2027:Scholarships
The Internet we want
Wikimania 2027 Scholarships are open!
The applications are now being accepted. Details on the process can be found on this page. When in doubt, please contact wikimania-scholarships@wikimedia.org
Orientation sessions took place on October 9, 2026.
Recordings and session materials are now available on Commons.
What is a Wikimania Travel Scholarship?
A scholarship is a grant given to an individual to enable them to attend Wikimania 2027 in person. Scholarship recipients are selected by the Scholarships Committee of the Wikimania 2027 Core Organizing Team, and funds are provided by the Wikimedia Foundation.
Scholarships cover flights, accommodation, registration, daily per diem to cover incidentals and meals during the event pre-conference and conference days, as well as limited medical insurance. The form to apply for a Wikimania Travel Scholarship for Wikimania 2027 will be open from September 22th to November 4th, 2026.
Note: The application form may be unavailable during certain hours on October 15th, 2026 due to necessary platform updates.
Who can apply?
As in the past, anyone who is able to prove contribution to or activities in Wikimedia is welcome to apply. Examples are as follows:
- Contributions to Wikimedia projects (e.g. creating and editing content, adding references, patrolling, mentoring new users, translating, etc.)
- Active involvement (other than just membership and fulfilling member duties) in some form of Wikimedia group or organization (committee, hub, chapter, thematic organization, or user group)
- Participation in Wikimedia-organized events (e.g., photographers contributing to Wiki Loves Monuments, workshop attendees)
- Participation in a Wikimedia program (e.g., GLAM partnership or education program)
- Organization of Wikimedia events or contests (e.g., WLM, edit-a-thons)
- Being a steward, CheckUser, VRT member, interface admin, admin, or other advanced rights holder (current or former)
- Being a Wikimedia Foundation grantee
- MediaWiki code contributions, gadget or other tool-building for Wikimedia projects
These are just examples, though. Go to the section Detailed advice, read the recommendations in the table, and think about how you would answer the questions your way.
If you have questions, go to the section "Who can apply" in the FAQ. If you have further questions, you can email wikimania-scholarships
wikimedia.org.
What is the process for a Wikimania scholarship?
In general, we expect the workflow for funding decisions to go through the following steps:
- Individuals submit the application forms via LimeSurvey.
- Individuals will see a confirmation screen and will be guided to save the submission as a PDF if they wish to do so.
- The Scholarships working group reviews for eligibility.
- The Scholarships working group reviews applications. We will also run a Trust & Safety process to confirm your eligibility in the later stage of the process.
- Individuals are informed of the decision and are asked for personal information to enable the Wikimedia Foundation to book transport and accommodation with around 1 week of confirmation deadline. In the case of individuals failing to confirm within the deadlines, the scholarship will be awarded to the next candidate in line.
- The Wikimedia Foundation books and confirms transport and accommodation.
- The scholars fulfill their volunteer duties for Wikimania, either during or after the event.
Orientation session recordings
For an overview of the Wikimania Scholarship program and tips on how to make the most of your online application, please review the recordings and supporting materials from the Road to Wikimania 2027: Scholarship Orientation Sessions, which took place on October 9, 2026.
- Spanish recording of the session
- English recording of the session
Spanish slide deck
English slide deck
Portuguese slide deck
French slide deck
Advice for filling out the application form
- Filling out the application form will take approximately 45–60 minutes. You can not edit the application after submission. You can only edit it before submission if you don't clear your cookies. We recommend working on your application in a separate document and copy/pasting over your answers when ready, to avoid any risk of losing your work. Please do not submit an application twice.
- In the last page of the application form, you will see the option to print your submission. This option will guide you to export the application to PDF format for your own personal back up — only if needed.
- You may submit your application in any of the Wikimania 2027 languages–Spanish, Portuguese or English. Also, please keep in mind that you will need a working level of English or Spanish for travel and volunteering at the event anyway.
