Deadline: 07-Sep-2026
The Information Controls Research Program supports researchers investigating internet censorship, digital surveillance, information controls, and threats to human rights in repressive environments. Fellows can receive a monthly stipend of $7,000 USD for 3–12 months, plus travel and equipment support of up to $5,000 USD each, depending on project needs.
The program welcomes applicants worldwide, with particular encouragement for researchers from the majority world and those with lived or professional experience in repressive environments. Eligible applicants include students, doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, and junior to mid-career practitioners working across technology, cybersecurity, human rights, social sciences, and related fields.
Information Controls Research Program Overview
The Information Controls Research Program evolved from the former Information Controls Fellowship Program and supports a global community of researchers studying how technology affects access to information, digital freedom, security, and human rights.
The program supports research at the intersection of:
- Internet censorship
- Digital surveillance
- Information security
- Technology and human rights
- Artificial intelligence
- Quantum computing
- Cybersecurity
- Digital threats against civil society
- Human rights defenders
- Digital rights and freedom of expression
The program is particularly interested in research that improves understanding of information controls and develops practical approaches to protecting individuals and communities affected by censorship and surveillance.
Why the Information Controls Research Program Matters
Internet censorship and digital surveillance can restrict freedom of expression, access to information, civic participation, and human rights. Researchers working in these areas can help identify emerging threats and develop technical, social, and policy responses.
The program provides financial and institutional support for researchers investigating these challenges, particularly where research can contribute to a better understanding of how information controls operate.
Research may examine both existing information-control systems and emerging technologies that could reshape censorship, surveillance, and digital security.
Key Research Areas
Applicants can propose research addressing a broad range of information-control challenges. Priority areas include innovative approaches to censorship circumvention, emerging technologies, and threats affecting civil society.
Censorship Circumvention
Research may explore creative and practical methods for helping people access information despite internet censorship and restrictions.
Potential areas include:
- Circumvention technologies
- Internet filtering
- Network interference
- Access to blocked information
- Digital resilience
- Secure communication
- Alternative information networks
Artificial Intelligence and Information Control
The program is also interested in the relationship between artificial intelligence and information controls.
Research could examine:
- AI-enabled censorship
- Automated surveillance
- AI-generated disinformation
- Algorithmic content restrictions
- Machine learning for information monitoring
- AI-based threats to digital rights
- Defensive uses of AI against censorship
Quantum Computing and Information Controls
Emerging computing technologies may create new opportunities and risks for digital security.
Applicants may investigate the potential implications of quantum computing for:
- Encryption
- Digital communications
- Surveillance
- Cybersecurity
- Information security
- Privacy protection
Digital Threats to Civil Society
Another important area is the analysis of digital threats affecting civil society organizations, activists, journalists, and human rights defenders.
Research may examine:
- Online harassment
- Digital surveillance
- Account compromise
- Cyberattacks
- Threat intelligence
- Privacy risks
- Digital targeting of activists
- Security challenges for human rights organizations
Fellowship Funding
Selected fellows receive a monthly stipend of $7,000 USD.
The fellowship can last for:
- 3 months
- 6 months
- 9 months
- 12 months
In addition to the monthly stipend, fellows may receive:
- Up to $5,000 USD for travel
- Up to $5,000 USD for equipment
The final award depends on the duration of the fellowship and the researcher’s approved project requirements.
Based on the stated stipend structure, potential total awards range from $21,000 USD for a three-month fellowship to as much as $89,000 USD for a twelve-month fellowship when the maximum travel and equipment support is included.
Who Is Eligible?
The Information Controls Research Program is open to researchers and practitioners from around the world.
Eligible applicants may include:
- Students at any academic level
- Doctoral researchers
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Junior-career practitioners
- Mid-career practitioners
- Computer scientists
- Engineers
- Information security specialists
- Software developers
- Social scientists
- Data visualization specialists
- Researchers working across multiple disciplines
The program particularly encourages applications from:
- Researchers from the majority world
- Individuals with experience living in repressive environments
- Researchers studying technology, security, and human rights
- Applicants whose work addresses emerging information-control challenges
Applicants do not need to come from a single academic discipline. The program supports interdisciplinary approaches to understanding censorship, surveillance, and digital threats.
Host Organization Requirement
Applicants must identify a host organization for the duration of their research.
The host may be:
- An academic institution
- A research organization
- A nonprofit organization
- Another appropriate non-academic institution
The host organization must be located outside the United States.
Applicants should select a host that can provide an appropriate environment for carrying out the proposed research and can support the project during the fellowship period.
Who Is Not Eligible?
Certain applicants and organizations are excluded from the program.
Ineligible applicants include individuals or organizations involved in:
- Developing surveillance technology
- Selling surveillance technology
- Activities prohibited by relevant authorities
- Activities involving sanctioned or debarred entities
Applicants and organizations that are debarred or sanctioned by relevant authorities are also not eligible.
What Research Can Be Supported?
The program is designed for research projects that contribute meaningful knowledge about information controls and their effects.
Strong proposals may:
- Investigate internet censorship mechanisms.
- Develop new approaches to censorship circumvention.
- Study digital surveillance practices.
- Analyze threats against human rights defenders.
- Examine technology-related risks to civil society.
- Explore AI and information-control systems.
- Investigate the security implications of quantum computing.
- Develop tools or methodologies that improve digital resilience.
- Connect technical research with human rights or policy concerns.
Projects can use technical, social science, policy, interdisciplinary, or other appropriate research methods.
