Up to $5,000 Internet Society Fellowship

The Internet Society's Fellowship Program is a 10 month leadership programme for people turning a locally grounded idea into a real project that strengthens the Internet in their community. It replaces the Society's separate Early Career, Mid Career, Youth Ambassador, Community Advocacy and Peering fellowships with one programme in three tracks: Internet Policy and Mobilization, Internet Connectivity, and Internet Safety and Security. To apply you first complete free, self paced online pre-fellowship training, about 30 hours, which also helps you build your project plan.

What you get:

• A project stipend of up to USD 5,000 for justified direct project costs, once your project budget is approved
• A dedicated, professionally trained mentor matched to your project area and sub-track
• Travel support to attend a global or regional Internet event, such as the IGF, AfPIF or the NDSS Symposium
• Membership of the Internet Society Alumni Network and a global network of Internet leaders
• Foundational leadership modules on the Internet ecosystem, leadership, project management, advocacy and communications, plus sub-track expert sessions

What you'll do:

• Choose one track and sub-track and complete the required pre-fellowship courses before applying
• Design and deliver a practical six month project in your community, country or region, such as a policy brief, training programme, awareness campaign, community network plan or technical toolkit
• Give about four hours a week to mentorship, sessions, planning and reporting over the 10 month programme, plus your own project work
• Report on progress and deliver final project outputs, then graduate in December 2027

Key dates:

• Pre-fellowship training enrolment open: 23 September to 22 November 2026
• Complete all required training modules before 22 November 2026 to become eligible to apply
• Fellowship applications close: 18 December 2026 (rolling from the day you finish training)
• Review and selection: 21 December 2026 to 29 January 2027
• Notifications: 19 February 2027
• Kick-off and onboarding: 22 February 2027
• Mentored project execution: 1 June to 30 November 2027
• Final project delivery: 3 December 2027, graduation in early December 2027

More information:

• Track details, required courses and project categories: https://www.internetsociety.org/fellowship/tracks/
• Full FAQ: https://www.internetsociety.org/fellowship/faq/
• The application link is emailed within 24 hours of completing the training; you apply with your own individual project proposal

• Enrol in one track and sub-track of the Pre-Fellowship Training and complete all required modules before 22 November 2026
• Submit a realistic, locally grounded project plan aligned with the Internet Society's mission, achievable within the fellowship
• High level of reading, speaking and writing skills in English
• Reliable, continuous Internet access and equipment to join virtual sessions and calls
• Availability for weekly sessions and at least four hours a week across the 10 month programme
• A passport valid for at least six months beyond the fellowship travel dates
• Not currently taking part in a 2026 Internet Society fellowship
• Individual applications only; each applicant submits their own project