UKFSN is to use the profits it makes from broadband subscriptions and hosting to help fund the programme. It has already identified and started supporting its first funded student – an important contributor to Unbuntu – and expects to be supporting three students by September this year and as many as 15 by the end of 2009.

The idea, says Jason Clifford who runs the UKFSN, is to reward the valuable development work that these students produce and encourage them to do even more. “Students have always made a major contribution to the on-doing development of open source software but receive little in return barring the recognition and admiration of their peers. The scheme will give them something that will help to support and sustain their efforts and make it easier for them to continue with both their studies and their contributions to the on-going development of free software.”

Students identified by the scheme will receive a salary of around £4800 from September 2007 (the amount is slightly lower during the start-up phase). This will be enough, says Jason, to support the funded student’s basic living expenses. “It will free them up from the worry of having to work in a less than wonderful job in order to meet their needs.”

More information on the scheme can be found at: http://www.ukfsn.org/profits.html