The Internet Society Peering Fellowship 2026 is a fully funded international fellowship for 20 peering and interconnection professionals based in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, or the Middle East, providing hands-on exposure to global internet infrastructure and connectivity at major peering events in Kigali, Rwanda; Mendoza, Argentina; and Osaka, Japan. The fellowship covers round-trip airfare, hotel accommodation, and a fixed stipend for the duration of each event. Applicants must have at least three years of relevant experience. The deadline is 17 May 2026.
Program Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opportunity Type | Fully Funded Professional Development Fellowship |
| Organising Body | Internet Society |
| Mode | Offline (In-person at regional peering events) |
| Duration | 4 to 7 Days per event |
| Locations | Kigali, Rwanda; Mendoza, Argentina; Osaka, Japan |
| Last Date to Apply | 17 May 2026 |
About the Program
The Internet Society Peering Fellowship 2026 is a specialised professional development program designed to equip 20 selected peering and interconnection professionals with the skills, knowledge, and industry connections needed to address global interconnection challenges and maximise opportunities for internet growth within their regions. Unlike conventional fellowships, the program is built around direct participation in major international peering events — providing fellows with real-world exposure to how Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) operate, how global networks connect, and how policymakers, engineers, and industry leaders collaborate to shape the future of internet infrastructure. Consequently, fellows gain both technical depth and policy literacy at the highest levels of global internet governance, networking alongside the professionals who manage and expand the internet’s physical and logical architecture. Furthermore, the program’s regional allocation structure — placing African fellows at AfPIF in Rwanda, LAC fellows at LACNIC/LACNOG in Argentina, and APAC fellows at Peering Asia in Japan — ensures that each participant engages with the specific interconnection ecosystem most relevant to their professional context and regional development priorities.
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualification
- No specific academic degree requirement is stated; professional experience in peering and interconnection is the primary criterion
- Must be interested in and working within technical and/or policy dimensions of global internet connectivity
- Fellows must be based or living in Africa, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), or the Middle East
Experience & Other Conditions
- Must have at least three years of professional experience in internet infrastructure, peering, interconnection, or related technical and policy fields
- Participants from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States are strongly encouraged to apply
- Must be committed to growing in both technical and policy spaces within the global internet ecosystem
Benefits & Funding
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Return Airfare | Round-trip air ticket to the designated regional peering event |
| Accommodation | Hotel accommodation for the full duration of the event |
| Stipend | Fixed stipend provided for additional needs during the event |
| Event Access | Full access to the major global peering event in the fellow’s region |
| Professional Network | Direct engagement with engineers, policymakers, and industry leaders at global peering events |
Topics / Themes Covered
- Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): Operations, governance, and regional deployment
- Global Internet Connectivity and Peering: How networks interconnect across borders
- Interconnection Challenges and Opportunities in Developing Regions
- Internet Infrastructure Policy and Regulatory Frameworks
- Technical and Policy Dimensions of Growing the Internet in the Global South
- Community Development at Peering Events and Industry Networking
Selection Process
- Online application submitted via the official Internet Society Peering Fellowship portal at internetsociety.org/fellowships/peering before 17 May 2026
- Evaluation based on professional experience, regional location, and demonstrated interest in internet infrastructure and peering
- Priority consideration for applicants from Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States
- 20 fellows selected globally across the four regional tracks — Africa, APAC, LAC, and Middle East
How to Apply
- Visit the official Internet Society Peering Fellowship 2026 application portal at
Click Here. - Complete the online application form with your personal, professional, and regional background details.
- Clearly articulate your experience in internet infrastructure, peering, or interconnection and your goals for the fellowship.
- Indicate your region of residence — Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, or the Middle East — to be assigned to the appropriate regional peering event.
- Submit your completed application before the 17 May 2026 deadline.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| All Applicants | No application fee stated |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | 17 May 2026 |
| AfPIF (Africa) — Kigali, Rwanda | 18–21 August 2026 |
| LACNIC/LACNOG (LAC) — Mendoza, Argentina | 19–22 October 2026 |
| Peering Asia (APAC) — Osaka, Japan | 2–6 November 2026 |
| Middle East Event | To be confirmed |
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Website | https://www.internetsociety.org |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Internet Society Peering Fellowship 2026?
Professionals with at least three years of experience in internet infrastructure, peering, or interconnection who are based in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, or the Middle East are eligible; notably, applicants from Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States are particularly encouraged to apply.
What does the Internet Society Peering Fellowship 2026 cover financially?
The fellowship provides a round-trip air ticket to the designated regional peering event, hotel accommodation for the full event duration, and a fixed stipend to cover additional personal needs throughout the event.
Which peering events will fellows attend?
African fellows participate in AfPIF in Kigali, Rwanda (18–21 August); LAC fellows attend LACNIC/LACNOG in Mendoza, Argentina (19–22 October); APAC fellows join Peering Asia in Osaka, Japan (2–6 November); and the Middle East event is to be confirmed.
How many fellows are selected for the Internet Society Peering Fellowship 2026?
Only 20 fellows are selected globally across all four regional tracks, making the program highly competitive and targeted toward the most experienced and motivated internet infrastructure professionals in developing regions.
Is the Internet Society Peering Fellowship 2026 open to theoretical or policy-focused researchers?
The fellowship is specifically designed for peering and interconnection professionals with practical experience; consequently, it is best suited to those working in both technical and policy dimensions of internet infrastructure rather than purely academic or theoretical researchers.