The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has opened the application round for the ICANN88 Fellowship Program. Announced on 21 July 2026, this ICANN88 Fellowship application window gives people from around the world a chance to join ICANN88, the Community Forum taking place in Lisbon, Portugal, from 13 to 18 March 2027.
For anyone following Internet governance, DNS policy, DNS operations, or the security and stability of the global Internet, this is a meaningful moment. The ICANN Fellowship Program has long served as one of the clearest entry points into ICANN’s multistakeholder model, connecting newcomers with mentors, training, and a global community working on how the Internet’s naming and addressing systems are coordinated. With the ICANN88 Fellowship application deadline now set, eligible candidates have a defined window to prepare and submit their applications.
Quick Answer: Details About the ICANN88 Fellowship
- Meeting: ICANN88 Community Forum
- Location: Lisbon, Portugal
- Dates: 13–18 March 2027
- Application deadline: 21 August 2026, 23:59 UTC
- Selected Fellows announced: 10 November 2026
What Is the ICANN Fellowship Program?
The ICANN Fellowship Program is a long-running initiative designed to strengthen representation within ICANN’s multistakeholder model. According to ICANN, the program’s goal is to foster opportunities for individuals from underserved and underrepresented communities to become active, engaged participants in the ICANN community.
The ICANN Fellowship Program is open to applicants who are interested in, or already engaged in, areas such as policy development, Domain Name System (DNS) operations, and the security and stability of the global Internet. Selected Fellows typically gain:
- Direct exposure to how the ICANN community works
- Learning opportunities covering ICANN policy and DNS-related topics
- Exposure to Internet security and stability discussions
- A dedicated mentor for guidance throughout the experience
- Structured training before, during, and after the meeting
- Networking with ICANN community members and Fellowship alumni
- Participation in ICANN Public Meeting activities and Fellowship sessions
- Travel assistance to attend the meeting
It’s worth being clear-eyed about what the program is: an opportunity to learn, connect, and participate — not a guaranteed career path or a promise of ongoing ICANN involvement. What Fellows make of the experience afterward is largely up to them.
Important Dates: ICANN88 Fellowship Application Round Now Open
Here are the key dates for this ICANN88 Fellowship application round, as published by ICANN:
| Event | Date |
| Application opens | 21 July 2026 |
| Application deadline | 21 August 2026 at 23:59 UTC |
| Selected Fellows announced | 10 November 2026 |
| ICANN88 Community Forum | 13–18 March 2027 |
| Location | Lisbon, Portugal |
If ICANN88 is ultimately held virtually, the Fellowship Program for that meeting will also be conducted virtually.
Who Can Apply ICANN88 Fellowship ?
ICANN Fellowship eligibility criteria are set by ICANN and apply to every application round, including ICANN88. Candidates from all regions and sectors are welcome to apply. According to the official eligibility requirements, applicants must:
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Be interested in, or already engaged in, ICANN-related work — including policy building, DNS operations, or the security and stability of the global Internet
- Complete the mandatory ICANN Learn course(s) required for the application
- Not be involved in, or associated with, another ICANN-supported travel program at the time of selection
A few additional rules apply depending on your history with the program:
- Applicants to the ICANN Policy Forum fellowship round must have successfully completed a previous ICANN Fellowship
- Individuals who have already received two Fellowships may apply again, but second- and third-time Fellows must demonstrate ongoing involvement and engagement in an ICANN community
Because eligibility details and selection criteria can be nuanced, applicants should carefully review ICANN’s official Terms & Conditions and Selection Criteria before applying.
What Does an ICANN Fellow Do?
Once selected, Fellows take on a set of defined responsibilities as part of the program. According to ICANN, Fellowship recipients are expected to:
- Participate in the Fellowship Program Mentoring process
- Complete additional required ICANN Learn courses
- Attend the ICANN Public Meeting and required activities, including Fellowship sessions held during the meeting
- Network and interact with program alumni and other community members
- Complete the post-meeting survey
ICANN also encourages Fellows to stay engaged after the meeting ends — contributing to ICANN policy development processes and remaining active within the Fellowship alumni network.
What Does the Fellowship Offer?
The ICANN Fellowship Program pairs each Fellow with a mentor and provides structured training across different areas of knowledge and skill-building, delivered before, during, and after the ICANN Public Meeting. Fellows also receive travel assistance to attend the meeting in person, along with opportunities to build lasting connections across ICANN’s global community. The exact scope of support can vary by round, so applicants should treat the program as a genuine learning and networking opportunity rather than a fixed set of guaranteed benefits.
How to Apply for the ICANN88 Fellowship?
