asked questions for this programme before you start writing a proposal - this might save you a lot of work.
Anyone can apply, including private individuals and organisations of any type. Project proposals should be in line with the NGI vision and should have research and development as their primary objective. Proposals should be complete and concise (no longer than the equivalent of two pages for the main application, see the submission form). Proposals should have a clear European dimension.
Projects are scored on a 7 point scale on three criteria: technical merit (30% weight), strategic relevance to the Next Generation Internet and expected contribution to the goals of NGI Mobifree (40% weight) and overall value for money (30% weight). The key objective is to deliver potential break-through contributions to the objectives of NGI Mobifree and give European citizens and organizations more choice in, and access to, human-centered and ethical mobile software. Projects will need a total weighted score above 5.0 (out of 7) in order to be selected.
The following types of activities qualify for financial support, provided they are cost effective and have a clear link to the topics directly relevant to NGI Mobifree and the objectives set out in the call:
- scientific research
- design and development of open source software and open hardware
- validation or constructive inquiry into existing or novel technical solutions
- software engineering aimed at adapting to new usage areas or improving software quality
- formal security proofs, security audits, setup and design of software testing and continuous integration
- documentation for researchers, developers and end users, including educational materials
- standardisation activities, including membership fees of standards bodies
- understanding user requirements and improving usability/inclusive design
- necessary measures in support of (broad)er deployability, e.g. packaging
- participation in technical, developer and community events like hackathons, IETF, W3C, RIPE meetings, FOSDEM, etc. (admission fee, travel and subsistence costs)
- other activities that are relevant to adhering to robust software development and deployment practices
- project management
- out-of-pocket costs for infrastructure essential to achieving the above
All scientific outcomes must be published as open access, and any novel software and hardware created is to be be published under a recognised free and open source license in its entirety.
Further information
A more complete overview of the call text, proposal guidelines and frequently asked questions can be found on the main call page: https://NLnet.nl/mobifree
You can also visit the official project web site: https://mobifree.org
Task description
Technologies are not just a driving force for innovation. They shape society and significantly impact our lives in almost every aspect. Mobile devices like phones and tablets in particular have become pervasive: they are our gateway to the world at large, function as an external brain and are increasingly part of even our most intimate moments.
People should therefore be far more empowered when it comes to such a critical dependency. Even a mere user should be able to dive under the surface and learn more about the underlying layers of the technologies they depend on. Software and hardware should be open, transparent and reusable. This facilitates reuse, exchange and collaboration between developers and suppliers, but it is also a necessary requirement for consumers and organisations to make conscious choices about which technologies to use and which ones to avoid, and to start thinking about how together we shape technology rather than the other way around. If we want everyone to use and benefit from the internet to its full potential without holding back, the internet must be built on strong and transparent technologies that allow for permissionless innovation and are equally accessible to all.
Mobifree is a pilot programme designed to push beyond the status quo of mobile software, and create a virtuous cycle of innovation through free and open source software, libre hardware and open standards. It has brought together a number of the "movers and shakers" of the open mobile ecosystem, in order to deliver a comprehensive development effort and advance a number of important free and open source technologies.
Together we work towards better technologies to restore and maintain European sovereignty and to secure democratic ownership of the digital society. Our goal is to help mobile technology evolve to a more healthy state, provide people with concrete new tools and more reliable infrastructure, in order to provide better security and allow users more agency and choice. But this is a vast domain, with many more challenges than what any preconceived effort could tackle by itself. This is why we invite your contribution to help us reshape the state of play, and together create an open, trustworthy and reliable internet for all.
Part of the budget of NGI Mobifree (15% to be precise) is reserved for open calls to fund additional free and open source efforts that are aligned with the topics and approach of NGI Mobifree. We invite your contributions to help reshape the state of play of mobile software and
give European citizens and organizations more choice in, and access to, human-centered and ethical mobile software.
Maybe you are working on wholly new contributions towards opening up the mobile ecosystem, for instance in terms of open hardware, software, firmware or protocols. Perhaps you've conceived another way to remove current gatekeepers, choke points or surveillance capabilities. Maybe you are walking around with ideas to improve or enhance concrete existing applications (such as those further developed within NGI Mobifree, eg. F-Droid, Conversations or Micro-G). Or improve on other important solutions in terms of usability, security, privacy, interoperability, high availability and scalability — to allow everyone to benefit from mobile technologies without unnecessary drawbacks. You tell us how you believe we can move things forward.
Project results must be made available under a free and open source license, so anyone can read and validate the source code, and anyone can use the code to create technology that fits their own purposes. We are seeking project proposals between 5.000 and 50.000 euro's — if the project works out well you can subsequently scale up in other programmes funded by NLnet such as NGI0 Core or NGI0 Commons Fund. Privacy-friendly human-centered and ethical mobile software should become the 'new normal' of the internet, something ordinary users should not have to worry about — users should be in control. So let's make it happen.
Through the open calls, we assist independent researchers and developers to join in and create powerful new technologies and put these in the hands of future generations as building blocks for a fair and democratic society. Help us build a sustainable and open economy that benefits all, and submit your idea today. Not sure whether your idea fits? Don't be afraid to send something completely out-of-the-box if you think you can contribute to the topic (and it fits with the eligibility criteria): it really is an open call.
Want to learn more about Mobifree before you submit a proposal? Take a look at the main Mobifree website, look into the FAQ or the guide for applicants. We look forward to your proposals!