OSDL offers cash boost for Linux development

The OSDL Fellowship Fund will provide resources to engineers working on Linux and open source projects

The Open Source Development Labs (OSDL) has moved to boost Linux kernel development with the launch of a fund to provide financial support for open source software developers.

The pro-Linux organisation's OSDL Fellowship Fund aims to provide resources to engineers working on Linux and open source community projects who do not otherwise have access to financial support. 

"OSDL works with users, vendors and developers to identify where additional work or resources could accelerate development efforts and spur the adoption of Linux and open source software," said OSDL chief executive Stuart Cohen.

"OSDL's new Technology Advisory Board identified the need for a fund that could be used to fill specific gaps in open source development. OSDL's neutrality puts it in a natural position to fill this need and support efforts across the community."

OSDL's board of directors and Technical Advisory Board will evaluate applications for fellowship funding, and determine allocation priorities and levels of financial commitment.

The move comes after OSDL established an intellectual property support fund in 2005 to help provide legal services to Linux and open source software developers.

The Linux Legal Defense Fund was initially established in 2003 to help defend Linus Torvalds during the SCO lawsuit. Today, it supports parties threatened with litigation involving intellectual property issues.

"Sometimes critical open source projects, especially those not directly affiliated with a major technology vendor, can lose focus because their developers have other commitments," said James Bottomley, OSDL board member and chairman of the OSDL Technical Advisory Board.

"The OSDL Fellowship Fund will make resources available for moving these projects forward and gives us an invaluable tool to concentrate on areas deemed important by the Linux community."