The Sepal Fund is now open!

The Calyx Institute is excited to start the year of 2025 with the opening of the Sepal Fund, our multi-year grantmaking program for small organizations and collectives who are protecting internet freedom with research and tool building.

Since 2020, the Calyx Institute has been funding the development of digital privacy and security tools, research on mass surveillance systems, and training efforts to equip people with the knowledge and tools to protect their right to privacy and connectivity. In 2022, Calyx launched the Fusion Center Research Fund to aid investigations on law enforcement harvesting of personal data through intelligence-sharing centers. This effort, with nearly $200,000 disbursed to grantees, helped reveal the deleterious impact of surveillance technology on privacy and freedom of expression.

These efforts have led to the Sepal Fund, Calyx’s pilot program to build capacity within small groups with unrestricted and holistic grants. This program will provide five organizations, collectives, or projects a yearly grant of up to $50,000 for a total of three years. In addition, we will provide opportunities for professional development to our grantees, as well as other resources. With this funding opportunity, we hope to sustain and elevate research, tool development, and educational growth that harness the digital privacy ecosystem and defend internet freedom. With the blossoming of the Sepal Fund, Calyx will be even more committed to our mission and vision for a future of universally accessible digital privacy, security, and connectivity.

The application is open today through February 19 of 2025. Apply today! Find out more information about the Sepal Fund, including application requirements and program timeline on the grant page, or check our FAQ for any further questions.

You can also help us by spreading the word and let more people know the opportunity!