- We kindly request an honest delineation of individual contributions in group efforts. We do not accept accomplishments that cannot be proven or are untruthfully claimed as solely individual, if in fact these were group efforts. Add a link to Diff, a wiki page, or even a social media post that will allow us to check if you did what you claim as yours. If you did make contributions as part of a team, what was your specific role within the team and how did you collaborate with others?
| Question | Tip |
|---|---|
| Travel and contact details | In this section, please be precise with your answers. Further questions about information inside your passport, etc., will be requested only if you are a successful recipient. |
| Statistical demographics | We ask for this information for statistical purposes, in order to ensure that the diversity of applications is reflected in scholarship awards. Answering these questions is fully optional. This data will only be reported in aggregate. |
| Assessment questions | The following questions are the primary questions from which your application will be assessed. We are eager to read good insights with supportive links. |
| The theme for Wikimania 2027 is "The Internet we want." What does this mean to you? | We are looking for creative and insightful answers on how this theme resonates with your contributions to Wikimedia. How has your work contributed to supporting “The Internet we want” within our movement? One paragraph answer is recommended. Please support any references to your own work with links where possible. |
| If a person asked you, "what impact have you or your local community made in the Wikimedia movement", what would you say? If you are a newcomer in the Wikimedia Movement, what inspired you to join our community? | We are looking to understand how you explain your involvement in Wikimedia to people within the movement, and people who may not have much background knowledge about the movement or your community. What impact have your contributions had? How have you worked with your community to advance our free knowledge mission? For newcomers who may have less to share so far by way of impact, we’d like to understand how you got here and what you are looking to gain and contribute to our movement. One paragraph answer is recommended. Please support any references to your own work with links where possible. |
| Tell us about your recent involvement in your home wiki or the broader Wikimedia movement. What have you built or contributed to in order to improve your wiki or community? Have you led or organized any of these activities? Which activity mattered the most to you personally, regardless of outcome? | For this question, we are mostly assessing the last 18 months of involvement and activities, so please be intentional in underlining these. If necessary, you can also indicate longer-lasting activities with a history and participation in them. A two to three paragraph answer is recommended. Please support any references to your own work with links where possible. |
| How do you usually share your experiences (or things you‘ve learned) with your community? How will you share what you have learned at Wikimania 2027? Examples of on-wiki summaries, reports, blog posts, meetup talks, etc., are welcome here. Please include links to examples. | In the answer we value a concrete, verifiable plan of sharing the Wikimania experience after Wikimania 2027. A bullet point list with some explanation/context is a fine format for this response. |
| Are you a functionary on the Wikimedia projects? Do you hold any extended user rights like admin, steward, check user rights, or perform functions behind the scenes to ensure the safety, smooth operation, and sustainability of Wikimedia projects like patrolling, discussing Did you know articles etc? If so, please describe. | This year Wikimania is back awarding 50 scholarships to support participation and fostering discussions on safety, privacy, and tools. We are interested in learning more about the characteristics of applicants with extended user rights. Please provide some examples of your work, adding links where possible. |
| If you have used AI tools other than translation, grammar, or spell-checking tools to complete any part of this application, please copy and paste all AI queries below. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in the revocation of your scholarship. This information will not be shared with reviewers. | This question will not be taken into account for the evaluation, as it aims to identify how we use AI and enable us to explain it. |
Criteria for immediate refusal
 |
Applications will fail phase 1 if any of the following failing criteria apply:
The Core Organizing Team is cooperating with the Wikimedia Foundation and in some cases, Wikimedia hubs or affiliates to determine the final list of scholars. We reserve the right to remove certain people due to their conduct on/off-wiki. Examples would be those on global and event ban lists, under sanctions from the Universal Code of Conduct (UCoC), or otherwise known to the COT as rule breakers. |
Applications for which no failing criteria apply will pass into phase 2 for further evaluation.
FAQ
Where will Wikimania 2027 take place?
Wikimania 2027 will take place in Santiago, Chile.
Who can apply?
- Are the scholarships only for first-time Wikimania participants?
We will be prioritizing applications from those who best fulfill the criteria of contributing to the Wikimania experience. We will take into account how the scholarship would enhance the applicants' contributions to the mission after the event.
- Are there any age restrictions?
To be eligible for a scholarship, you must be at least 18 years old at the time of application, in accordance with the Wikimedia Foundation Scholarship Travel Policy.
- I am not part of an affiliate. How do I apply for funding?
