Partner Projects 2026-2027
Wikimedia Australia is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) from Australian organisations and individuals for projects that grow free knowledge and strive for knowledge equity, in line with our 10 Year Strategic Plan (2025–2035).
This funding round is open to organisations and individuals with the capacity and expertise to deliver a project engaging with one or more Wikimedia platforms, including Wikipedia, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons and others. Proposals from applicants with prior Wikimedia experience are strongly encouraged.
Funding: Up to AUD$10,000 per project (minimum AUD$3,000). Up to three projects will be funded this round. Projects will be supported by Wikimedia Australia's new Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) Guide.
Co-contributions (cash or in-kind) are welcome.
Apply for Partner Project Funding
- Submit your Expression of Interest by Monday 14 September 2026, 23:59 in your timezone
- Plan your project with the Best Practice Guide
- Review the Assessment Criteria and Scoring Framework Guidelines
Key dates
- Applications open: Wednesday 12 August 2026
- Deadline for EOI submissions: Monday 14 September 2026, 23:59 in your timezone
- Successful applicants notified: by 30 September 2026
- Funding agreements signed: by 16 October 2026
- Projects start: from late October 2026 (once agreements are signed and first payments made)
- Projects complete: by 31 May 2027
- Final report due: by 28 June 2027
- Optional information session: FAQ session Wednesday 2 September 2026
Selection criteria
Projects should align with the WMAU 10 Year Strategic Plan (2025–2035) and address one or more of our four strategic pillars:
- Grow free knowledge
- Strive for knowledge equity
- Build a stronger organisation
- Celebrate our community
Assessment criteria
Project proposals will be assessed against the WMAU Partner Projects Assessment Criteria and Scoring Framework Guidelines.
What can be funded?
This funding is flexible, and we are open to new ideas. Your project may include aspects such as:
- Hosting a Wikimedian-in-Residence (WiR) or intern in your organisation
- Running training sessions or editathons for specific groups or communities
- Creating or uploading collections, data, images or content to Wikimedia platforms
- Developing tools or integrating data with Wikidata
- Building staff or volunteer skills, drafting open access policies, or improving metadata and citations
Previous projects and examples of successful partnerships are available on our website.
How to apply
- Define your project by working through the Best Practice Guide
- Review the Assessment rubric
- All projects should consider First Nations perspectives and content. Projects involving First Nations peoples, communities or content must be led by or involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Contact us at contact@wikimedia.org.au with questions or to discuss your ideas
- Submit your Expression of Interest using the EOI form by Monday 14 September 2026, 23:59 in your timezone
- If shortlisted, you may be contacted to discuss your proposal in more detail with the WMAU Partner Project Selection Committee during 15–30 September.
- If your EOI is successful, a funding agreement must be signed before funds are transferred. Projects should be underway by late October 2026 and completed by 31 May 2027. A final report is required within four weeks of the end of the project. Reporting is via a blog post, plus an online or in-person presentation.
Important notes
All projects must comply with Wikimedia Foundation and WMAU policies, including:
- Safe Spaces for participants at activities and events
- Licensing: all content must follow Wikimedia Open licensing (usually CC BY-SA or Public Domain)
- Quality: contributions must meet Wikimedia standards for citations, metadata and accuracy
Why partner with Wikimedia?
Wikipedia is consistently one of the most-visited websites in Australia, often appearing at the top of search results. Adding your content to Wikipedia and related platforms:
- Increases visibility of your collections and expertise
- Enhances public access to knowledge
- Drives traffic to your website or resources
- Contributes to a global movement for open knowledge
Further information about Wikimedia Australia
Wikimedia Australia (WMAU) is a registered charity and the official Australian chapter of the international Wikimedia Foundation (WMF). We support individuals and organisations to engage with and contribute to Wikipedia and other Wikimedia platforms through events, training and partnerships. See the WMAU 10 Year Strategic Plan (2025–2035).
Contact
Contact us at contact@wikimedia.org.au if you have questions or would like to discuss your project before applying.