HRF Bitcoin Development Fund
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Quick Answer
Bitcoin-paid grants from the Human Rights Foundation for Bitcoin developers, educators and activists helping people under authoritarian regimes. Applications open year-round.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Human Rights Foundation
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Location
- International
About this grant
The Bitcoin Development Fund (BDF) is a program of the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) that gives grants to people and projects making Bitcoin and related freedom technology more useful to human rights defenders living under repressive governments. Grants are paid in bitcoin, sizes are decided case by case and not published, and applications are open all year with no deadline. The source does not restrict applicants by country, but projects must fit HRF's mission of supporting activists and individuals in repressive societies.
What the program offers
HRF says Bitcoin lets defenders under hostile governments transact privately, pay salaries, receive donations and crowdfund without censorship or confiscation. The BDF therefore makes grants, and in some cases investments, in projects that help activists and ordinary citizens keep pushing for democracy with money that cannot be censored.
The fund names six kinds of recipient: software developers working on Bitcoin's privacy, security and decentralisation; human rights defenders and activists using Bitcoin against financial surveillance, censorship and confiscation; educators who explain Bitcoin's potential for financial freedom; community builders who grow local and global groups; translators who make Bitcoin education available in more languages; and user experience designers who make Bitcoin tools easier for newcomers. HRF also says it provides guidance and resources to grantees while the project runs.
Grants are delivered in bitcoin. Their size depends on the scope and potential impact of the project, and each application is assessed on its own. The source lists no minimum or maximum.
Who can apply
On the software side, HRF is most interested in Bitcoin Core, Nostr, Ecash, Bitcoin utility apps and complementary freedom technologies. It does not fund projects built on cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin, and it does not fund projects that sit outside HRF's mission of supporting activists and individuals in repressive societies.
The page does not set a nationality or location rule, so Indian developers, designers, educators and community builders can apply. It suits individuals and small teams whose work has a clear link to financial freedom. It does not suit a general crypto or token startup, or a project with no connection to people under authoritarian rule. HRF also says that if you are unsure whether you fit, you should apply anyway and let the team judge the fit.
How to apply
Send a brief description of your project through HRF's online application form, which is open year-round. A practical tip: say in plain words who your users are, what risk or restriction they face, and why Bitcoin is the right tool, because reviewers give priority to projects that advance financial freedom for people under authoritarian regimes. The source does not give a word limit or list required attachments.
How applications are judged and what happens next
The HRF team reviews applications on a rolling basis and says you can expect to hear more within 4 to 6 weeks. If you are selected, HRF contacts you personally, settles the administrative details and arranges delivery of the bitcoin grant. At the end of each quarter HRF publishes a press release naming the new grantees. If you are not selected, you may apply again in a future round.
About the Human Rights Foundation
HRF is a non-profit based in New York. Its stated belief is that when individuals rise, tyranny falls. Besides the Bitcoin Development Fund, its Financial Freedom program works on protecting people under authoritarian regimes from currency debasement, asset confiscation and account freezes, and HRF runs other programs on topics such as AI for individual rights and art in protest. Past BDF grantees named on the page include Ideas Beyond Borders, the Bitcoin Design Community and Foundation, and BTCPay Server.
Things to check before you apply
- Grant amounts are not published, so you cannot plan a budget in advance.
- Bitcoin's price moves, so the rupee value of a payout can change. A practical tip: ask an adviser how receiving bitcoin is treated for tax in India before you accept.
- Projects on other cryptocurrencies are not funded.
- The source does not say whether grants go to individuals, companies or both for payment purposes; ask HRF if you are unsure.
Eligibility
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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
Selected grantees receive a grant delivered in bitcoin. HRF sets the amount case by case based on the project's scope and potential impact, and does not publish a standard size. Throughout the project, the HRF team offers support, guidance and resources.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Selection Process
HRF's team reviews applications on a rolling basis and gives priority to projects that advance financial freedom for people under authoritarian regimes. Selected applicants are contacted personally, and new grantees are announced in a press release at the end of each quarter.
Application Process
- 1
Submit proposal
Describe your project in the online form, any time of year.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
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
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply to the HRF Bitcoin Development Fund?
The fund supports software developers, human rights defenders and activists, educators, community builders, translators and user experience designers. Their work must be about Bitcoin and fit HRF's mission of helping people in repressive societies. If you are unsure, HRF encourages you to apply anyway.
Can Indian startups apply for the HRF Bitcoin Development Fund?
The page sets no nationality or location rule, so applicants in India are not excluded. The project must still be about Bitcoin and serve HRF's mission. A general crypto startup on another token would not be funded.
How much funding does the Bitcoin Development Fund give?
The page publishes no minimum or maximum. Size depends on the scope and potential impact of the project and is decided case by case.
How is the HRF grant paid?
Grants are delivered in bitcoin. If you are selected, HRF contacts you personally to finish the administrative details and arrange delivery. The rupee value can change because bitcoin's price moves.
What is the deadline for the Bitcoin Development Fund, and what if I miss a round?
There is no deadline; applications are accepted year-round and reviewed on a rolling basis. New grantees are announced at the end of each quarter. If you are not selected, you can reapply in a future round.
Is the HRF Bitcoin Development Fund a grant or equity?
The fund provides grants, and the page says it also invests in some projects. It does not explain the terms of any investment, so ask HRF if that matters to you.
What do I need to prepare to apply?
The application asks for a brief description of your project, submitted through an online form. The page does not list other required documents. A practical tip: explain who benefits, the restriction they face and why Bitcoin is the right answer.
What types of projects does HRF not fund?
It does not fund projects based on cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin, or projects that do not fit its mission of supporting activists and individuals in repressive societies.
Do I have to travel to receive the grant?
The source mentions no travel or in-person requirement. Applications go through an online form and HRF contacts selected applicants personally.
How long does review take, and is it free to apply?
HRF says you can expect more information within 4 to 6 weeks. The source does not mention an application fee.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
