About this opportunity
Some fellowships ask for a CV and a promise. This one asks you to start learning first and apply once you have something concrete to show. The Internet Society Fellowship Program runs for 10 months and combines pre-fellowship training, foundational learning, mentorship, a practical project you design for your own community, and engagement at Internet policy and technical events.
You pick one of three tracks before you begin: Internet Policy and Mobilization, Internet Connectivity, or Internet Safety and Security. The pre-fellowship training takes about 2.5 months and is where you build the project plan you will apply with, so the plan is realistic, locally grounded and achievable inside the fellowship period. Enrolment for the 2026/2027 training run is open from 23 September to 22 November 2026 and is self paced.
The support on offer is practical rather than symbolic. Fellows receive a project stipend of up to USD 5,000 once their project budget is approved, a mentor whose work matches their track, travel support to attend one relevant global or regional event such as the Internet Governance Forum or the African Policy Forum on Internet Governance, and access to the Internet Society Alumni Network. The 2026/2027 cohort executes its mentored projects between 1 June and 30 November 2027, delivers final work on 3 December 2027 and graduates in early December 2027.
It suits people who are already embedded in a local Internet conversation and want structure, budget and a network around that work. It does not suit those looking for a purely academic research year, since the program is explicitly oriented to real world change through projects, advocacy, training and community initiatives.
What you receive
- A dedicated mentor aligned with your project area and fellowship track or sub-track
- A project stipend of up to USD 5,000 on submission and approval of your project budget
- Travel support to attend one global or regional Internet event, for example the IGF, AfPIF or an NDSS Symposium
- Access to a global network of Internet leaders and the Internet Society Alumni Network
- Structured learning across pre-fellowship training, foundational modules and weekly sessions
Who can apply
- You are working on a project, advocacy, training or community initiative with a clear local Internet impact
- You select one track and sub-track and enrol in the pre-fellowship training and project development experience
- You complete all required pre-fellowship training modules before 22 November 2026
- You have a high level of reading, speaking and writing skill in English
- You have reliable Internet access and the equipment to join virtual sessions throughout the program
- You can take part in weekly sessions and commit at least four hours a week across the 10 months
- You hold a valid passport with at least six months validity beyond your anticipated travel dates
Who should not apply
- Applicants currently taking part in a 2026 Internet Society fellowship are not eligible
- The program favours concrete action over purely academic or theoretical work
- Enrolment in the pre-fellowship training does not automatically give access to the fellowship benefits
- A project must be achievable within the fellowship residency period, so open-ended proposals do not qualify
Documents to prepare
- A completed pre-fellowship training record, which unlocks the fellowship application link
- A locally grounded project plan developed during the training period
- Details of your track and sub-track selection
- Confirmation of your passport validity for fellowship related travel
How to apply
- Enrol in the Internet Society pre-fellowship training between 23 September and 22 November 2026 at https://learning.internetsociety.org/learn/course/5793/isoc-fellowship-application
- Choose your track and sub-track from Internet Policy and Mobilization, Internet Connectivity, or Internet Safety and Security
- Complete all required training modules and build a realistic project plan during the 2.5 month training period
- Receive the fellowship application link by email within 24 hours of your completion being confirmed
- Submit your fellowship application on a rolling basis, and no later than 18 December 2026
- If selected, join the kick-off and onboarding on 22 February 2027 and run your mentored project from 1 June to 30 November 2027
Selection process
- Pre-fellowship training enrolment runs from 23 September to 22 November 2026 and is self paced
- Fellowship applications open on a rolling basis as soon as a trainee completes the modules, and close on 18 December 2026
- Applications are reviewed and selected between 21 December 2026 and 29 January 2027
- Fellowship notifications and acceptance take place on 19 February 2027
- Kick-off and onboarding happen on 22 February 2027
- Mentored project execution runs from 1 June to 30 November 2027, with final project delivery on 3 December 2027
- Graduation takes place in early December 2027
Sources and verification
- Official source , Discovered by the opportunity automation module.
Questions applicants ask
Do I apply for the fellowship first or the training first?
The training comes first. You must enrol in and complete all required pre-fellowship training modules before 22 November 2026, and the fellowship application link is emailed to you within 24 hours of that completion being confirmed.
How much time does the fellowship take each week?
The program asks for a minimum of four hours per week across the 10 months, including weekly sessions, alongside the work on your own project.
Is the USD 5,000 paid to everyone who is accepted?
It is a project stipend of up to USD 5,000, released on submission and approval of your project budget, and it goes to fellows who complete the application and selection process and are offered a place.
Can I still apply if I am already an Internet Society fellow?
No. Applicants cannot be currently taking part in a 2026 Internet Society fellowship.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
