The OSDL (Open Source Development Labs) has created a fund to support selected open source projects. The OSDL Fellowship Fund will assist community projects “that don't otherwise have access to financial resources or support,” the group announced Wednesday.

The OSDL plans to use the Fellowship Fund to “fill specific gaps in open source development,” OSDL CEO Stuart Cohen said. “OSDL's neutrality puts it in a natural position to fill this need and support efforts across the community,” he added.

Applications for funding will be evaluated by the OSDL's board of directors, based on inputs from the group's Technical Advisory Board (TAB).

The Fellowship Fund is not the OSDL's first fund. In 2005, OSDL established the IP Support Fund to help provide legal services to Linux and open source software developers. An earlier Linux Legal Defense Fund (LLDF) was launched in 2003 to help defend Linus Torvalds during the SCO lawsuit. Today, the LLDF supports parties threatened with litigation involving IP issues.

James Bottomley, OSDL board member and TAB chair, stated, “Sometimes critical open source projects, especially those not directly affiliated with a major technology vendor, can lose focus because their developers have other commitments. The OSDL Fellowship Fund will make resources available for moving these projects forward and gives us an invaluable tool to concentrate on areas deemed important by the Linux community.”

The OSDL is currently seeking financial support for the Fellowship Fund. Details on participation are available here.

 
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