Grants:IdeaLab/Reimagining WMF grants/Implementation

Reimagining WMF grants

Implementation

Discussion resources:

Outcomes summary

As reported in the September 2015 Reimagining WMF Grants Outcomes, we are moving forward with a new structure for grants as follows:

Rapid Grants. To provide quick support for opportunities throughout the year. Up to $2000 for low-risk experiments and standard needs (meetups, etc) that don't need broad review to get started.
Project Grants. To promote experiments and sustain ideas that work. Up to $100,000 for 12 months. There will be different guidelines and support systems for experiments (seed) and established projects (growth), but one application process.
Annual Plan Grants. To support organizations in developing and sustaining effective programs. Up to $100,000 for 12 months through a simple process, and full process for larger or unrestricted grants.
Conference and Travel Support. To support organizers and travelers attending conferences. Travel, kits and guidance, funds and merchandise, to foster community connections and learning.

We know that it is important to minimize disruption to communities and grantees so we are implementing the changes in phases.

1 October 2015	Simple Process Annual Plan Grants pilot launched (grants started 1 January 2016)
18 April 2016	Call for Project Grant and Conference Support committee members
16 May 2016	Launch Rapid Grants
30 June 2016	Close Project & Event Grants (no new PEG grants accepted)
March–June 2016	Finalize changes to Full Process Annual Plan Grants based on simple process pilot and consultation feedback
1 July 2016	Open call for Round 1 2016 Project Grants
2 August 2016	Launch Conference Support & Deadline for Round 1 Project Grant applications
1 July 2016	Implement changes to Full Process Annual Plan Grants for Round 1 2016/2017 applicants
March 2017	Evaluate grants restructure

There will be no changes to the Travel Support program, including Wikimania Scholarships.
Rapid Grants and Conference & Travel Support will be offered year-round.
Simple Annual Plan Grants will be offered year-round through the 2016 pilot.
Project Grants will be awarded quarterly (see schedule below).
New Project Grant application forms will be available 1 July 2016.
After 2 August, open Individual Engagement Grants (IEG) and Project & Event Grants (PEG) will be moved to Project Grants. All renewals will be processed as Project Grants. The renewal process will be similar to the current IEG renewal process.

Round 1 2016 schedule

Open call: 1 July – 2 August

Proposal deadline: 2 August

Staff eligibility review: 3–9 August

Community review: 10–23 August

Committee review: 24 August – 6 September

Grantees announced: 7 October

Grants disbursed: October

Round 2 2016 schedule

Open call: 12 September – 11 October

Proposal deadline: 11 October

Staff eligibility review: 12–18 October

Community review: 19 October – 1 November

Committee review: 2 November – 15 November

Grantees announced: 16 December

Grants disbursed: January 2017

Rapid Grants. Rapid Grants will be reviewed by staff on a weekly basis to allow for quick decisions and to free up volunteers to review more complicated grants.
Project Grants. An open call for new committee members will start 18 April. The Project Grants Committee will be organized into small working groups to review sets of proposals with a common methodology, theme, or subject matter. Possible working groups include online community organizing, offline outreach and partnerships, tools, and research.
Annual Plan Grants. The Funds Dissemination Committee and Simple Annual Plan Grant Committee will remain the same.
Conference and Travel Support. An open call for new Conference Support Committee members will start 18 April. The Travel Support Committee will remain the same.

Note: Current Grant Advisory Committee members and Individual Engagement Grant Committee members are welcome to apply to new committees.

Please share your questions or thoughts on the discussion page.