How the Information Controls Research Program Works
Applicants should develop a clearly defined research project and identify an appropriate host organization.
Step 1: Define the Research Problem
Clearly identify the information-control challenge the research will address.
The proposal should explain:
- What problem is being investigated?
- Why is the problem important?
- Who is affected?
- What information or evidence is currently missing?
- How will the research contribute to understanding or addressing the problem?
Step 2: Develop the Research Methodology
Explain how the research will be conducted.
Depending on the project, this may include:
- Technical analysis
- Data collection
- Interviews
- Surveys
- Network analysis
- Case studies
- Software or tool development
- Policy analysis
- Comparative research
- Mixed-method research
The methodology should be realistic for the proposed fellowship period.
Step 3: Identify a Host Organization
Applicants must propose an organization that will host them during the fellowship.
The host should be relevant to the research topic and capable of providing an appropriate research environment.
Step 4: Establish the Fellowship Period
Applicants should determine whether their project requires:
- 3 months
- 6 months
- 9 months
- 12 months
The proposed duration should correspond to the scope and complexity of the research.
Step 5: Plan the Budget
Applicants should determine whether they require additional funding for:
- Travel
- Research equipment
- Other eligible project requirements
Travel and equipment support can each reach $5,000 USD, depending on project needs and approval.
Step 6: Submit the Application
Applicants should provide a clear research proposal and the information required by the program.
The application should demonstrate the significance of the research, the applicant’s ability to conduct it, the suitability of the host organization, and the expected contribution to the field.
How to Prepare a Strong Application
A competitive application should connect the research question to a clearly identified information-control problem.
Applicants should focus on:
- Research significance: Explain why the issue matters.
- Originality: Identify what is new about the proposed research.
- Feasibility: Demonstrate that the project can be completed within the proposed period.
- Methodology: Explain how evidence will be collected and analyzed.
- Relevant experience: Highlight academic, technical, professional, or field experience.
- Host suitability: Explain why the selected host organization is appropriate.
- Potential impact: Describe how the findings could benefit researchers, civil society, policymakers, or affected communities.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting proposals that are too broad or lack a clearly defined research question.
Common weaknesses include:
- Failing to explain the information-control problem.
- Proposing a project that is too large for the fellowship period.
- Providing an unclear or incomplete methodology.
- Selecting a host organization without explaining its relevance.
- Failing to demonstrate the applicant’s relevant expertise.
- Including unrealistic travel or equipment requirements.
- Focusing on general technology issues without a clear connection to information controls.
- Overlooking ethical, privacy, or security considerations when working with vulnerable populations.
Important Considerations for Researchers
Research involving censorship, surveillance, activists, or human rights defenders can involve significant security and ethical risks.
Applicants should consider:
- Protection of research participants
- Data confidentiality
- Secure communications
- Digital security
- Informed consent
- Protection of vulnerable individuals
- Responsible handling of sensitive information
- Potential risks to researchers and participants
Projects should be designed in a way that minimizes unnecessary risks to people affected by repressive information-control environments.
Information Controls Research Program Funding at a Glance
- Program: Information Controls Research Program
- Purpose: Research on internet censorship, surveillance, information controls, and related digital threats
- Eligible applicants: Students, doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, and junior to mid-career practitioners
- Geographic eligibility: Worldwide
- Priority: Majority-world researchers and individuals with experience in repressive environments
- Monthly stipend: $7,000 USD
- Fellowship duration: 3, 6, 9, or 12 months
- Travel support: Up to $5,000 USD
- Equipment support: Up to $5,000 USD
- Maximum potential award: Up to $89,000 USD for a 12-month fellowship with maximum additional stipends
- Host organization: Required
- Host location: Outside the United States
- Research areas: Censorship, surveillance, AI, quantum computing, cybersecurity, digital threats, technology and human rights
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Information Controls Research Program?
The Information Controls Research Program supports researchers investigating internet censorship, surveillance, information controls, and digital threats, particularly in environments where access to information and human rights are restricted.
How much funding does the program provide?
Fellows receive a monthly stipend of $7,000 USD. Depending on research requirements, they may also receive up to $5,000 USD for travel and $5,000 USD for equipment.
How long can the fellowship last?
The fellowship can last for three, six, nine, or twelve months. The funding level depends on the selected duration and any approved additional support.
Who can apply for the fellowship?
Students, doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, and junior to mid-career practitioners from a range of disciplines can apply. Relevant fields include computer science, engineering, information security, software development, social sciences, and data visualization.
Do applicants need a host organization?
Yes. Applicants must propose a host organization for the duration of their research. The host can be academic or non-academic but must be based outside the United States.
What research topics are encouraged?
Priority areas include censorship circumvention, digital surveillance, artificial intelligence and information control, quantum computing, cybersecurity, and digital threats affecting civil society and human rights defenders.
Who is excluded from the program?
Individuals and organizations involved in developing or selling surveillance technology are not eligible. Applicants and organizations that are debarred or sanctioned by relevant authorities are also excluded.
Conclusion
The Information Controls Research Program provides substantial financial and research support for scholars and practitioners examining censorship, surveillance, digital security, and human rights in challenging environments. With a $7,000 monthly stipend, potential travel and equipment support, and fellowship terms of up to 12 months, the program offers researchers an opportunity to pursue focused projects with academic, technical, policy, or human-rights relevance.
Researchers should develop a clearly defined and feasible project, identify a suitable host organization outside the United States, and demonstrate how their work can improve understanding of information controls and contribute to safer, freer, and more resilient digital environments.
For more information, visit Open Technology Fund.
