Call for Concept Notes: Spyware Accountability Initiative 2025

The Spyware Accountability Initiative (SAI), hosted by the Ford Foundation’s Dignity and Justice Fund and fiscally sponsored by the New Venture Fund, is inviting civil society organizations, journalists, and experts to submit concept notes for funding aimed at combating the harmful use of commercial spyware technologies. This global initiative supports efforts to investigate, expose, regulate, and litigate against the abuse of spyware, with a particular focus on protecting civil society actors from unjust surveillance.

Applicants from the Global South / Global Majority are strongly encouraged to apply, especially those leveraging political momentum to strengthen international accountability mechanisms.

Objectives

• Address harms caused by the global spyware industry through research, regulation, litigation, and investigation
• Advance accountability and curb the proliferation of mercenary surveillance technologies
• Build and sustain the capacity of organizations working to expose and prevent spyware abuse
• Strengthen global coordination among actors countering surveillance threats to civil society

Eligibility

• Open to civil society organizations, researchers, journalists, and advocacy groups with a proven track record in spyware accountability work
• Organizations must demonstrate diversified funding beyond SAI support
• New applicants must highlight a clear gap in geographic focus, topic expertise, or methodology
• Proposals should range from $50,000 to $200,000 for 12-month or longer terms

Submission deadline: June 13, 2025

For more information and to submit your concept note, please click here.