Alpha-Omega is evolving. Moving away from our previous rolling calendar, which often led to unpredictable review timelines and uneven funding distributions, we are proud to introduce our New Seasonal Grant Framework.
By transitioning to a structured, four-quarter cadence, we are providing open source maintainers with predictable decision windows, faster turnaround times, and synchronized community cohorts. Maintainers now know exactly when to apply, when they will get a decision, and when funds will hit their accounts.
The New 12-Week Quarterly Rhythm
Instead of applications sitting in a rolling queue, every season now features a highly efficient, time-bound 12-week progression:
- Month 1: Submission Phase – A wide-open, streamlined intake window for Grant Submission Forms.
- Month 2: Review & Co-Design – No more waiting in the dark. During this month, eligible projects are fast-tracked into direct, collaborative workshops with Alpha-Omega security experts to co-author the Statement of Work (SOW).
- Month 3: Decision & Disbursement – Fast, transparent final approvals and immediate capital deployment.
The 2026–2027 Seasonal Calendar
Pick the season that aligns best with your project’s roadmap. Applications open on the 1st of the initial month and close on the final day.
| Season | 1. Submission Phase | 2. Review & Co-Design | 3. Decision & Funding |
| Q1 Cycle | Jan 1- Jan 31 | Feb 1- Feb 28 | March 1- March 31 |
| Q2 Cycle | April 1- April 30 | May 1- May 31 | June 1- June 30 |
| Q3 Cycle | July 1- July 31 | August 1- August 31 | September 1- September 30 |
| Q4 Cycle | October 1- October 31 | November 1- November 30 | December 1- December 31 |
Enhanced Eligibility & Impact Criteria
Our core mission remains unchanged, but our selection process is now sharper. We actively invest in standalone projects, foundations overseeing multiple projects, and core ecosystem services. All projects must be OPEN SOURCE.
To maximize the impact of every dollar, our evaluation is heavily informed by:
- The explicit degree of security impact this funding will inject into the ecosystem.
- Direct collaborative alignment during the Month 2 co-design phase.
The Upgraded Application Process
We’ve cut out the upfront bureaucratic bloat. The application is now split into two distinct, manageable phases.
Phase 1: The Initial Submission Form
A lightweight, friction-free intake form completed during Month 1 to ensure your project aligns with our baseline security mission.
What’s New: The Security Consultation Invitation
If your initial submission aligns with Alpha-Omega’s focus, you won’t just receive an email notification—you’ll be paired with an Alpha-Omega team member during Month 2 to co-develop your formal Proposal and Statement of Work (SOW), ensuring your project is set up for success.
Phase 2: The Proposal & SOW Framework
1. Identity & Licensing
- Project, foundation, or ecosystem service name and public repository link.
- Open Source License: Must utilize an OSI-approved open source license.
2. Current Posture & Criticality
- Assume we know very little about your project. Explain why your code is critical infrastructure for the broader software ecosystem.
- What is your current security posture, and what specific security challenges are you facing?
- Reminder: Please do not disclose unpatched or sensitive vulnerabilities.
3. Desired Security Outcomes
- Describe the specific security transformations you expect this grant to yield. Why are these the right outcomes, and how will success be measured?
- What is the direct security benefit to your end-users?
4. Execution Strategy & Readiness
- Outline the activities required to achieve these outcomes (e.g., funding a full-time maintainer, implementing advanced fuzzing, hiring auditors).
- How quickly can this work commence once funding is disbursed in Month 3?
Accountability, Trust, & Peer Cohorts
Our seasonal model isn’t just about changing dates—it’s about building a community of practice. Grantees move together as a cohort, unlocking peer-to-peer collaboration.
Lightweight Agreements
Rigid milestones can stifle open source innovation. Our grant agreements remain intentionally light on heavy timelines. We trust maintainers: future funding cycles depend entirely on meaningful progress, and we recognize that progress looks different for every engineering team.
Transparent Ecosystem Reporting
To amplify the impact of your work, funded projects commit to clear, public accountability:
- Public Monthly Reports: Brief, open updates detailing ongoing security work.
- Monthly Strategy Roundtables: Inter-project cohort meetings to share security insights and tackle shared open source vulnerabilities together.
- The Project Blog Series: A three-part narrative tracking your journey, published at the Beginning (Kickoff & Baseline), Middle (Challenges & Pivots), and End (Final Security Posture & Future Roadmap) of your funding cycle.
Ready to align your project roadmap with our next season? Learn about the application process and submit your application at https://alpha-omega.dev/grants/how-to-apply/.
