Community Fellowship > Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fellows will be selected?
50 total fellows will be selected for the 2026 cohort of the community fellowship.
I would like to apply but my region is not listed!
Each year, we focus on two regions, with one global Fellowship cohort and two in‑person regional workshops, aligned with our Think Global, Act Local approach.
In 2025, we piloted in Asia-Pacific & Latin America and the Caribbean
In 2026, we are focusing on Africa & Europe
90% of applicants will be drawn from these 2 regions and the remaining may be selected from other regions
How are fellows selected?
Fellows are chosen through a 2-step review process that is open, fair, and transparent. Key demographic information, such as name and gender, and other similar characteristics are not shared with reviewers. The selection is based on published criteria, such as motivation, interest in advocacy, community involvement, potential impact, and alignment with the Fellowship’s goals, while also ensuring a balance between global and regional representation and strong chapter representation.
Are the in‑person regional Chapter Workshops being discontinued?
No. The in‑person regional Chapter Workshops are not being discontinued. They have been intentionally integrated into the Community Advocacy Fellowship as a core, in‑person component to ensure they remain impactful and aligned with our long‑term community and advocacy goals.
Is this a new version of the in-person chapter workshop?
The Fellowship is a 6+ month advocacy capacity‑building journey, with in‑person regional workshops as a component, not a replacement. This model keeps what worked (face‑to‑face engagement, regional relevance, chapter‑to‑chapter exchange) and adds sustained learning, mentoring, and practical advocacy experience. Fellows who complete the program join the Internet Society Alumni Network, helping build a global pool of skilled Internet advocates.
Who is eligible to submit an application for the fellowship?
– Be an active member of a chapter, special interest group, standing group, or an Internet Society organization member (i.e., organizations that join the Internet Society to have a seat at the table in developing an open, secure, and globally accessible Internet. Because they know that the future of their organization depends on the future of the Internet.)
– Basic comprehension and communication in English.
– Able to travel to assigned workshop locations, i.e., applicants based in Africa will travel to Kigali, Rwanda, and applicants based in Europe will travel to Brussels, Belgium.
– Have access to the Internet.
– Be able to dedicate approximately 4-6 hours per week throughout the program.
– Attend all required sessions. (happening between 9-14h UTC)
– Complete all mandatory deliverables during the program and be available on travel dates
– Led or participated in at least one chapter, special interest group, standing group, or an Internet Society organization member activity.
– Have not previously been selected as a Community Fellow (2025 to date)
– Have not been accepted as a fellow in any Internet Society fellowship from 2024 to date
– Advocacy interest falls under the following tracks
Championing Community-Centered Connectivity (CCC)
Defending the Open Internet Architecture
Promoting Trust & Strong Encryption
Internet Governance
Open – Make a case for an Internet-related advocacy interest relevant to your region/country
Can applicants use generative AI tools when preparing their applications?
While the use of generative AI tools to support the preparation of fellowship applications is not prohibited, these tools should serve only as supportive resources, e.g., language translation, grammar correction, accessibility needs, etc.
Applicants are expected to use their own words and ideas to build an application that accurately represents their experience, expertise, and project vision. It is the responsibility of applicants to ensure that all information in their applications is accurate, truthful, and relevant to the proposed fellowship program for which they are applying.
When using public AI tools, avoid entering confidential information or personally identifiable information, and ensure that your use of these tools aligns with all applicable data protection laws, regulations, and policies.
If you have questions about these guidelines, please contact [email protected].
Can I attend both Community workshops?
No. Each attendee will attend the workshop held in their region of residence.
What does the fellowship include?
– A round-trip air ticket to one Internet Society-assigned community workshop
– Hotel accommodation for the duration of the community workshop.
– A fixed stipend for additional needs
What does the travel support NOT cover?
– Any visa-related costs
– Additional accommodation past the assigned community workshop days
– Travel support to a community workshop that the fellow has NOT been assigned to attend
How long does the Community Fellowship last?
The Community Fellowship lasts for six months, from June to November.
Fellows are responsible for obtaining all the necessary relevant permissions from their employers or educational institutions to participate in the Fellowship.
Is there a fee to participate?
No. The Internet Society covers all costs, including academic coursework, online sessions, and other program elements. You’ll just need to supply your own materials and technology devices.
Is there a certificate or similar upon program completion?
Yes. Upon successful completion of the program, all fellows will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Internet Society and partners.
How can I receive updates on this and other Fellowship programs at the Internet Society?
We keep all program information up-to-date and will update it on an ongoing basis. We also encourage you to follow us.
I cannot commit to the current cohort timeline. Will there be other Fellowship programs?
Yes. The Community Fellowship will run once a year.
How are candidates evaluated?
Fellows are chosen by the Internet Society Fellowship Selection Committee, composed of members and leaders from the Internet Society Community, the program team, and subject matter experts.
Each candidacy will be evaluated through a blind, two-step process. This means that reviewers will not have access to applicant demographic information ie name, gender etc shared in the application. After the review process, we will get in touch with every candidate to let them know if they have, or have not, been selected as a fellow.
Does the Internet Society cover visa-related charges?
No. The Internet Society does not offer financial support for visa-related travel costs to the assigned community workshop.
Who is an organization member?
Organizations that join the Internet Society to have a seat at the table in developing an open, secure, and globally accessible Internet. Because they know that the future of their organization depends on the future of the Internet. Organization members include companies, non-profits, academic institutions, and governmental organizations committed to supporting the Internet. See a full list of organization members. To learn about the different organization membership levels, dues, and the benefits they offer, fill out the form or reach out to [email protected].