If you work on Internet networks, systems, or operations in the Asia Pacific region, the APRICOT 2027 Fellowship could be an opportunity. The fellowship is designed to help technical Internet professionals gain practical knowledge, connect with experienced operators, and participate in one of the region’s major Internet operations and technology gatherings.
APRICOT 2027 will take place in Hong Kong from 24 February to 4 March 2027. The fellowship application period runs from 28 September to 12 October 2026, with applications closing at 23:59 Hong Kong time. That gives applicants a relatively short window to prepare a clear and genuinely personal application.
What Is the APRICOT 2027 Fellowship?
APRICOT, the Asia Pacific Regional Internet Conference on Operational Technologies, has supported Internet professionals from the region through its fellowship programme since APRICOT 2000. The programme gives people from less privileged parts of the Asia Pacific region greater access to technical training, industry knowledge, and professional networking.
Today, the fellowship has a more focused purpose: helping newer generations of technical Internet leaders strengthen their skills and learn directly from international industry professionals. Selected Fellows can meet network engineers and operators from across the world while gaining exposure to APRICOT’s technical community and related activities.
Who Is the APRICOT 2027 Fellowship For?
The fellowship is aimed at residents of developing countries in Asia and the Pacific, according to the Australian Government’s definition referenced by APRICOT. Applicants must also be actively involved in Internet technical operations.
The official eligibility criteria identify three broad areas of technical work: network engineering and network design, network operations and Network Operations Centre (NOC) work, and Internet systems engineering and systems operations.
What Does APRICOT Look for in Applicants?
Meeting the basic eligibility requirements is only the starting point. The Fellowship Committee places particular weight on evidence of real, hands-on technical work. Applicants should explain what they actually do day to day rather than relying on a broad job title or generic description.
Applicants also need to demonstrate involvement in their local Internet community. APRICOT gives examples such as participation in a Network Operators Group (NOG), Internet Exchange Point (IXP), Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT), or similar technical community. Passive membership alone is not what the committee is looking for.
Financial need is another explicit criterion. Applicants need to demonstrate that financial hardship would otherwise make attending APRICOT difficult or impossible, and explain why attending independently or through employer sponsorship is not possible in their circumstances.
Important: Write Your Own Fellowship Application
This is especially important for APRICOT 2027 Fellowship applications. APRICOT explicitly states that applications must be written by the applicant in their own words and that applicants should not use AI tools, chatbots, or large language models to write or substantially draft the application.
This article can help you understand the programme and prepare your thoughts, but your actual fellowship application should be written personally and independently in accordance with APRICOT’s rules.
What Does the APRICOT 2027 Fellowship Cover?
The fellowship provides substantial support for selected participants. The award covers 100% of the registration fee for either the APRICOT 2027 MasterClass or the APRICOT 2027 Conference.
It also covers 100% of accommodation costs for five nights at the APRICOT Fellows Hotel. In addition, APRICOT provides 80% of approved return economy airfare to Hong Kong, up to a maximum of US$1,000. The airfare contribution is paid after the Fellow’s Event Report has been accepted.
What Will APRICOT Fellows Do?
The fellowship is not simply a travel grant. Fellows are expected to participate fully in the part of APRICOT they apply for, attend the required Fellow briefings, and take part in meetings and social events organised for Fellows.
The award covers either the APRICOT MasterClass from 24–26 February 2027 or the APRICOT Conference from 1–3 March 2027. Fellows also participate in the ‘Elevating Soft Skills of Network/Systems Engineers’ workshop on 27 February.
Fellows attending the MasterClass may stay on for Conference week at their own cost, although their Conference registration will be complimentary.
Why the Fellowship Matters for Internet Operations!
Internet infrastructure increasingly depends on professionals who can operate networks reliably, securely, and at scale. Training and peer exchange therefore have a direct connection to Internet resilience across the Asia Pacific region.
APRICOT sits within a wider Internet ecosystem that includes APNIC, regional NOGs, IXPs, ICANN, IANA, ISOC, the IETF, and Internet governance forums. These organizations have different responsibilities, but technical operators remain essential to turning Internet protocols, addressing systems, routing practices, security mechanisms, and operational knowledge into functioning infrastructure.
