The 2026 Grant Cycle Is Open: Signal/Noise
Hacker Initiative’s 2026 grant cycle is open. Applications close Monday, November 9, 2026.
This year’s theme is Signal/Noise. Generated text and synthetic video are cheap now, and the systems that decide what you see are tuned for engagement.
“Hackers have always been the people who learn to listen carefully, who find the meaningful pattern in a stream of static.”
William Pollock, Chair of the Board, Hacker Initiative
What we’re looking for
Hardware, software, and educational projects. Some examples:
- Tools that detect or label AI-generated content
- Open source work on verifying sources and provenance
- Hardware and software for sensing, measurement, and signal processing
- Privacy- and security-respecting alternatives to ad-driven platforms
- STEM projects that teach media literacy and hands-on technical skills
Your project has to strengthen the worldwide hacking community. We give preference to lean, well-managed budgets, and to work that’s unlikely to get corporate, institutional, or government funding.
The details
- Grants range from USD $5,000 to $25,000. Awarded grants may be for less than the amount requested.
- Applications close Monday, November 9, 2026.
- Every proposal goes through the application form. We don’t take proposals by email.
How to apply
Apply here: 2026 Hacker Initiative Grant Application. Guidelines and FAQs are at hackerinitiative.org. Questions go to grant-requests@hackerinitiative.org.
Hacker Initiative is a U.S. public charity that gives back to the global hacking community through small grants, mentorship, and community support. 100% of public donations go to grant recipients.
100% of your donation goes to grant recipients!
About This Public Nonprofit
This public nonprofit is formed to give back to and strengthen the hacking community. The founder, Bill Pollock, through his donation of $1.3 million to date, and No Starch Press Inc. have been closely involved with the global hacking community since 1999.
We are growing through the generous support of our global communities, individuals, and corporate donors. Ongoing funding is used to continue to strengthen and expand our global hacking communities. We endeavor to educate the public about “hacking,” and work to create safe and central places for the elite engineering community.
Hacker Initiative is an IRS 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt PUBLIC nonprofit charity. Our mission is to support and grow the collective knowledge and contributions of the worldwide hacker community.
We support hackers of all types, wherever you are in the world, regardless of experience, whether that’s the passionate beginner or the lifelong hacker wishing to make a broader contribution to the hacker community and the world.
About This Public Nonprofit
This public nonprofit is formed to give back to and strengthen the hacking community. The founder, Bill Pollock, through his donation of $1.3 million to date, and No Starch Press Inc. have been closely involved with the global hacking community since 1999.
We are growing through the generous support of our global communities, individuals, and corporate donors. Ongoing funding is used to continue to strengthen and expand our global hacking communities. We endeavor to educate the public about “hacking,” and work to create safe and central places for the elite engineering community.
Planned Activities
The Hacker Initiative is built to provide global support to those with a hacking mindset who have yet to find a supportive community of hackers. The Hacker Initiative will:
Support for STEM Initiatives
The Hacker Initiative will support these activities through donations from the general public, generous individuals, corporate grants, and funding from other public charities.
The Hacker Initiative has already generated substantial interest from a number of prominent individuals in the hacking community who wish to donate, volunteer on the Board, and help support its mission.