ICANN's Fellowship Program – Making a Difference
The Fellowship program seeks to create a broader base of knowledgeable constituents and build capacity within the ICANN community of volunteers by reaching out to the less developed regions of the world. Participation in the program is a "fast track" experience that encourages individuals to find their niche in the ICANN community and to become the new voice of experience in their region. Recipients of the program support are now members of the GAC, ccNSO, ALAC, NCSG, IPC and the Commercial and Business Users Constituency.
Want to learn more about our outreach and participation?
- View Fellowship Program stats here: https://charts.icann.org/public/index-gp-fellowship.html
What is an ICANN fellowship and who are the fellowships for?
The Fellowship Program provides a grant of support to individuals who are members of the Internet community and have not previously been able to participate in ICANN processes and constituent organizations. In some cases, continued limited support is provided to those who have previously participated but need the opportunity to implement an agenda pertinent to a particular meeting (and still meet program criteria). This is a means tested program. Applicants must be citizens of economically eligible countries. We use a combination of the World Bank classification of low, lower-middle, and upper-middle economies, along with two (2) UN groupings of developing and least developed nations: http://www.unohrlls.org/en/sids/44/, http://www.unohrlls.org/en/ldc/25/ which are based on distinctly different criteria which stretch beyond the World Bank's economically deterministic view. The fellowship covers the cost of economy class airfare and hotel, as well as providing a stipend after successful completion of the program, in order to assist in covering some basic expenses incurred by the fellow. Recipients are expected to actively contribute to ICANN processes and be a part of the next generation of ICANN leadership.
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.
Due to financial limitations 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 by the fellowships committee.
Who may apply for and be awarded a fellowship?
- The programme is targeted at individuals new to the ICANN environment from government, the ccTLD community, academic, civil and business constituents as well as non-profits, who are NOT involved in or associated with other ICANN supported travel programmes.
- To be eligible applicants must be citizens of a low, lower-middle, or upper-middle income economy according to the economic classifications listed above.
- Successful applicants will have demonstrated:
- 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.
- A leadership role in stimulating local interest in ICANN.
- An ICANN supporting organization or advisory committee.
Current Program Status:
The following individuals have been selected to participate in the ICANN 47 Public Meeting in Durban, South Africa this July 14-18 2013.
- Alejandro Jacobo Acosta Alamo – Venezuela – Academic and LACNIC member
- Farzaneh Badiei – Iran - Internet Governance Forum Secretariat
- Ulkar Bayramova – Azerbaijan – Academic and At Large
- Artak Barseghyan – Armenia – Government
- Andrew Rarumae – Solomon Islands – Business – member ccNSO
- Kadian Davis – Jamaica – Academic – member NCSG and NCUC
- Patricia Marie Thérèse Gnilane Senghor – Senegal - End User
- Adrian Quesada Rodriguez – Costa Rica – Academic
- Mwendwa Kivuva – Kenya – Civil Society and Business, Registrar
- Sourakatou Ramanou Biaou – Benin – Business, Academic and At Large
- Oleg Demidov – Russia – Not For Profit
- Etuate Cocker – Tonga - Academic
- Dejan Djukic – Serbia – Not For Profit
- Eddy Kayihura Mabano – Rwanda – Business
- João Caribé – Brazil – Not For Profit
- Mamadou LO – Senegal – End User and Afrinic member
- Heba Sayed – Egypt – Civil Society
- Maritza Yesenia Aguero Miñano – Peru – Government
- Karel Douglas – Trinidad and Tobago – Government
- Gul-e Rana – Pakistan – Academic
- Amir Qayyum – Pakistan – Academic
- Mohamed Awad Elshaikh – Sudan – Academic
- Paul Muchene – Kenya – Business
- Sarah Kiden – Uganda – Academic
- Tuhaise Robert – Uganda – Academic
- Asteway Shoarega Negash – Ethiopia – Academic
- Olevie Kouami – Togo – Not For Profit – NPOC
- Adela Elena Danciu – Romania – At Large
- Claudine Sugira – Rwanda – Not For Profit
- Mona Melhem El Achkar – Lebanon – Academic
Fellowship Alumni
- Beijing, People's Republic of China Meeting Fellowship Participants
- Toronto Meeting Fellowship Participants
- Prague Meeting Participants
- San Jose Costa Rica Meeting Participants
- Dakar Fellowship Meeting Participants
- Singapore Fellowship Meeting Participants
- Silicon Valley Fellowship Meeting Participants
- Cartagena Fellowship Meeting Participants
- Brussels Fellowship Meeting Participants
- Nairobi Fellowship Meeting Participants
- Seoul Fellowship Meeting Participants
- Sydney Fellowship Meeting Participants
- Mexico Meeting Fellowship Participants
- Cairo Meeting Fellowship Participants
- Paris Meeting Fellowship Participants
- New Delhi Meeting Fellowship Participants
- Los Angeles Meeting Fellowship Participants
- San Juan Meeting Fellowship Participants
Application Rounds:
The 47th ICANN meeting in Durban, South Africa to be held 14-18 July 2013
- Application Round opened: 11 January 2013 at 23:59 UTC
- Application Round closed: 22 February 2013 at 23:59 UTC
- Selected Fellows announced: 19 April 2013
The 48th ICANN meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina to be held 17-21 November 2013
- Application Round opens: 1 May 2013 at 23:59 UTC
- Application Round closes: 14 June 2013 at 23:59 UTC
- Selected Fellows announced: 2 August 2013
The 49th ICANN meeting in Singapore, Singapore to be held 23-27 March 2014
- Application Round opens: 20 September 2013 at 23:59 UTC
- Application Round closes: 1 November 2013 at 23:59 UTC
- Selected Fellows announced: 13 December 2013
The 50th ICANN meeting in London, England to be held 22-26 June 2014
- Application Round opens: 3 January 2014 at 23:59 UTC
- Application Round closes: 14 February 2014 at 23:59 UTC
- Selected Fellows announced: 28 March 2014
The 51st ICANN meeting TBD North America to be held 12-16 October 2014
- Application Round opens: 21 April 2014 at 23:59 UTC
- Application Round closes: 2 June 2014 at 23:59 UTC
- Selected Fellows announced: 14 July 2014
Documentation
Terms and Conditions
Fellowship Committee
Fellowships Committee
Questions/Comments?
