There's no better way to show a member of the free software community that you appreciate their efforts than by nominating them for a Free Software Award. Whether you're new to the free software community or have been around since the beginning, we ask you to take the time to show your appreciation for a particular member or project's commitment to software freedom. By nominating someone, you send the message that you appreciate their vital work.

Nominate someone today. The deadline for nominations is March 5 at 23:59 EST (04:59 UTC).

Each year, the Free Software Foundation (FSF) presents the Free Software Awards to a select group of individuals and projects as a formal expression of the community's appreciation. With the Free Software Awards, we let these people and projects know that their work is deeply appreciated. It's our way of thanking them for playing an important part in bringing the movement closer to its goals. The date and time of the ceremony will be announced in the coming weeks.

Maybe you've been inspired by the work of a specific member of the free software community, or impressed by a project that made great strides to incorporate free software into its platform for social change. There's been so much great effort put into the free software movement over the past year, and now we would like to invite you to take a moment to acknowledge these endeavors by nominating individuals and projects for an award in one of three categories:

• The Award for the Advancement of Free Software;
• The Award for Projects of Social Benefit; or
• The Award for Outstanding New Free Software Contributor.

Award for the Advancement of Free Software

The FSF Award for the Advancement of Free Software is presented annually to a single individual who has made a great contribution to the progress and advancement of free software through activities that are in accord with the spirit of the community. Previous award winners are listed on the FSF website.

Submit your nomination for the Award for the Advancement of Free Software.

Award for Projects of Social Benefit

The FSF Award for Projects of Social Benefit is presented to an organization or team responsible for applying the principles of the free software movement to a project that intentionally and significantly benefits society in other aspects of life. Previous award winners are listed on the FSF website.

Submit your nomination for the Award for Projects of Social Benefit.

Award for Outstanding New Free Software Contributor

The Award for Outstanding New Free Software Contributor is presented annually to an individual newcomer to the community who has demonstrated an outstanding dedication to software freedom. The award recipient must have made their first significant free software-related contributions in 2024 and show a pattern of ongoing activity. Their contributions may have included things like: empowering the community by organizing local meetups, software development, becoming involved in the strategic or logistical planning of a project, working on documentation, or helping to make improvements in the environment to attract and keep contributors. Previous award winners are listed on the FSF website.

Submit your nomination for the Award for Outstanding New Free Software Contributor.

As the FSF enters its fortieth year, we're looking forward to honoring the wider free software community. The Free Software Awards are a perfect tribute for showing that specific free software volunteer or project you care about their work, and that it inspires you in your own daily journey to freedom. Please take the time to show those special people and projects that you appreciate them by nominating them today.

This work, "Free Software Awards ribbon," is adapted from "Badge Icon" © 2023, Ranjithsiji, used under CC BY-SA 4.0. "Free Software Awards ribbon" © 2025 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 by the Free Software Foundation.