The GNOME Fellowship Program is a new funding initiative designed to support contributors working on the long-term sustainability of the GNOME project. The inaugural fellowship cycle begins around May 2026 and provides dedicated funding for individuals to focus on critical infrastructure and maintenance work that strengthens the project’s foundation.
About the GNOME Fellowship Program
Launched by the GNOME Foundation, the fellowship backs trusted community contributors to work flexibly on essential but often underfunded areas of the GNOME ecosystem. Rather than rigid deliverables, the program emphasizes trust, expertise, and the ability of fellows to identify and solve high-impact problems over a 12-month period.
Funding Size
The fellowship provides between $70,000 and $100,000 USD per year, depending on experience and location.
Applicants may propose full-time or half-time commitments. Half-time proposals may allow multiple fellows to be supported.
Who Can Apply
Applications are open to individuals who:
- Have a proven track record contributing to GNOME or possess highly relevant experience.
- Can commit dedicated time over a 12-month period.
- Meet eligibility requirements related to US sanctions compliance.
Geographic Eligibility
Open globally, subject to US sanctions compliance requirements.
Sector or Thematic Focus
For this first cycle, proposals must focus on sustainability work that improves GNOME’s maintainability and developer productivity. Areas of interest include:
- Build systems
- CI/CD infrastructure
- Testing frameworks
- Developer tooling
- Documentation
- Accessibility
- Reducing technical debt
New feature development is not a focus for this round.
Application Process
Applicants submit proposals outlining their expertise and the type of sustainability work they plan to undertake. A GNOME Foundation Board committee will review submissions and select fellows for the inaugural cycle.
Required Materials
Applicants are expected to provide:
- A proposal describing intended work and impact
- Evidence of past GNOME contributions or relevant experience
- Availability and preferred commitment level (full-time or half-time)
Key Dates
- Fellowship Start: Around May 2026
- Application Deadline: 20 April 2026
Selection Notes
This is a pilot cycle, and selections will prioritize applicants whose work can leave the GNOME project more maintainable, efficient, and contributor-friendly. The program is supported by donations from Friends of GNOME.