HeroDevs Open Source Sustainability Fund
By HeroDevs
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Quick Answer
US$2,500-15,000 (about ₹2.38-14.25 lakh) for maintainers of open source developer tools whose versions are nearing or past end of life. Apply any time through an online form.
About this grant
The HeroDevs Open Source Sustainability Fund is a US$20 million fund run by HeroDevs, a company that manages the risk of using unsupported, end-of-life open source software. Grants range from US$2,500 to US$15,000 (about ₹2.38 lakh to ₹14.25 lakh). The fund pays maintainers to adopt healthy release, support and deprecation practices, so their users stay secure when old versions stop being supported. The page gives no deadline.
This is for maintainers of open source developer tools, such as frameworks and libraries. It is not for startups building a commercial product, and it is not for projects that are not developer tools. The page sets no country limit, so an Indian maintainer can apply.
What the program offers
The fund pays between US$2,500 and US$15,000 per grant (about ₹2.38 lakh to ₹14.25 lakh). The source describes the aim as keeping open source healthy and sustainable by encouraging good practices and funding continued work on projects. It does not say how the amount within the range is decided, what it may be spent on, or how it is paid, and it mentions no equity.
Besides money, accepted projects get hands-on help. HeroDevs says it will support you through the programme and beyond. Once accepted, you receive a self-service Best Practices Form that records the practices you already follow and gives guidance on what to change.
Who can apply
You should maintain open source projects under an OSI-approved licence, and versions of your project should be approaching or already past their official end of life. The project must be a developer tool. You also need to be ready to keep users secure, compliant and free of known vulnerabilities.
It suits maintainers of established tools with several release lines, where older versions still have users. It does not suit a brand new project with no old versions, or software that is not open source. For versions that are already end of life and not covered by the fund, HeroDevs says it offers separate partnerships; ask them for details.
How to apply
Submit the application through the online form linked on the fund page. A HeroDevs team member then contacts you to confirm that the application has arrived and is under review. If you are approved, HeroDevs gets in touch to begin the criteria review and put best practices in place. A practical tip: before applying, check your project's own docs against the practices listed below, so the form is easy to fill.
How applications are judged and what happens next
HeroDevs reviews applications. Approved projects are assessed against its best practices, which cover:
- documented versioning (for example SemVer or PEP 440), release announcements on all official channels and clear marking of security fixes;
- clear statements of which versions are supported, deprecated or end of life, with advance notice of changes;
- deprecation policies, support timelines and removal dates;
- backporting critical fixes to long-term support versions only, and warnings in changelogs and at runtime;
- ways to report issues and security concerns, plus support tiers (Current, LTS and EOL);
- easy-to-find migration guides.
The page suggests how far ahead to announce end of life: 12 to 18 months for widely used foundational libraries, 6 to 12 months for moderately adopted projects with more than 10,000 users, and 3 to 6 months for small or niche projects.
The page does not state a review timeline, how many grants will be made, or the scoring method.
About HeroDevs
HeroDevs describes itself as a platform for managing the risk of unsupported open source software. Its Never-Ending Support service provides drop-in replacements for deprecated open source packages so that systems stay secure, compliant and compatible. It says it has worked with companies from startups to large enterprises, writing patches for unmaintained code. It is based in Sandy, Utah.
Things to check before you apply
- The grant is tied to adopting the listed practices, so it is a commitment to change how you release and support your project, not unconditional money.
- The page does not state the payment method, currency or schedule.
- The source states no deadline, so apply when your project fits; the fund may close or change without notice.
- Check whether your project has other funding or sponsor terms that could conflict.
- Indian maintainers who receive foreign money should check tax and reporting treatment with an adviser.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
Benefits & Funding
- Fund type
- Grant
What You Get
Accepted projects receive between US$2,500 and US$15,000 (about ₹2.38 lakh to ₹14.25 lakh). Alongside the money, HeroDevs works with you on its best-practice criteria for versioning, release and end-of-life communication, deprecation handling and support tiers, through a self-service Best Practices Form and direct support from its team.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Selection Process
HeroDevs reviews each application. Approved projects go through a criteria review against HeroDevs' best practices for versioning, release communication, deprecation and support tiers, and complete a self-service Best Practices Form with HeroDevs' help.
Application Process
- 1
Apply online
Submit the Sustainability Fund application form.
You - 2
- 3
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
See the questions before you start
Download every question this programme's application form asks, so you can prepare your answers offline before opening the portal.
- 3
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 4
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for the HeroDevs Open Source Sustainability Fund?
Maintainers of open source projects under an OSI-approved licence whose versions are approaching or already past official end of life. The project must be a developer tool. You must also be ready to keep users secure and free of known vulnerabilities.
Can Indian open source maintainers apply for the HeroDevs fund?
The page states no country restriction, so an Indian maintainer can apply if the project meets the criteria. The fund is for developer tools, not startups building commercial products. Check tax treatment of foreign money with an adviser.
How much is a HeroDevs Sustainability Fund grant?
Grants range from US$2,500 to US$15,000 (about ₹2.38 lakh to ₹14.25 lakh), from a total fund of US$20 million. The page does not explain how the amount for each project is set.
How is the HeroDevs grant paid?
The source does not say how, when or in which currency grants are paid. It only describes the review and the Best Practices Form that follow approval. Ask HeroDevs for these details when they contact you.
What is the deadline for the HeroDevs Open Source Sustainability Fund?
The page does not give a deadline, and applications are made through an online form. Because no date is stated, apply as soon as your project is ready.
Is the HeroDevs fund a grant or equity?
It is described as grants, and the source mentions no equity. The grants are tied to adopting good release, support and deprecation practices.
What do I need to apply to the HeroDevs fund?
You fill in the online application form. If approved, you complete a self-service Best Practices Form that documents what your project already does and shows what to change. The source does not list other documents.
What happens after I apply to the HeroDevs fund?
A HeroDevs team member contacts you to confirm that the application is under review. If you are approved, they get in touch to start the criteria review and put best practices in place. They say they will help throughout the programme.
Do I have to travel for the HeroDevs Sustainability Fund?
The source mentions no travel. The process described is an online form, a review and a self-service form. Check with HeroDevs if you are unsure.
Is it free to apply to the HeroDevs fund, and what if my versions are already end of life?
The page does not mention a fee. For versions already end of life and not covered by the fund, HeroDevs says it offers separate partnerships and asks you to contact them.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
