ICANN88 Fellowship Program 2027 in Portugal (Fully Funded)
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The ICANN88 Fellowship Program 2027 is a fully funded opportunity to attend the ICANN Community Forum in Lisbon, Portugal from 13–18 March 2027. It covers round-trip airfare, hotel accommodation, and local transport for people from underserved and underrepresented communities working in Internet governance. The application deadline is August 21, 2026.
INTRODUCTION
Want to attend a major global Internet governance conference in Europe — completely free? The ICANN88 Fellowship Program 2027 gives you exactly that chance.
The fellowship is offered by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the nonprofit organization that helps coordinate the unique identifiers that keep the global Internet running. This round supports attendance at the ICANN88 Community Forum, taking place from 13–18 March 2027 in Lisbon, Portugal.
ICANN’s Fellowship Program is prestigious because it’s been running for years as one of the main ways ICANN builds a genuinely global, multistakeholder community — bringing in voices from underserved and underrepresented regions who might not otherwise have the resources to attend an international policy meeting in person.
Who can apply? The program is open to people from all regions and sectors, aged 21 and older, who are interested in or already working on topics like Internet policymaking, Domain Name System (DNS) operations, or the security and stability of the global Internet. You don’t need to be a technical expert — students, civil society advocates, government staff, and industry professionals have all been selected in past rounds.
If selected, you won’t just attend a conference. You’ll be assigned a mentor, complete structured training, and join a global network of ICANN Fellowship alumni that spans dozens of countries. Here’s everything you need to know to apply.
QUICK OVERVIEW TABLE
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Fellowship Name | ICANN Fellowship Program — ICANN88 Community Forum |
| Host Country | Portugal (Lisbon) |
| Host Organization | Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) |
| Program Level | Professional/Community Fellowship (not a degree program) |
| Funded By | ICANN |
| Scholarship Type | Fully Funded |
| Coverage | Round-trip airfare, hotel accommodation, local transport, training, mentorship |
| Eligible Countries | All regions and sectors |
| Application Deadline | 21 August 2026, 23:59 UTC |
| Study Mode | In-person in Lisbon (or virtual if the meeting moves online) |
| Duration | One-week meeting: 13–18 March 2027 |
| Minimum Age | 21 years |
| Application Fee | None |
About the ICANN88 Fellowship Program
The ICANN Fellowship Program exists to strengthen ICANN’s multistakeholder model by giving people from underserved and underrepresented communities a genuine seat at the table in global Internet governance discussions.
Fellows aren’t just flown in and left to figure things out. Each selected fellow is assigned a mentor, completes structured training before, during, and after the meeting, and takes part in the broader ICANN community across policy development, DNS operations, and Internet security and stability topics.
ICANN runs three fellowship rounds tied to its three annual Public Meetings: an Annual General Meeting, a Community Forum, and a Policy Forum. The ICANN88 round covers the Community Forum, held in the Europe region this cycle, in Lisbon, Portugal. Because this program has run for well over a decade, ICANN maintains detailed statistics and an alumni network that fellows can plug into long after the meeting ends.
Notably, one path back into the program is through recognition: returning fellows may be considered for the Tarek Kamel Fellowship Recognition, which honors outstanding contributions to capacity building in fellows’ home regions, and fellows from the African region with a technical background may be considered for the Paul Muchene Fellow Award.
FELLOWSHIP BENEFITS
Selected ICANN88 Fellows receive:
✔ Round-trip international airfare to Lisbon, Portugal
✔ Hotel accommodation for the duration of the meeting
✔ Local transportation support in Lisbon
✔ Structured training on Internet governance, DNS operations, cybersecurity, and ICANN policy processes
✔ A dedicated mentor to guide you through the ICANN community before, during, and after the meeting
✔ Access to ICANN’s global alumni network, useful for ongoing professional and policy engagement
There is no application fee for the program.
AVAILABLE PROGRAMS
This is a professional/community fellowship rather than an academic degree program. It supports participation in ICANN’s three yearly meeting types:
- Annual General Meeting (most recently ICANN87, held in Bali, Indonesia)
- Community Forum (ICANN88, in Lisbon, Portugal — the round covered in this article)
- Policy Forum (ICANN89, in Vancouver, Canada — open only to Fellowship Program alumni)
Applicants interested in Internet governance broadly — policymaking, DNS operations, cybersecurity, or Internet stability — can apply to the relevant open round.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To apply for the ICANN88 Fellowship, you must:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Be interested in, or already engaged in, ICANN’s work on policy development, DNS operations, or global Internet security and stability
- Complete the mandatory ICANN Learn course(s) required for applicants
- Not be currently involved in or associated with any other ICANN-supported travel program at the time of selection
- Have received no more than two previous ICANN fellowships — second- and third-time fellows must demonstrate ongoing involvement in an ICANN community
- Applicants specifically for a Policy Forum fellowship must have already completed an ICANN Fellowship (not applicable to this Community Forum round)
Candidates from all regions and all sectors are welcome — students, civil society representatives, technical experts, government officials, and industry professionals have all been selected in past rounds.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
To apply, you’ll need:
- An ICANN Account (required to access the application portal)
- A completed online fellowship application through ICANN’s application portal
- Proof of completion of any mandatory ICANN Learn course(s)
- Standard personal and professional details as requested in the application form (background, motivation, relevant experience/interest in ICANN’s work)
Check ICANN’s official Fellowship FAQ page for the full, current list of what the online form requires, since the exact fields can be updated between rounds.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Step 1: Create an ICANN Account. You need this account to access the Fellowship application portal.
