ICANN Fellowship Program 2026–2027: Fully Funded Internet Governance Fellowship for Global Professionals

ICANN Fellowship Program 2026–2027 | Fully Funded Internet Governance Fellowship. Apply for the ICANN Fellowship Program 2026–2027. Receive travel funding, mentorship, training, and participate in global Internet governance through ICANN meetings. Applications close 21 August 2026.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has opened applications for the ICANN Fellowship Program 2026–2027, a fully funded international fellowship designed to strengthen participation in global Internet governance by supporting individuals from underserved and underrepresented communities worldwide.

The fellowship offers participants the opportunity to attend an official ICANN Public Meeting, receive professional mentoring, participate in specialized training, and build the knowledge and skills needed to actively contribute to Internet policy development and the Domain Name System (DNS).

Whether you are an early-career professional, technical expert, policymaker, academic, civil society representative, or Internet governance enthusiast, the ICANN Fellowship Program provides an excellent platform to engage with the global multistakeholder Internet community.

About the ICANN Fellowship Program

The ICANN Fellowship Program aims to promote greater diversity and strengthen participation in the multistakeholder model that governs critical aspects of the global Internet.

Participants receive comprehensive preparation before, during, and after an ICANN Public Meeting while working alongside experienced community members and policy experts.

Each Fellow is assigned an experienced mentor who provides guidance throughout the programme and supports continued engagement within the ICANN community.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected Fellows will receive:

Travel assistance to attend an ICANN Public Meeting.
Comprehensive fellowship training before, during, and after the meeting.
Individual mentorship from experienced ICANN community members.
Networking opportunities with global Internet governance experts.
Capacity-building in Internet policy development.
Exposure to Domain Name System (DNS) operations and security.
Opportunities for long-term participation in ICANN’s multistakeholder community.

If ICANN meetings are held virtually, the fellowship will also be conducted virtually while maintaining its core learning components.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are open to candidates from all countries and regions.

Applicants must:

Be at least 21 years old.
Demonstrate an interest in Internet governance or already participate in areas related to:
- ICANN policy development.
- Domain Name System (DNS) operations.
- Internet security and stability.
Complete the required ICANN Learn courses.
Not be participating in another ICANN-supported travel programme during the fellowship.
Have received no more than two previous ICANN Fellowships.
Returning applicants must demonstrate continued engagement within an ICANN community.

For Policy Forum Fellowships, applicants must have successfully completed a previous ICANN Fellowship.

Fellowship Responsibilities

Selected Fellows are expected to:

Participate in the Fellowship mentoring programme.
Complete additional mandatory ICANN Learn courses.
Attend all required fellowship sessions and ICANN Public Meeting activities.
Network with ICANN community members and fellowship alumni.
Complete the required post-meeting evaluation survey.
Continue contributing to ICANN policy development and community activities after completing the programme.

Fellowship Awards

Tarek Kamel Fellowship Recognition

Returning Fellows who demonstrate exceptional contributions to ICANN’s capacity-building efforts may be considered for the Tarek Kamel Fellowship Recognition.

Paul Muchene Fellow Award

Applicants living or working in the African region with a technical background may be considered for the Paul Muchene Fellow Award, which honours the late ICANN Fellow and staff member Paul Muchene.

ICANN88 Community Forum Fellowship

Applications are currently open for participation in the:

ICANN88 Community Forum

Meeting Details

Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Meeting Dates: 13–18 March 2027

Application Timeline

Applications Opened: 21 July 2026
Application Deadline: 21 August 2026 (23:59 UTC)
Successful Applicants Announced: 10 November 2026

Applicants must create an ICANN account before submitting their fellowship application.

Upcoming Fellowship Opportunities

ICANN89 Policy Forum

Location: Vancouver, Canada
Meeting Dates: 14–17 June 2027
Applications Open: 5 November 2026
Application Deadline: 5 December 2026

Only previous ICANN Fellowship alumni are eligible to apply for Policy Forum fellowships.

Selection Criteria

Applications are assessed based on:

Commitment to Internet governance.
Potential to contribute to the ICANN community.
Interest in DNS policy and Internet stability.
Diversity and regional representation.
Motivation for continued engagement after the fellowship.

Why Apply?

The ICANN Fellowship Program is one of the world’s leading capacity-building initiatives in Internet governance.

Participants gain first-hand experience working within the global multistakeholder model while building valuable professional networks with technical experts, policymakers, governments, academia, private sector representatives, and civil society organizations from around the world.

For professionals interested in digital policy, cybersecurity, Internet infrastructure, technology governance, and global digital cooperation, the fellowship provides practical experience that can lead to long-term involvement in international Internet policy discussions.

Application Deadline

21 August 2026 (23:59 UTC)

Interested candidates should complete the required ICANN Learn courses, create an ICANN account, and submit their online application before the deadline.

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