Individuals are able to apply regardless of their affiliate membership status.
- I am a Wikimedia Foundation staff member. Can I apply?
Not as staff. The Core Organizing Team does not provide scholarships to Wikimedia Foundation staff. Attendance of Wikimedia Foundation staff and Trustees is covered by the Wikimedia Foundation.
- I am a Scholarship working group member. Can I apply?
Yes. Volunteer scholarship reviewers will be eligible for a scholarship opportunity. To avoid conflict of interest, their applications will be reviewed by a team made of Core Organizing Team members and past Wikimania scholarship reviewers.
- If I can't attend Wikimania in person, how can I participate?
There will be an option to join virtually, as it will have elements of being a hybrid event.
You may choose to organize a watch party, a local event with activities, or build your event around participation in Wikimania’s programme. This year though we will not be funding Wikimania-related events organized by affiliates from the Wikimania grants fund; funding for the meetup can be requested via the regular grant process.
- What is the funding limit?
There is no dollar amount or value. Applicants will be fairly considered regardless of the region in which they reside and that region’s proximity or distance to the event.
What is the process?
- When will the Wikimania 2027 scholarship application open and end?
The application phase opens on September 22 and closes on November 4th.
- Can I submit applications for a scholarship after the deadline?
No. This is to ensure that final decision results are released on time and in fairness to all applicants. We recommend submitting applications at least a few days before the deadline to avoid missing it.
- Can I submit my application in a language other than English?
Yes. The Scholarship working group members will try their best to review the application.
If possible, we prefer one of the three official languages of the event: English, Spanish, or Portuguese. You will need a working level of Spanish or English for travel and volunteering at the event.
- Can I edit my application after submission?
No. Draft your application carefully and ensure that you write everything you need to write before submission. Please do not submit an application twice; this creates a lot of additional work for reviewers.
- When will the submissions for the Wikimania scholarship be reviewed?
Submissions will be reviewed by the Scholarships working group on an ongoing basis.
- What are my chances of getting a scholarship?
In previous years, we have seen completed applications ranging from 1000 to just over 2000. In 2026 we awarded 300 scholarships, and in 2027 we are looking to award a similar number.
For the last in person Wikimania before the pandemic, there were 117 scholarships. This increased by 70% to 200 in 2023 after the pandemic and in 2026 the total stood at ~300 scholarships- almost triple from 2019. In 2027, we hope to offer 330, another increase of 10%. This will include 50 scholarships from the Users with Extended Rights category.
The Scholarships working group of the Core Organizing Team leads the review process with support from the Wikimedia Foundation Trust & Safety team to ensure the eligibility of selected scholars.
- How will scholarships be reviewed and awarded?
We will encourage you to provide the suitable answer and link accordingly on LimeSurvey. Once all applications have been successfully completed and therefore all of the data has been collected, the Scholarship working group will determine which people will become scholars, working with the support of the Wikimedia Foundation Trust & Safety team to ensure eligibility.
- Why do we need a trust and safety check?
We want to create a safe space for all Wikimania attendees to relax and enjoy themselves. The trust and safety checks help us verify that in-person attendees are in good standing within the community. We run trust and safety checks for all in-person attendees, including scholars.
- When will I receive feedback on my scholarship application?
Offers will start going out in February All applicants will be notified of their outcome as quickly as possible. This may take a couple of weeks, as some people's circumstances may prevent them from accepting.
- How will applicants for scholarships be notified of the results?
We will use the e-mail address provided on the application to notify applicants. All applicants will be contacted at some point, regardless of the result. We encourage you to use your active email address or provide your active username account in the application form.
- Last year the tickets sold out very quickly. If I do not get a scholarship or decide not to apply for one, will I be able to get a ticket?
Last year we saw unprecedented demand for Wikimania, and tickets sold out quickly as a result. While demand fluctuates year to year, our aim is that everyone interested in purchasing gets advanced notice of tickets going on sale and is ready to request a ticket when registration opens. We have reviewed feedback received during last year’s process and are working on a new process to facilitate this. More information to come.
Please note that invitations to register for in-person attendance will only be extended to those who have passed trust and safety checks. (See above: "Why do we need a trust and safety check?")
