We're transitioning the current Open Health Stack from a Google-led project into an umbrella project at the Linux Foundation — creating a neutral home built to support the global health ecosystem it serves.
The OHS-SF aims to accelerate "next-gen" digital health aligned with the "Full-STAC remedy" approach — co-authored by the WHO Digital Health Unit and a community of partners — by lowering the cost of innovation and promoting open standards for health.
What the foundation will do — and the one thing it deliberately won't.
Supporting standards based development that promote interoperability (HL7 FHIR) and reusable AI commons libraries and tooling (built on skills, MCP).
Identifying initiatives like evals and benchmarks to support efforts to develop safe, effective, Verifiable AI (with WHO and partners).
Promoting person-centered digital transformation and building capacity through events, workshops and bootcamps.
Partnering with standards development organizations and other software foundations to proliferate reference architectures and open standards.
The foundation will not publish standalone, deployable end-user solutions. It builds the blocks; the community builds the applications.
Multiple pathways ensure inclusivity, balance and strategic focus for the global health ecosystem.
Voices from multilaterals, NGOs and Ministries of Health keep the foundation focused on core global health goals.
A capped board size balances voices and recognizes strategic grants on par with membership fees — with the WHO as an invited observer and strategic partner.
A trusted non-profit holds the project's assets and trademark. Decisions are made transparently by those doing the work.
Tiered memberships and grants de-risk the project — no single funder, no single point of failure.
An umbrella structure ready to house new initiatives like an AI Commons — ready for what comes next.
The Linux Foundation shared "Foundation-as-a-Service" model keeps overheads low meaning the majority of funds support coordination of technical projects and the community.
Help shape the charter, budget and direction — and build an enduring association with a first-of-its-kind initiative.
Standard tiers · Linux Foundation model
For organizations shaping the foundation. Includes a dedicated Governing Board seat, a hand in the charter, budget and direction, and founding-member brand association. Up-front grants may be accepted in lieu of fees.
The fee scales with organization size — indicatively $10k/year up to 100 employees. General members nominate a board representative (one per five members, up to three total) and take part in working groups and the technical, outreach and other committees.
Reserved for approved non-profit, academic and government entities. Associate members may stand for election to the Governing Board (one seat available) and participate fully in working groups and committees.
Additional pathways · OHS-SF
The standard $10k/year General fee is waived to maximize accessibility for entrepreneurs in lower- and middle-income countries, with full participation in working groups.
We are open to mission aligned grants or financial sponsorships for specific projects or activities that support the foundations work.