Introduction
If you are an open source maintainer, you know better than anyone where technical specifications fall apart in practice. Yet participating in the bodies that set those standards—like the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)—has often been a luxury reserved for employees of large tech companies. The Sovereign Tech Agency wants to change that. Their new pilot program, Sovereign Tech Standards, offers selected open source maintainers a monthly stipend of €4,800 to €5,200 plus expenses to contribute roughly 10 hours per week to standards development work over a year. This guide walks you through everything you need to know to apply, from understanding the program to submitting a competitive application.
What You Need
- An active open source project that you maintain or co-maintain, with a clear connection to standards at IETF, W3C, or ISO.
- Approximately 10 hours per week availability from mid-June 2026 to June 2027 to attend meetings, review drafts, and contribute.
- Passion for improving standards—prior experience with standards bodies is not required, but willingness to learn is essential.
- Basic understanding of the relevant standard(s) your project relies on.
- Access to the internet for virtual meetings and the ability to travel occasionally (travel expenses are covered).
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
The program is open to active open source maintainers worldwide—there are no geographic restrictions. To qualify, your project must relate in some way to standards developed at IETF, W3C, or ISO. This could mean your software implements a specific specification (like HTTP, HTML, or TLS), or you regularly use standards as part of your project's architecture. You do not need prior experience participating in standards bodies—the agency is specifically looking for fresh perspectives from maintainers who work hands-on with these standards every day.
Step 2: Understand the Commitment
The pilot runs from late June 2026 through June 2027. Selected participants are expected to dedicate about 10 hours per week to standards work. This includes attending working group meetings, reviewing documents, contributing to mailing list discussions, and possibly traveling to in-person meetings (travel costs covered). The time commitment is designed to be sustainable alongside your regular open source work—not a full-time job replacement.
Step 3: Review the Selection Criteria
The selection panel will score applications based on four main dimensions:
- Foundational importance of the relevant standard—how critical is it to the internet's infrastructure?
- Your proposed work plan—what specific contributions do you intend to make to that standard's development?
- Missing perspectives—does your background as a maintainer bring a viewpoint currently underrepresented in that working group?
- Your history as a maintainer—including your project's impact, activity level, and community involvement.
Think about these criteria as you prepare your application.
Step 4: Identify Your Target Standard and Working Group
Pick one standard (or a small set of related standards) that your open source project directly uses or implements. Then identify which body—IETF, W3C, or ISO—oversees it, and which specific working group handles it. This will be the focus of your proposed participation. Common examples include HTML/CSS (W3C), HTTP/QUIC (IETF), or encryption protocols (ISO/IEC). Your application should explain why you chose this standard and how your hands-on experience will improve it.
Step 5: Prepare Your Application Materials
You will need to submit an application that covers:
- Your open source project (name, description, links, and evidence of active maintenance).
- Your connection to the standard (e.g., “I maintain a DNS library that implements RFC 1035”).
- Your proposed work plan (what you hope to achieve, e.g., submitting a draft, participating in codevelopment of a spec).
- Your perspective (what unique insight you bring as a maintainer).
- Any prior standards involvement (optional—not required).
Be specific and concrete. Show you understand the current challenges of the standard and have ideas to address them.
Step 6: Submit Your Application Before the Deadline
Applications open now and must be submitted by May 19, 2026, at 11:59 PM CEST. There is no fee. Use the official application portal on the Sovereign Tech Standards website. Double-check that you’ve included all required information and that your project links work correctly.
Step 7: Wait for Review and Notification
After the deadline, the selection panel will review all applications during May 2026. Successful applicants will be notified in June 2026. The cohort will include up to 10 maintainers. If selected, you’ll receive a monthly stipend between €4,800 and €5,200, plus coverage for Standards Development Organization (SDO) participation fees, travel, and onboarding costs.
Step 8: Prepare to Participate
If accepted, the program kicks off at the end of June 2026. You’ll be paired with a mentor or orientation to help you get up to speed with the working group’s processes. Start familiarizing yourself with the group’s mailing list, meeting schedule, and latest drafts before Day 1. The Sovereign Tech Agency will also provide onboarding support to help you hit the ground running.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Be authentic. The panel values real-world maintainer experience over polished jargon. Explain honestly how the standard affects your project and what you wish were different.
- Show impact. If your project has many users or is critical to the web, mention that. But even small projects with dedicated communities can contribute valuable insights.
- Don’t worry about prior standards experience. Many maintainers feel intimidated by IETF/W3C/ISO processes, but the program is explicitly designed to bring in newcomers. You will learn on the job.
- Plan for the time commitment. Be realistic about your availability. Ten hours a week for a year is significant—ensure you can dedicate that time without burning out your regular project maintenance.
- Connect with other maintainers. Reach out to peers who have participated in standards work. Their advice can help you shape a more convincing proposal.
- Proofread. A clear, well-organized application reflects professionalism and care. Have someone else review it before you submit.
The Sovereign Tech Standards program is a rare opportunity for independent open source maintainers to get paid for shaping the very standards they build upon. If you meet the eligibility criteria, don’t hesitate—apply before May 19, 2026, and help make the internet’s technical foundation stronger for everyone.