Applying follows a fairly straightforward process, though it does require some preparation. Here’s how it works:
- Review the eligibility requirements and Selection Criteria to confirm you qualify.
- Create or log in to an ICANN Account — this is required to submit an application.
- Read the official application instructions, FAQs, Terms & Conditions, and Selection Criteria in full.
- Prepare clear, specific information about your background, your interest in ICANN’s work, relevant experience, what you hope to learn, and how you might contribute to the community.
- Submit your completed application before 21 August 2026 at 23:59 UTC.
You can access the application portal directly through ICANN’s Fellowship Program page.
How to Prepare a Strong Application?
There’s no formula that guarantees selection, but a thoughtful application tends to stand out. Consider the following as you prepare:
- Clearly explain your connection to ICANN-related topics, such as policy, DNS operations, or Internet security and stability
- Show genuine interest in ICANN’s work rather than focusing mainly on travel or attending the event
- Use concrete examples from your work, studies, research, volunteering, or community engagement
- Be specific about what you want to learn from the experience
- Explain, realistically, how you could contribute to the ICANN community
- Keep your answers specific, authentic, and easy to follow
- Follow ICANN’s official Selection Criteria closely when structuring your responses
No single strategy or approach can guarantee selection — ICANN’s Selection Committee weighs many factors across a competitive applicant pool.
Why ICANN88 Fellowship Matters!
ICANN Public Meetings, including the ICANN88 Community Forum, bring together ICANN’s supporting organizations, advisory committees, and broader community to discuss policy development, DNS operations, and the technical coordination that keeps the Internet’s naming and addressing systems running smoothly. These meetings are where much of ICANN’s multistakeholder model plays out in practice — governments, businesses, technical experts, civil society, and individual participants all engaged in shared discussions. For newcomers, an ICANN Public Meeting is often the fastest way to understand how this model actually works, and the Fellowship Program is designed specifically to make that entry point more accessible.
What If ICANN88 Is Held Virtually?
ICANN has stated that if ICANN88 is held virtually, the Fellowship Program for that round will also be held virtually. According to ICANN, virtual participation is designed to incorporate the key elements of the Fellowship Program. Beyond this official statement, ICANN has not published further details, so applicants should watch the official Fellowship Program page for any updates.
Common Application Mistakes
Avoid these common pitfalls when preparing your ICANN88 Fellowship application:
- Waiting until the last moment before the deadline to start
- Giving vague or generic answers instead of specific examples
- Focusing mainly on travel rather than genuine ICANN interests
- Failing to clearly explain your connection to ICANN-related topics
- Ignoring eligibility rules before applying
- Not completing the required ICANN Learn courses
- Skipping a careful read of the Terms & Conditions
- Submitting an application without proofreading it
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ICANN88 Fellowship application open?
Yes. The application round opened on 21 July 2026 and remains open until the deadline.
What is the ICANN88 Fellowship deadline?
Applications must be submitted by 21 August 2026 at 23:59 UTC.
When and where will ICANN88 take place?
ICANN88, the Community Forum, will be held from 13 to 18 March 2027 in Lisbon, Portugal.
Who is eligible?
Candidates from all regions and sectors may apply, provided they meet ICANN’s eligibility requirements, including being at least 21 years old and having an interest in ICANN-related work.
Do I need an ICANN Account?
Yes. An ICANN Account is required to submit a Fellowship application.
What does the Fellowship provide?
Selected Fellows receive mentoring, training, networking opportunities, participation in the ICANN Public Meeting, and travel assistance to attend.
When will Fellows be announced?
Successful candidates will be announced on 10 November 2026.
Can first-time ICANN participants apply?
Yes. The program is open to newcomers as well as those with prior ICANN experience, subject to the standard eligibility rules.
What happens if ICANN88 is virtual?
If the meeting is held virtually, the Fellowship Program will also be held virtually, incorporating the key elements of the standard program.
Where can I apply?
Applications are submitted through the official ICANN Fellowship Program page.
Ready to Apply? Here’s What to Do Next!
If you’re interested in Internet governance, DNS policy, DNS operations, or the security and stability of the global Internet, the ICANN88 Fellowship is worth a close look. Take time to review the official eligibility requirements and Selection Criteria, prepare a thoughtful and specific application, and submit it well ahead of the 21 August 2026, 23:59 UTC deadline. Whether this is your first ICANN Fellowship application or you’re a returning community member, careful preparation now gives your application the best chance of being reviewed on its merits.
Official ICANN Resources
- ICANN Fellowship Program
- ICANN88 Fellowship Application Round Now Open (Official Announcement)
- Apply to the Fellowship Program
- Terms & Conditions
- Selection Criteria
- Frequently Asked Questions
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.
