The ICANN Fellowship is the most direct funded entry point into global Internet governance for individuals from underserved and underrepresented communities. It places fellows inside one of the most consequential multi-stakeholder processes in technology policy, exposing them to the real decisions being made about the security, stability, and direction of the global internet.
About the ICANN Fellowship
Administered by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the program has run across dozens of ICANN public meetings and has built a growing global alumni network of internet governance practitioners. Fellows attend an ICANN Annual General Meeting or Policy Forum, completing pre-meeting training, mentorship sessions, and structured participation in ICANN’s working groups and community discussions. The ICANN87 Annual General Meeting took place October 17 to 22, 2026 in Bali, Indonesia, with the next cycle opening for ICANN88 on July 21, 2026.
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Funding Size
- Round-trip economy airfare to the ICANN meeting location
- Hotel accommodation for the duration of the meeting
- Daily stipend of up to $500 for personal expenses
- Visa support of up to $200
- All training, mentorship, and meeting participation covered at no cost to the fellow
Who Can Apply
- Individuals aged 21 and above from any country, with priority for underrepresented regions and communities
- Applicants with demonstrated interest in Internet governance, DNS operations, cybersecurity, digital inclusion, or related policy areas
- New applicants must complete required ICANN Learn courses and obtain certificates before submitting
Geographic Eligibility
- Open globally
- Individuals from underserved and underrepresented communities and regions are given priority in selection
Sector or Thematic Focus
- Internet policy development and multi-stakeholder governance
- Domain Name System operations and technical management
- Security and stability of global internet infrastructure
- Digital inclusion and equitable access to internet governance processes
- Cybersecurity, routing technologies, and community capacity building
Application Process
Applications for ICANN88 open July 21, 2026 through the official ICANN Fellowship Program portal. Applicants must hold an ICANN account before starting the application. All required ICANN Learn course certificates must be completed and uploaded alongside the application form. Returning fellows must provide evidence of engagement in the ICANN community since their last fellowship.
Required Materials
- Completed application form submitted through the ICANN Fellowship Program portal
- Active ICANN account
- Completed ICANN Learn course certificates
- Curriculum vitae
- Proof of interest or engagement in internet governance topics
- For returning fellows: evidence of active ICANN community involvement
Key Dates
- ICANN88 application window opens: 21 July 2026
- ICANN87 grantees already announced for Bali, October 2026
- ICANN88 meeting: March 2027, location to be confirmed
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Selection Notes
- Priority is given to applicants from underserved regions who have not previously had access to international internet governance processes
- Returning applicants must demonstrate sustained engagement beyond attendance at previous meetings
- Completing ICANN Learn courses before the deadline is a firm requirement; incomplete applications will not proceed