Email: fellowships@icann.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send information separately to the fellowship office if I cannot provide it in time for the application?
The online application system is the only method that you can use to apply for an ICANN fellowship. All information requested in the application has to be embedded in that online form; NO INFORMATION WILL BE ACCEPTED OUTSIDE OF THE ONLINE FORM OR AFTER THE APPLICATION ROUND CLOSES.
Who reviews the applications and how are the fellowships chosen?
An independent selection committee reviews all eligible applications and ranks them according to the selection criteria found on the fellowship web page. Additional weight is given to eligible candidates who meet the minimum requirements of the program, and live in the region of the ICANN meeting that is being held for that fellowship round. The Fellowship Program has a budget to bring approximately 25 participants to each of the 3 ICANN meetings held each year; those candidates who are eligible and meet minimum requirements are selected to fit into this budget.
How will I know if I received a fellowship?
All successful candidates are announced on the ICANN website, approximately 12 weeks after the online application closes. That is the only communication that all applicants will see; successful candidates also receive a follow-up email and confirmation letter at the time of posting, which must be returned within a week of receipt declaring that they accept the fellowship. If a candidate does not accept the fellowship, an already established list of alternates will be used to fill the vacated position.
Do I need to re-apply for each fellowship round?
You must re-apply for each fellowship round. No exceptions.
How many times can I receive fellowship support?
ICANN staff and the selection committee have maintained a "3x" rule for receiving this grant of support. The underlying thought is that a first time attendee is new to the ICANN meeting and community, and will not fully grasp all of the opportunities or understand all of the issues that the community is working on. On a second fellowship, it is expected that you will be better prepared and be more knowledgeable about the process, providing an opportunity for further networking and the chance to find your "fit" in the ICANN community. A third grant would require more out of the individual, including mentoring others, presentations to create and share, as well as solidifying other means of support to future meetings, via participation and membership in one of the ICANN ACs or SOs.
How will my travel be covered?
Travel will be covered by ICANN directly.
How will my hotel be covered?
Hotels will be booked and covered by ICANN directly. All additional hotel charges beyond the room are the responsibility of the fellow.
How will the stipend work?
All fellows are eligible to receive a flat stipend not to exceed US $500.00. Stipends will be provided to fellows by wire transfer, following successful completion of the fellowship program at the ICANN meeting attended.
Do I need insurance?
Acquiring and paying for any and all insurance, including but not limited to travel insurance is the sole and exclusive responsibility of the fellow.
I would like to add personal or other business segments to my travel. What do I do?
Please refer to the ICANN Travel Support Guidelines.
What travel documents are needed?
- A valid passport.
- Travel documents as required by your country of origin.
- Visa may be required by country hosting the ICANN meeting. It is very IMPORTANT that you check with your local consulate agency.
- Transit visa may be required to connect in certain cities or countries. Please check with your local consulate agency.
- Always carry with you a proof of health insurance. This is NOT supplied by ICANN.
**All travel documents must be consistent with the name on your valid passport**
Overview
What is ICANN?
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is responsible for the global coordination of the Internet's system of unique identifiers. These include domain names (like .org or .museum, and country codes like .UK), as well as the addresses used in a variety of Internet protocols. Computers use these identifiers to reach each other over the Internet. Careful management of these resources is vital to the Internet's operation. ICANN's global stakeholders meet regularly to develop policies that ensure the Internet's ongoing security and stability.
The domain name system (DNS) and Internet Protocol (IP) addressing systems rely on global input and perspectives in order to ensure they continue to function in a stable and secure fashion. ICANN's fellowships program helps ensure that voices from all regions of the world have the opportunity to provide that input.