Step 2: Complete any mandatory ICANN Learn course(s). These are required as part of the eligibility criteria before you apply.
Step 3: Review the eligibility and selection criteria. Confirm you meet the age requirement and haven’t exceeded the fellowship limit or have a conflicting travel program.
Step 4: Submit your application through the official portal. Applications for ICANN88 are submitted via ICANN’s dedicated fellowship application system before the deadline.
Step 5: Wait for the selection announcement. ICANN’s Fellowship Selection Committee reviews applications and announces successful candidates on the ICANN website.
Step 6: If selected, engage with mentoring and training. Fellows are matched with a mentor and complete additional ICANN Learn courses ahead of the meeting.
Step 7: Attend ICANN88 in Lisbon. Take part in Fellowship sessions, the wider Community Forum, and networking with the ICANN community.
Step 8: Complete post-meeting requirements. Fellows are expected to complete a post-meeting survey and stay engaged with the alumni network and policy processes.
IMPORTANT DATES
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Round Opens | 21 July 2026, 23:59 UTC |
| Application Deadline | 21 August 2026, 23:59 UTC |
| Selected Fellows Announced | 10 November 2026, 23:59 UTC |
| ICANN88 Community Forum | 13–18 March 2027, Lisbon, Portugal |
IMPORTANT LINKS
- ICANN Fellowship Program official page: icann.org/en/about/participate/fellowships
- Apply to the Fellowship Program: webportalapp.com/sp/home/icannp_fellowship_application
- ICANN88 Announcement: icann.org/en/announcements
- Fellowship FAQs: icann.org Fellowship FAQs page
- Fellowship Terms & Conditions: icann.org Terms & Conditions page
- Fellowship Selection Criteria: icann.org Selection Criteria page
SELECTION PROCESS
- Application submission — candidates apply online through the ICANN portal before the deadline
- Eligibility screening — age, prior fellowships, and conflicting program checks are applied
- Committee review — the Fellowship Selection Committee evaluates applications against published criteria
- Final selection — successful candidates are chosen and confirmed
- Announcement — results are published on ICANN’s official website on the stated announcement date
- Onboarding — selected fellows are paired with mentors and begin pre-meeting training
How to increase your chances fornICANN88 Fellowship Program
- Clearly explain your genuine interest or current involvement in Internet governance, DNS operations, or Internet security
- Complete any required ICANN Learn courses early, not at the last minute
- If you’ve applied before, be ready to show concrete engagement with an ICANN community since your last fellowship
- Apply well before the deadline to avoid technical issues with the portal
- Be specific in your application about what you hope to contribute, not just what you hope to gain
- Highlight relevant background from your region or sector, since the program specifically values underserved and underrepresented perspectives
COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID
- Missing the 21 August 2026, 23:59 UTC deadline
- Applying while already involved in another ICANN-supported travel program
- Skipping the mandatory ICANN Learn course(s) before applying
- Applying for a Policy Forum fellowship without having completed a prior ICANN Fellowship
- Submitting a vague application that doesn’t show real interest in ICANN’s specific areas of work
- Forgetting to set up an ICANN Account before starting the application
LIVING IN PORTUGAL (LISBON)
If your fellowship takes you to Lisbon in person, here’s a general sense of what to expect:
- Cost of living in Lisbon is moderate by Western European standards, though your core costs (hotel, flights, local transport) are already covered by the fellowship
- Accommodation for the meeting itself is arranged as part of your fellowship benefits
- Food in Lisbon ranges from affordable local cafés to more upscale restaurants, with a strong seafood and Mediterranean-influenced food culture
- Transport around Lisbon is well-served by trams, metro, and buses
- Weather in March is mild, typically cool and sometimes rainy — pack layers
- Safety in Lisbon is generally considered good by European capital standards, though normal city precautions apply
- Local culture blends historic neighborhoods with a modern, international tech and startup scene
VISA INFORMATION
If you’re selected and the meeting is held in person, you may need a visa to enter Portugal, depending on your nationality:
- Citizens of many countries can enter Portugal visa-free for short stays as part of the Schengen Area; others will need a Schengen short-stay visa
- Check requirements with the Portuguese embassy or consulate in your home country as early as possible
- ICANN typically provides fellows with an invitation letter or supporting documentation to assist with visa applications
- Processing times vary significantly by country, so start early once you’re confirmed as a selected fellow
- Always verify the latest Schengen visa rules directly with official government sources, since requirements can change
WHY ATTEND ICANN88 IN PORTUGAL
- Direct access to global Internet governance leaders — policymakers, technical experts, and civil society voices from around the world
- Structured mentorship not commonly offered at other international conferences
- Skill-building in DNS operations, cybersecurity, and Internet policy that’s directly relevant to careers in tech policy, telecom, and digital rights
- A genuinely global network — ICANN Fellowship alumni span dozens of countries and sectors
- A European meeting location, offering fellows from other regions a chance to engage directly with European Internet governance stakeholders
IMPORTANT FAQs
1. Is the ICANN88 Fellowship fully funded? Yes. It covers round-trip airfare, hotel accommodation, and local transportation, with no application fee.
