As the name implies, IFTF is currently exploring the possibility of disbursing micro-grants for small projects related to interactive fiction. As part of our mission, we continue to explore ways to foster and support the ecosystem!
There is no concrete details or even a timeline for it that we can reveal at the time, but our committee is currently trying to hash out details and processes for our first round of grant disbursement. We’ll need applications, and we’ll need independent advisors to help with the selection. Keep watching this space for more details!
Hi all! Five months later, an update: we’ve got guidelines, we’ve got a budget, we’ve got advisors
We’re tentatively targeting September 15 as the date where all the details will be publicly revealed and we’ll be open for applications! We’re tentatively going to leave the call open for 6 weeks.
Any questions at this stage, feel free to ask - we’d also love to hear from people who are considering applying, and be able to gauge the interest!
Can you already give an indication for the amount of money a grant might involve, and the kind of project or expenditure that might be covered? At this point, “hearing from people who are considering applying” is sort of unlikely, because we have no idea what the grants are for.
Haha Victor very fair point! Glad you pointed the obvious and for sure, we can give a bit more details below.
Our guidelines are fairly open at this stage but we are looking at funding projects that align with our activities and our vision (see Our Mission and Goals). We want to fund projects that benefit the community at large; we will not fund the development of your game or your professional development. And we’re not just focusing on the technology (infrastructure, open source tools, etc.); we’re interested in education, history of the genre, etc.
(We’re not ready to launch the process before September 15, but this triggered an internal discussion and we might consider publishing the guidelines earlier than that! So thanks!)
Budget-wise, for our trial run we are looking at funding projects for amounts between $150 USD and $1000 USD.
We love open-source, and we are open to stipends subsidizing contributions to open-source tools!
Would there be an obligation for grant-financed work to be made available for free?
Would there be a requirement for software produced to be open source; if so, would any OSI-approved license do?
Would there be a requirement for works other than software to be CC-licensed; if so, are there any requirements regarding which flavor of CC license?
Would the creator retain the copyright on their work?
(It’s implied that the creator maintains ownership and that there’s no outright requirement even of publication at all, just that if published it follows the credit guidelines stated at the bottom; I’m just seeking clarity. Thanks.)
We’re still trying to keep some flexibility especially for this trial, so a lot of this wouldn’t be a “you are forbidden from doing this” as much as a “the advisors might not rank you as high”. If we run into awkward situations, we’ll do our best to figure it out and we’ll adjust the guidelines next year. This is very much a trial and a work in progress
What I can say is this: IFTF is not looking to take copyright away from anyone, and we really haven’t discussed the nitty-gritty of what software licenses are best. We do not impose that the work is made available for free, but it probably helps.
The intent is to preferably give grants to projects where the benefit is for the/a community as opposed to ones where most of the benefit goes to a single individual. So, it’s true we don’t say it should be published, but if you’re not publishing it, you might have to explain how it still benefits the community. We don’t say it has to be free, but if there are payments that go to one person, again you might have to explain that this is not a project that exists for the sole benefit of its creator. (One person developing their own premium MUD engine and selling it vs a community’s MUD engine where premium accounts exist to cover hosting costs; you get the idea I hope.)
I hope that provides some clarity! Ultimately we’re looking forward to seeing what projects emerge, and also to get feedback on these guidelines so we can figure out how to carry this out in the best way, and ultimately give money to things that align with our mission
