Hacker Initiative Grant Program

Hacker Initiative Grant Program

Funder: Hacker Initiative (CA, US)
Website: hackerinitiative.org
Status: Active (two grant cycles per year)
Geographic Scope: Global - eligible applicants include hackers of all ages, wherever they reside

Purpose

The purpose of the HI Grant Program is to strengthen and enrich the hacker community through small monetary grants designed to:
• Support independent STEM education initiatives such as homebrew hacking or robotics clubs, student-led research projects
• Fund educational programs promoting student education about information security, computers, and the hacker community
• Support community events and presentations connecting students, hacker groups, and industry leaders
• Support projects consistent with the spirit of the Hacker Initiative designed to promote computer science education and advancement of STEM knowledge

Focus Areas

HI encourages applications supporting projects including (but not limited to):
• Machine learning and new AI programming languages
• Quantum computing
• Cybersecurity
• Privacy research
• Promoting global public awareness of elite engineering skills
• Supporting and advancing learning in elite engineering skills

Eligible Applicants

• Students and student groups
• Individual hackers of all ages and disciplines
• Independent security and privacy researchers
• Small organizations
• Individuals

Preference given to: Projects run on small budgets and those less likely to receive corporate, institutional, or government funding

Ineligible Applicants

• Members of the Hacker Initiative Board, Programming, Fundraising, Advisory, and other committees

What HI Does NOT Fund

• Activities inconsistent with HI mission
• Animal-related programs (including shelters, except technology with broader impact)
• Athletic teams, events, booster clubs, or sponsorships
• Awards, monuments, and/or memorials
• Capital campaigns and building projects
• Deficit funding
• Development or production of books, films, videos, television programs, social media, or websites
• Endowments or reserve funds
• Fundraising events
• General awareness campaigns/advocacy
• Government agencies
• Individual crowdfunding, GoFundMe pages, or similar
• Individual primary and secondary schools, PTOs, and PTAs
• Loans or investments
• Merchandise for fundraisers and auctions
• Merchandise promotions, partnerships, or advertising
• Parties, celebrations, parades, festivals, raffles, or related expenses
• Political or religious symposiums, conferences, or conventions
• Political organizations or affiliates
• Private foundations
• Private Hacker Initiatives
• Professional association meetings or related expenses
• Religious organizations, affiliates, or for religious purposes
• Research studies outside the scope of HI's Mission
• Salaries or staff training
• School tuition

Critical Restriction: Grant funds may not be used to promote or engage in criminal acts of violence, terrorism, hate crimes, destruction of any state, or discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, religion, military and veteran status, disability, sex, age, gender identity or sexual orientation, or support of any entity that engages in these activities.

Award Details

• Individual grant amount: $5,000 - $25,000 each
• Total per cycle: Up to $100,000 per grant cycle
• Frequency: Two cycles per year (semi-annual)
• Rolling basis consideration: Yes, applications reviewed on rolling basis; encourage early application
• Award reduction: Awarded grants may be for less than the amount requested
• Payment method: Via check within 3 weeks of notification

Application Requirements

• Language: English only (applicants responsible for translation)
• Frequency: Once per project per grant cycle
• Additional materials: Just the information requested on the online form; additional supporting documents may be requested if needed
• Confirmation: Applicants receive confirmation email with link to edit application if needed

Reporting Requirements

• Initial report: Within two months of receipt of grant, provide description of how funding contributed to project
• Final report: Upon project completion, provide:
- Description of completed project - Pictures or video documentation (if possible) - Close-out budget indicating how funding was spent

Notification and Timeline

• Notification method: Email and announcement via website (https://hackerinitiative.org)
• Application persistence: Applications remain pending only for duration of single grant cycle; rejected applicants encouraged to reapply in future cycles

Contact Information

• Email: grant-requests@hackerinitiative.org
• Address: 245 8th Street, San Francisco, California 94103 USA
• Website: https://hackerinitiative.org
• Note: HI unable to respond to questions about grant status

Founder & Leadership

• Founder and Chair of the Board: Bill Pollock
• Review Process: All applications reviewed by application review team with recommendations submitted to HI Board for approval