Mark Shuttleworth started the Foundation in 2001 and he is the driving force behind the success of the initiative.

The Shuttleworth Foundation is striving to create an open knowledge society, both in South Africa and around the world. It is a vision that will only be truly realised when all people are free to learn, invent, innovate and, ultimately, create their own opportunities

The Foundation is at its core an experiment in open philanthropy and uses alternative funding methodologies, new technologies and collaborative ways of working to ensure that every initiative receives the best exposure and resources to succeed.

We provide funding for dynamic leaders who are at the forefront of social change. We identify amazing people, give them a fellowship grant, and multiply the money they put into their projects by a factor of ten or more. We are looking for social innovators who are helping to change the world for the better and are looking for some support through an innovative social investment model.

 

Which topics/disciplines

The Foundation offers fellowships to individuals to implement their innovative idea for social change. We are most interested in exceptional ideas at the intersection between openness, technology, knowledge and learning. Ideas that would really move the dial on access to global knowledge, social and economic development.

The fellowship is not an academic fellowship aimed at research or academic study. Applicants should be social change agents who push boundaries and challenge accepted norms.