APRICOT 2027 Fellowship Key Dates
The fellowship opens on 28 September 2026 at 09:00 Hong Kong time and closes on 12 October 2026 at 23:59 Hong Kong time. Applications are reviewed from 13–25 October, followed by a clarification period from 26 October to 5 November. Successful applicants are invited from 6 November onward, with acceptance due by 20 November. Results are scheduled for publication on 23 November 2026. APRICOT 2027 runs from 24 February to 4 March 2027, and Fellow reports are due by 18 March.
How to Prepare Before You Apply?
Because APRICOT specifically wants personal, verifiable information, preparation should begin with your own experience. Think through the technical work you perform every day, the Internet community activities you have actually contributed to, and the skills you want to develop at APRICOT.
Be ready to describe your concrete technical responsibilities, your real contribution to a NOG, IXP, CERT, university, operator community, or similar group, the training relevant to your experience, and why employer sponsorship or self-funding is not possible.
What Happens After Selection?
Selected applicants will be invited to accept the Fellowship according to APRICOT’s schedule. Formal acceptance must include a copy of a confirmed and paid flight itinerary to Hong Kong. Fellows must also notify the Fellowship Committee if their role, employer, country of residence, citizenship, or industry changes between application and participation.
After APRICOT 2027, Fellows must submit a two-page, approximately 1,000-word report within two weeks of the event. The report describes their learning activities and experiences and is intended for publication on the APRICOT website. The airfare contribution is paid after the report has been accepted.
Quick Eligibility Checklist
- Resident of an eligible developing country in Asia or the Pacific
- Actively involved in Internet technical operations
- Work in network engineering/design, network operations/NOC, or Internet systems engineering/operations
- Able to demonstrate local Internet community involvement
- Able to demonstrate financial hardship that would otherwise prevent attendance
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the APRICOT 2027 Fellowship?
Residents of developing countries in Asia and the Pacific who are actively involved in Internet technical operations and meet the stated criteria can apply.
What is the APRICOT 2027 Fellowship deadline?
Applications close on 12 October 2026 at 23:59 Hong Kong time.
How much travel support is provided?
The fellowship covers 80% of approved return economy airfare to Hong Kong, up to US$1,000.
Can I use AI to write my application?
No. APRICOT explicitly requires applicants to write their applications in their own words and prohibits AI tools from writing or substantially drafting them.
What must Fellows do after APRICOT?
Fellows must submit a publication-standard report of about 1,000 words within two weeks of the event.
Final Takeaway
The APRICOT 2027 Fellowship is designed for technical Internet professionals who want to strengthen their skills, expand their professional network, and bring new operational knowledge back to their communities. It combines technical learning with real-world networking and exposure to experienced Internet operators.
The support package can significantly reduce the cost of participation, but the programme also comes with clear responsibilities. Fellows are expected to participate fully, follow APRICOT’s rules, and share what they learn through the required post-event report.
If you are an Internet network engineer, NOC professional, systems operator, or technical Internet practitioner in an eligible Asia Pacific developing country, check the official APRICOT 2027 Fellowship requirements today. Gather your own facts and experiences, prepare your application personally, and submit it before 12 October 2026 at 23:59 Hong Kong time. This could be a valuable step toward becoming a stronger technical leader in the region’s Internet community.
Official Resources
https://2027.apricot.net/fellowship/termsconditionsapply
https://2027.apricot.net/fellowship/fellowshipawardpackage
https://2027.apricot.net/fellowship/eligibilityselectioncriteria
https://2027.apricot.net/fellowship/keydates
Dipankar Barua is an internet governance advocate from Dhaka, Bangladesh, who believes that voices from the Global South must be heard in the rooms where the internet’s future is decided. As an ICANN advocate and VSIG member, he actively engages in multistakeholder policy processes spanning DNS security, digital inclusion, and responsible AI governance. With an academic grounding in Computer Science and AI, and over 15 years of applied IT experience, Dipankar bridges the gap between technical communities and policy spaces — writing, participating, and advocating for a more open, equitable, and inclusive internet for all.
