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ICANN Meeting Fellowships

The Fellowship program is one example of how ICANN is supporting the next generation of community members, and is part of the work of ICANN's Development and Public Responsibility Department. This program seeks to create a broader and more regionally diverse base of knowledgeable constituents by reaching out to less developed regions of the world in order to build capacity within the ICANN Multistakeholder Model. Participation in the program at an ICANN Meeting is a "fast track" experience of engagement into that community model, with presentations designed to facilitate understanding of the many pieces and parts of ICANN while providing opportunities to network and promoting interaction with staff and community leaders.

ICANN is undergoing a review regarding the criteria associated with determining candidate eligibility for a Fellowship Application. Currently it is a means-tested program: applicants must either be citizens of eligible countries listed in the World Bank classification as low, lower-middle, and upper-middle economies, or listed in one of the three (3) UN groupings of developing and least developed nations: the AIMS, Pacific and Caribbean which are all Members of SIDN and eligible for consideration in the Program. The UN Listing of SIDN is based on distinctly different criteria that stretch beyond the World Bank's economically deterministic view.

If selected into the program through the online application and review process, each individual is provided a grant of support that covers the cost of economy class airfare, hotel and a stipend. Recipients are expected to engage prior to, during and after the ICANN meeting with the ICANN Fellowship office and alumni coaches, as well as actively contribute to ICANN processes and be a part of the next generation of ICANN volunteers and leaders when the program has ended.

Who may apply for and be awarded a fellowship?

The programme is targeted at individuals who are either new to the ICANN environment, are familiar with ICANN but have yet to attend a face-to-face meeting, or have started participating in ICANN through the program or by other means but are in need of travel funding in order to broaden their knowledge and deepen their engagement. Candidate backgrounds are diverse: government, the ccTLD community, civil society, academic, technical, and security, commercial and non-commercial sectors. These individuals must NOT be involved in or associated with other ICANN supported travel programmes at time of selection.

Successful applicants will have demonstrated:

  • Desire and ability to utilize the experiences gained from the fellowship to become a part of the next generation of ICANN leadership
  • A role or interest in the Internet space
  • An interest in contributing to:
    • ICANN policy development processes
    • The ICANN fellowship alumni network
    • ICANN outreach in their community and region
    • An ICANN supporting organization, advisory committee, stakeholder group or constituency

How are the fellowships awarded?

Fellowships are awarded by an independent selection committee based on a mix of criteria including applicant experience and references, geographic proximity to meeting, receipt of past fellowships, etc. For more information please see the Terms and Conditions.

ICANN may not be able to provide fellowships for all qualified applicants. In the case of a dispute or similar applications final decisions will be made in coordination with the Fellowship Selection Committee.

Current Program Status

Pending Selection of Fellowship Alumni to participate in ICANN56; posting date 4 April 2016.

Upcoming Application Rounds

ICANN56 (Meeting B / Policy Forum) in Helsinki, Finland to be held 27 - 30 June 2016
*Fellowship Program Alumni only

  • Application Round opened: 22 January 2016
  • Application Round closed: 19 February 2016
  • Selected Alumni Fellows announcement: 04 April 2016

* Mtg B Application Round will be a pilot program for Alumni of the ICANN Fellowship Program only due to the changes brought about by the new ICANN Meeting Strategy; therefore those who have never successfully completed an ICANN Fellowship cannot apply for ICANN56 but are welcome to apply for ICANN57 this coming April.

ICANN57 (Meeting C) in San Juan, Puerto Rico to be held 29 October - 4 November 2016

  • Application Round opens: 22 April 2016 at 23:59 UTC
  • Application Round closes: 3 June 2016 at 23:59 UTC
  • Selected Fellows announcement: 29 July 2016

ICANN58 (Meeting A) in Copenhagen, Denmark to be held 11-16 March 2017

  • Application Round opens: 26 August 2016 at 23:59 UTC
  • Application Round closes: 7 October 2016 at 23:59 UTC
  • Selected Fellows announcement: 9 December 2016

ICANN59 (Meeting B / Policy Forum) in Johannesburg, South Africa to be held 26 - 29 June 2017

  • Application Round opens: 6 January 2017 at 23:59 UTC
  • Application Round closes: 10 February 2017 at 23:59 UTC
  • Selected Fellows announcement: 24 March 2017

*Mtg B Application Round will be a program for Alumni of the ICANN Fellowship Program only due to the changes brought about by the new ICANN Meeting Strategy; therefore those who have never successfully completed an ICANN Fellowship are not eligible to apply for this particular round.

Online Application

Previous Fellowship Participants

Click here for additional information on the Application Process or the Fellowship Program

Questions/Comments?

Email: [email protected]

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