2. Who can apply for this fellowship? Candidates from all regions and sectors, aged 21 or older, who are interested in or engaged in ICANN’s work.
3. Can students apply? Yes, as long as they meet the minimum age of 21 and other eligibility requirements — students have been selected in past rounds.
4. Can African students or professionals apply? Yes, the program is open to applicants from all regions, and fellows with a technical background from the African region may also be considered for the Paul Muchene Fellow Award.
5. Can Asian applicants apply? Yes, the fellowship is open globally, with no regional restriction on applicants (the meeting location simply rotates by region each cycle).
6. Can Pakistani applicants apply? Yes, Pakistani nationals meeting the general eligibility criteria can apply.
7. Can Indian applicants apply? Yes, Indian nationals meeting the general eligibility criteria can apply.
8. Can Americans or Europeans apply? Yes, the fellowship is open to candidates from all regions and sectors, not restricted to developing countries.
9. Is English proficiency required? The program doesn’t publish a fixed language test requirement, but strong English communication is important since meetings and materials are primarily in English.
10. Is there an application fee? No, there is no fee to apply for the ICANN Fellowship Program.
11. Can married applicants apply? Yes, marital status is not part of the eligibility criteria.
12. Can I bring my family? The fellowship benefits (flights, hotel, transport) are provided for the individual fellow, not dependents.
13. What GPA or academic background is required? There’s no GPA requirement — this is a professional/community fellowship, not an academic scholarship, so relevant interest or experience matters more than grades.
14. Can I work while participating? The fellowship is a one-week, meeting-based program rather than a long-term placement, so it doesn’t affect your regular employment status.
15. How many fellows are selected each round? The exact number varies by round; check the official list of past Fellowship Program participants for historical figures.
16. Can I apply if I’ve been an ICANN Fellow before? Yes, but you may not have received more than two previous fellowships, and repeat fellows must show continued engagement with an ICANN community.
17. Does age matter for eligibility? Yes. You must be at least 21 years old to apply.
18. What happens after I’m selected? You’re matched with a mentor, complete additional required training, and prepare to attend the ICANN88 Community Forum in Lisbon.
19. How competitive is this fellowship? It is competitive, given ICANN’s global applicant pool and the comprehensive benefits provided, though exact acceptance rates aren’t publicly detailed.
20. Can I apply with a pending degree or still studying? Yes, being a student doesn’t disqualify you as long as you meet the age and other eligibility requirements.
21. What expenses are not covered? Personal spending money, expenses for accompanying family members, and costs unrelated to the official meeting program are not covered.
22. Can I defer my fellowship to a later round? The program doesn’t describe a formal deferral process; each round has its own separate application and selection cycle.
23. Can I apply if I already have another sponsored trip to ICANN meetings? No — you must not be involved in or associated with another ICANN-supported travel program at the time of selection.
24. How will I know if I’ve been selected? ICANN announces successful candidates directly on its official website on the stated announcement date.
25. Is this a degree program? No, it’s a short, meeting-based fellowship (a one-week Community Forum), not an academic degree program.
26. Do I need prior ICANN experience? No, applicants can be either newcomers interested in Internet governance or people already engaged in ICANN’s work.
27. Is there a virtual option? Yes — if ICANN88 itself is moved online, the Fellowship Program will also run virtually, keeping the same key program elements.
28. Do I need an ICANN Account to apply? Yes, an ICANN Account is required to access and submit the fellowship application.
29. Are there mandatory training requirements before applying? Yes, applicants must complete mandatory ICANN Learn course(s) as part of the eligibility process.
30. Where can I get the most accurate, updated details? Always check ICANN’s official Fellowship Program page and FAQ page for the latest confirmed information before applying.
FINAL SUMMARY
The ICANN88 Fellowship Program 2027 offers a rare, fully funded chance to step directly into global Internet governance conversations in Lisbon, Portugal — complete with flights, hotel, mentorship, and structured training, all at no cost to you. If you’re 21 or older and genuinely interested in Internet policy, DNS operations, or online security, this fellowship is worth applying for.
Mark your calendar: the deadline is 21 August 2026 at 23:59 UTC. Complete your required ICANN Learn courses early, set up your ICANN Account now, and submit a thoughtful, specific application well ahead of time.