ICANN89 Policy Forum Fellowship 2027

Areas of Focus

The fellowship is relevant to applicants working or researching in areas such as:

1. Internet governance

2. Internet policy and policy development

3. Domain Name System (DNS) policy and operations

4. Internet infrastructure

5. Cybersecurity and Internet security

6. Stability and resilience of the global Internet

7. Digital policy and regulation

8. Telecommunications

9. Multistakeholder Internet governance

10. Digital development and Internet access

11. Technology policy

12. Civil society participation in Internet governance

Benefits

Selected fellows receive support and structured opportunities to participate in the ICANN Public Meeting and fellowship programme.

Benefits and opportunities include:

1. Participation in the ICANN89 Policy Forum in Vancouver, Canada.

2. Travel assistance to attend the ICANN Public Meeting. ICANN states that travel arrangements for fellowship participants, including airfare and accommodation, are handled directly by ICANN under its programme arrangements.

3. Mentoring through the ICANN Fellowship Program.

4. Access to ICANN Learn courses and capacity-development activities.

5. Opportunities to interact with ICANN community members and programme alumni.

6. Exposure to policymakers, technical experts, businesses, academics, civil society representatives and other stakeholders involved in Internet governance.

7. Opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of ICANN's multistakeholder policy-development processes.

8. Opportunities to participate in discussions concerning Internet policy, DNS operations and the security and stability of the Internet.

9. Continued professional and community engagement for previous ICANN Fellowship participants.

10. Participation in an international network of ICANN fellows and Internet governance stakeholders.

Who Is This Fellowship For?

This opportunity is particularly relevant to:

• Previous ICANN Fellowship alumni
• Internet governance practitioners
• Technology policy professionals
• Digital policy researchers
• Cybersecurity and Internet security professionals
• Telecommunications and regulatory professionals
• Researchers studying Internet governance
• Civil society representatives involved in technology policy
• Professionals working on digital development and Internet access
• Researchers and practitioners interested in the Domain Name System
• Previous ICANN fellows seeking deeper participation in the ICANN community

Programme Requirements

Selected fellows are expected to:

1. Engage in the ICANN Fellowship mentoring process.

2. Complete additional required ICANN Learn courses.

3. Attend the ICANN Public Meeting and required fellowship sessions and activities.

4. Network and interact with ICANN alumni and members of the wider ICANN community.

5. Participate actively in the fellowship programme.

6. Complete the required post-meeting survey.

7. Continue contributing to the ICANN community and Internet policy processes where appropriate.

Application Process

1. Confirm that you have previously and successfully completed an ICANN Fellowship.

2. Check that you satisfy the age, previous-fellowship and other eligibility requirements.

3. Ensure that you have an active ICANN Account, which is required to apply.

4. Review the required ICANN Learn courses and complete any outstanding requirements applicable to you.

5. Prepare information about your Internet governance experience, ICANN engagement and areas of interest.

6. Review the official fellowship application questions carefully.

7. Complete the online application when the ICANN89 application round opens.

8. Provide accurate information about your previous ICANN Fellowship participation and continued engagement with the ICANN community.

9. Review your application carefully before submission.

10. Submit the completed application through the official ICANN Fellowship system before the deadline.

11. Monitor ICANN communications for the selection outcome.

Selection and Continued Engagement

ICANN's published selection criteria place emphasis on factors including diversity, knowledge of and engagement with ICANN, and potential for future engagement. For returning fellows, the selection criteria place particular emphasis on demonstrated involvement in ICANN communities and contributions to ICANN-related activities.

For Policy Forum applicants, previous fellowship participation alone does not remove the importance of continued engagement. Applicants should therefore be prepared to demonstrate how they have remained involved in ICANN or related Internet governance activities.

Important Dates

Application Opens: 5 November 2026 at 23:59 UTC

Application Deadline: 5 December 2026 at 23:59 UTC

Selected Fellows Announced: 14 February 2027

ICANN89 Policy Forum: 14–17 June 2027

Location: Vancouver, Canada

Important Information

• The ICANN89 Policy Forum Fellowship is not a first-time fellowship route. Only people who have successfully completed an ICANN Fellowship previously can apply.
• Applicants must be at least 21 years old at the time of application.
• Applicants may receive the ICANN Fellowship up to three times in total, subject to the programme's rules.
• Returning fellows are expected to demonstrate continued engagement with an ICANN community.
• Applicants must complete the required ICANN Learn courses.
• Applicants must have an ICANN Account to submit an application.
• Applicants cannot be involved in another ICANN-supported travel programme at the time of selection.
• Fellows are expected to attend the ICANN Public Meeting and participate in required fellowship activities.
• The ICANN89 meeting is scheduled as an in-person and virtual event in Vancouver.
• Applicants should review the official ICANN Fellowship page and programme requirements when the application window opens because detailed instructions and requirements may be updated.

Application Deadline: 5 December 2026 at 23:59 UTC