Chris Nicol. Photo: APC The APC Chris Nicol FOSS Prize recognises initiatives that are making it easy for people to start using free and open source software (FOSS). The prize is awarded to a person or group doing extraordinary work to make FOSS accessible to ordinary computer users.

The APC FOSS Prize was established to honor Chris Nicol, a long time FOSS advocate and activist who for many years worked with APC.

We look for initiatives that:

• Improve the accessibility to, knowledge of and/or usability of FOSS
• Are user-oriented
• Are documented so that others can learn from and replicate the model
• Have demonstrable impact and have increased the number of people using FOSS on a day-to-day basis

The prize is open to:

Any person or group anywhere in the world who supports or promotes user-oriented free and open source software. The application form must be completed in either English or Spanish however there are no language restrictions regarding the language of the project. Small-scale activities are encouraged to apply.

Prize money of USD $4,000 is offered. This may be shared by up to three initiatives at the jury’s discretion.

The prize was first awarded in 2007. The date for the next award has not been established.