This track is for new funding requests from organizations who have not received funding from SAI. This track is also open to programs or teams within existing grantee organizations who have not received funding for spyware-related activities.

We have supported significant growth in the capacity of civil society to address spyware accountability but we recognize that there continue to be key gaps in this capacity. This includes a lack of global diversity in spyware accountability organizations, uneven capacities on regulatory advocacy, policy advocacy, litigation and even well developed areas where more reinforcement of capacity is needed.

Areas of work that may qualify for funding include:

• Threat intelligence and research capabilities focused on spyware technologies against civil society and social movements.

• Building organizational capacity of both existing and emergent civil society cybersecurity research and advocacy groups, and increasing field coordination.

• Building the capacity of human rights defenders and journalists - individuals, organizations, and networks - to improve visibility, identify and respond to spyware attacks.

• Coordinated strategic sharing of information, research and best practices on advanced threats among response organizations.

• Advocacy or litigation strategies and interventions focused on the global spyware trade, use of advanced spyware against civil society, and accountability of corporations responsible for the proliferation of these technologies.

• Enabling civil society to more effectively partner with device manufacturers, software developers, commercial security firms, and other relevant companies to identify and address vulnerabilities as well as the design and implementation of protections that directly address the risks and harms of spyware.

• Implementation, management and use of technical infrastructure that takes advantage of threat intelligence to identify and contain targeted incidents, and that facilitate the sharing of intelligence across the field.

• Investigation and support for the harms and consequences of spyware. This may include: developing psychosocial support programs for high-risk individuals and organizations, understanding the longer term harms that are experienced by individuals and organizations following targeted spyware attacks, and researching the impact of spyware technologies on democratic societies.

• Support for additional safety and security measures directly related to proposed work in any of the areas of work listed above.

• Raising awareness and developing strategies to mitigate the impact of lawfare tactics by hostile actors against civil society organizations and individuals, such as intentionally abusing the legal system to discredit and harm civil society groups working on spyware accountability.

• Coalition and network building to strengthen coordination and collaboration in the global spyware accountability field.

What is not being considered for this round of funding:

• New end-user technology development (i.e., new secure messaging applications)

• Generally addressing the cybersecurity needs of civil society through trainings, capacity building, etc.

This 2023 report from Freedman Consulting may be a helpful way to orient the landscape of work that is possible and needed for global spyware accountability.

Please note that due to requirements under US law, the fund is not able to support lobbying activities. You can learn more about what does and does not constitute lobbying in this guide.

The submission questions for this track are:

1. Tell us about your organization and how the proposed spyware accountability work relates to its mission or strategy. (250 words) This may include: your mission statement, your geographic focus (if any), your experience in this field, your proximity to impacted communities, or other areas of work you focus on.

2. Tell us about your funding request. What do you propose to do? (250 words) Tell us about the activities, approaches and work you plan to do should you receive this grant. How does your proposed work relate to the scope of work of this initiative?

3. How would you describe success with this grant, and what are some of the indicators you would like to see by the end of it? (250 words) Note that these can be programmatic goals, such as influencing policy or convening other actors in this field, operational goals, such as increasing your organization's capabilities for this work, or both.

4. What do you see as your organization’s primary role in the broader spyware accountability ecosystem, and how have you worked with others to advance the field? (250 words) This may include detailing how your work fits into a broader field strategy, sharing examples of key partners and your work with them, or sharing your approach to field capacity building.

5. What are the primary challenges or limitations your organization could face should you receive this grant? (250 words) For example, are there areas of work in which you need to further develop expertise? Are there challenges in hiring staff to do this work? How do you anticipate managing these challenges?

This track is only open to organizations who have received a grant from SAI prior to June 1st, 2026 who are seeking to continue the work begun under that grant.

Submissions to this track allow for extensions, increases or full grant renewals of any amount within the given range and any time range. This is an open and flexible track meant to meet the needs of existing grantees.

If you need other modifications to your current grant, such as no-cost extensions, adjustments to deliverables, budget changes, etc please contact New Venture Fund directly to seek approval as these changes can be made at any time. This submission process is only for changes which require additional funding in some form.

The submission questions for this track are:

1. Tell us about your organization and its ongoing work on spyware accountability. (250 words) This may include your mission statement, your geographic focus (if any), your experience related to this opportunity, your proximity to impacted communities, or other primary areas of work.

2. Tell us about your accomplishments during the grant period of your recent SAI grant, including any key lessons learned. (250 words) We understand impact comes in many forms. Focus on what you see as significant achievements and learnings.

3. Tell us about your funding request for this renewal, increase, or extension: what activities or capacities are you requesting support for, and why is this support needed now? (250 words) Proposed work does not need to be entirely new and can represent ongoing efforts or adjustments to your original scope.

4. What do you see as your organization’s primary role in the broader spyware accountability ecosystem, and how have you worked with others to advance the field? (250 words) This may include detailing how your work fits into a broader field strategy, sharing examples of key partners and your work with them, or sharing your approach to field capacity building.

5. How do you plan to ensure the financial, organizational, and operational sustainability of your spyware accountability work, and what challenges do you anticipate? (250 words) We’re interested in how you plan to maintain stability and your clear-eyed understanding of potential challenges (e.g., funding uncertainty, shifting political landscapes).