Call for Applications: for IGF 2026 Fellowship Programme, Application Deadline- 31 March 2026
The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is a permanent forum of the United Nations initially convened by the United Nations Secretary-General in 2006. Institutionally, it is placed under the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The IGF Secretariat supports the implementation of the IGF process, while the development of the annual IGF meeting’s agenda is guided by the IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG).
The Fellowship Programme is part of the IGF’s mandated objective to develop capacity in Internet governance in developing countries. Fellows are selected through an open-to-all stakeholders application process, implemented in collaboration with the relevant regional IGFs, in accordance with the criteria outlined further below.
The UN Fellow will work with the IGF Secretariat, which covers a wide range of activities, such as the clearance process of the renewal of the IGF MAG, implementing the programme for the IGF annual meeting and the intersessional work including capacity development, liaising with the donor’s network to the IGF, closely working with the governmental entities that host the annual IGF meeting, and providing substantive Internet governance-related information to the UN DESA and Executive Office of the United Nations Secretary-General.
There are up to two (2) programme cycles within the year which last six (6) months each. It may start within the specified six (6) months of the year or from January to June and/or from July to December of the year. The selection of candidates, as per the requirements outlined further below, is done in consultations with the relevant national and regional IGF coordinators and guidelines provided by the IGF Secretariat’s Head of Office. The selection of regions eligible to the IGF Fellowship programme is done by rotation of regions. A relevant regional and sub-regional IGF initiatives will be consulted throughout the process to facilitate outreach.
| Interested candidates from all stakeholder and regional groups are invited to apply for a fellowship by sending their CV, a motivation letter and this nomination form to vacancies [at] intgovforum [dot] org by 31 March 2026. |
Duties, responsibilities and output expectations
Under the guidance and supervision of the IGF Secretariat’s Head of Office, the fellow will perform the following functions:
- Provide substantive and organizational support to the implementation of project objectives, as assigned by the Head of IGF Secretariat, including liaison and dialogue with IGF networks membership and other stakeholders, drafting programme papers and reports; due date, continuous.
- Do research work and focus specifically on development issues related to Internet governance, in particular, those affecting developing countries, least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and transitional economies; due date, continuous.
- In preparation for the IGF 2026, contribute to the substantive elements of the agenda of the IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG); due date, continuous.
- Provide support to the preparatory process for organizing the 21st annual IGF meeting, to be hosted in the last quarter of 2026; due date, continuous.
- Perform other substantive tasks as assigned by the supervisor.
The above will imply interaction with the staff working within the unit/section, staff of international organizations working on related issues, academics and representatives of civil society groups, NGOs, technical community and the business sector.
In performing these duties, fellows must comply with the requirements (guidelines) outlined in the Letter of Acceptance and dedicate their full time to the fellowship programme. They must not engage in political, commercial or any other activities other than those governed by the programme. They must not accept another fellowship programme, work, and non-IGF Secretariat meeting participation while under the IGF Fellowship programme. The fellows have no vacation leave except sick leave supported by a medical certificate.
Duration
The proposed duration of the fellowship programme is six (6) months between May and November 2026.
For more details, refer here
