Applications are now open for the 2026 Early Career Fellowship offered by the Internet Society, a programme aimed at nurturing the next generation of professionals working to protect and strengthen the open nature of the Internet.
The fellowship is designed for early career professionals who operate at the intersection of technology, policy, economics, and society, and who are interested in developing projects that support a secure, inclusive, and globally connected Internet. The programme responds to growing challenges facing the Internet’s core principles, including openness, collaboration, and trust.
Emphasis on leadership and impact
The fellowship is six months long and provides the participants with skills in leadership, advocacy, communications, diplomacy, and project management. The fellows interact with mentors and experts while developing their own projects that are Internet-focused.
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According to programme details, fellows gain access to leading academics and practitioners, including Professor Dr. Laura DeNardis of American University and scholars associated with the Oxford Internet Institute. The curriculum combines structured learning with collaborative project work, allowing participants to translate ideas into actionable outcomes.
Each year, 15 fellows are selected for the cohort. The programme includes seminars, guided discussions, peer learning, mentoring sessions and networking opportunities. It concludes with a final project presentation at a closing symposium.
Who can apply
The fellowship is open to early career professionals with fewer than ten years of experience in Internet-related fields. Applicants must hold an undergraduate or vocational degree or have at least three years of relevant professional experience. A strong project proposal related to the Internet ecosystem is required.
Candidates must also demonstrate proficiency in English, have reliable broadband access, and be able to commit at least six hours per week throughout the programme. Full participation, including attendance at mandatory sessions across time zones, is expected.
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Key dates for the 2026 cohort
Applications for the 2026 cohort opened on January 29 and will close on February 17. Successful candidates will be informed by April 2, with the cohort scheduled to begin on April 5. Applications are reviewed through a multi-step, confidential evaluation process that prioritises professional, geographic, and gender diversity.
The Internet Society has encouraged candidates with a clear vision for the Internet’s future and a commitment to global collaboration to apply through the official online application portal.