- Where can I find support/help during the Wikimania application process?
The Core Organizing Team will organize meetings for different regions and will answer questions coming into wikimania-scholarshipswikimedia.org, Wikimania Telegram Channel, and @WikimaniaScholarships account in Telegram. In general, this support will cover:
- Clarifying questions on the submissions
- The Dos and Don'ts of application submissions
- The issues during the application submission
- Next steps after submissions
- What if I don’t get funded
I have received / not received a scholarship, and...
- What expenses are not covered by the scholarship?
- Visa application fees and expenses related to extending your stay beyond Wikimania.
- Any upgrades, additional meals, or complimentary services in your ticket or hotel services (room services, laundry, etc.)
- What type of per diem will be included in the allowance?
For meals and incidental expenses from the arrival to departure from Wikimania. Scholars may also use these funds to cover any visa expenses they may incur.
- Can I travel with a guest?
The scholarship will only cover scholars’ travel arrangements. If you are bringing a guest and want to share the room, you need to pay the additional fee directly to the front desk upon arrival. Please note that we cannot guarantee your guest will be able to secure a ticket to the conference - that is subject to availability and the Trust and Safety process. We would also not be able to guarantee availability of an additional shuttle seat for your guest should we end up offering shuttles between the airport and hotel for scholars.
- After Wikimanía ends, do I need to fill out any paperwork or create any reports as a scholarship recipient for the Wikimedia Foundation?
Instead of writing a formal report, all scholars are expected to volunteer for 3-5 hours during the event. We will work with each scholar on finding a role that suits their interests, skills and experience. All Wikimania participants will also be asked to fill out a survey about their experience at the event.
We also encourage scholars to share their experience with their network and community! Many scholars have shared their Wikimania experience across various channels such as Instagram and Diff.
- Can I pass my scholarship to someone else?
No. To provide equality, the scholarship will be reviewed to a certain order of merits. If a recipient will confirm to decline it, we will pass it to the next person in the order of the review.
- If I decline the scholarship for this year, can I pass it to next year’s Wikimania?
No. Each year Wikimania was set under different themes under the consideration of each COT in certain regions. We will encourage you to apply again for the following year, but we will ensure to consider your continuous valuable contribution in our review process.
- If I didn’t receive a scholarship, can I ask the scholarship group to review my application again?
No. Our review process involves several meticulous steps, and regrettably, it can only be completed once.
- I applied for a scholarship but did not get it. What do I do now?
Getting a scholarship is not necessary for attending Wikimania; you can also register to attend as long as you can cover your own costs.
If you can't cover your own costs, we strongly encourage you to get in touch with an affiliate in your region. They might be running their own scholarship program or hosting a local event!
- What are the best channels to follow for updates?
- For general scholarships updates and any additional information, you can watchlist this page here on Wikimania Wiki.
- Send your inquiries to Wikimania email - wikimaniawikimedia.org for general information and wikimania-scholarshipwikimedia.org for wikimania scholarships.
- We also maintain a scholarship Telegram handle @WikimaniaScholarships, the monitoring hours are from 7am to 7pm UTC.
While it may not be possible for the team to monitor every space where scholarships happen to be discussed within the community, we will be monitoring all of these channels.
I have more questions and they are not in this FAQ
You can reach out to the committee any time at wikimania-scholarshipswikimedia.org. We will be hosting open calls for everyone interested in Wikimania to come in and ask questions on: Programming, Grants, Logistics, Celebrations, how to get involved with Wikimania. You are welcome to join calls live or watch any recordings. Scholarships open calls took place on October 9; recordings and session materials are available for those.
Related affiliate events funding
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( In the past years, this was called Satellite events)
Wikimedia affiliates may use funds already obtained through the Wikimedia Foundation General Support Fund (GSF) to run a Wikimania-related event locally, even if such an event was not initially included in their GSF proposal. The GSF grantees have the ability to move funds around their budget as needed, and, per the General Support Fund agreement, the Foundation only requests that Program Officers be informed if that variance is more than 20% from the original proposal. We encourage all affiliates interested in hosting a Wikimania-related event to coordinate between themselves, encouraging collaboration and connection amongst Wikimedians and to better promote their events.
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