The Early Career Fellowship is the Internet Society’s leadership programme for people early in an Internet-related career, whether their work is technical, policy, economic or social. Fifteen fellows are selected once a year and move through the six-month programme together, entirely online. Taught modules on Internet architecture, governance, policy, access, project management and digital diplomacy sit alongside mentoring, monthly coaching and an Internet Society advisor. Each fellow carries a project of their own through the programme and presents it at a closing symposium. The Internet Society covers the cost of the programme itself; fellows supply their own device and Internet connection.
Benefits & funding
- Six months of structured coursework — 24 weeks — opening with onboarding and a personalised learning plan, then five core modules: Internet ecosystem, trending Internet issues, Internet access, project management, and advocacy, communications and digital diplomacy.
- Faculty and partner organisations named on the programme page: Dr. Laura DeNardis, Dr. Mike Barger, the Oxford Internet Institute, Diplo Foundation, the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, Rhizomatica and Pyramid Learning.
- Project mentorship with an expert in the fellow’s field, monthly coach check-ins, and an advisor on getting involved with the Internet Society.
- A leadership development guest-speaker series, plus access to Internet Society online courses such as encryption and Internet governance.
- All programme costs — academic coursework, online sessions and other programme elements — are covered by the Internet Society. Fellows provide their own device, materials and broadband connection.
- Accessibility stipends may be available where certain conditions are met, to improve the quality, strength or speed of a fellow’s Internet connection so they can take part fully.
- A certificate from the Internet Society on completion, and a final project presentation at the closing symposium.
Eligibility
- An undergraduate or vocational degree, or at least three years of work experience in an Internet-related field.
- Fewer than ten years of working experience in an Internet-related field.
- An innovative and impactful project proposal for growing or strengthening the Internet.
- Reliable access to a broadband Internet connection and a relevant device.
- Availability to take part fully throughout the programme, a minimum of six hours a week, and to complete all 24 weeks and attend the required seminars. The eligibility list on the programme page describes this as a five-month experience, while the FAQ and the programme description state six months.
- Proficiency in spoken and written English.
- Applicants become Internet Society members.
- No nationality, residency or age bar is published. The 2026 cohort came from Australia, Canada, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Lebanon, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Spain, Uganda and the United Kingdom.
Can you apply?
Worth a closer look
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Experience required
≤ 9 yrs
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We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Join the Internet Society as a member.
- 2Complete the online application form during the annual call — the 2026 call ran from 29 January to 17 February 2026.
- 3Include a video of up to three minutes, in your own words, describing the project idea, the progress made so far and the milestones you intend to reach.
- 4Candidacies go through a multi-step evaluation by the Internet Society Fellowship Selection Committee, made up of leaders from the Internet Society community, the programme team and subject-matter experts.
- 5Every candidate is notified whether or not they move forward. The 2026 fellows were announced on 2 April 2026.
- 6Selected fellows begin at the cohort kickoff, 5 April 2026 for the 2026 cohort.
Program timeline
Applications open
Jan 29, 2026
Application deadline
Feb 17, 2026
Fellows announced
Apr 2, 2026
Cohort kickoff, programme begins
Apr 5, 2026
Six months after kickoff
closing symposium, where each fellow presents their project (the 2024 cohort ran April to September)
Annually
a new cohort each year, with the cycle beginning in February. The 2027 call has not yet been published.