Information Controls Fellowship Program: Now Accepting Applications!

OTF is accepting applications for our eleventh cohort of Information Controls Fellows. Apply by February 19, 2024.
Mon, 2024-01-08 14:57

The Information Controls Fellowship Program (ICFP) supports individuals tracking internet interference practices and investigating emerging means of overcoming censorship in repressive environments. Applications due by February 19, 2024.

Visit the fellowship page for more information and to access the online application.

About the Program

The ICFP supports individuals examining restrictions on the free flow of information by repressive governments. Fellows track internet interference practices and investigate emerging means of overcoming censorship in repressive environments—the countries, regions, or areas worldwide where internet freedom is most threatened. 

We encourage applications from experienced researchers from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, including students and junior to mid-career practitioners, with demonstrated ability and expertise.

Duration & Stipend

Fellows work full-time with a supportive host organization of their choosing for three, six, nine, or twelve months—giving candidates the flexibility to pursue relatively short-term projects to those that are larger in scope. 

The program provides a monthly stipend of $7,000 USD, plus travel and equipment stipends.

Start Date

Fellows have the flexibility to choose the start date that works best for them, as long as it’s within one year of the application deadline (February 19, 2024). The earliest estimated start date for the 2024 application window is July 2024. This gives us time to carefully review each application and provide thoughtful feedback.

Supported Topical Areas of Study

Past fellows have explored a range of topics and technological focuses, including country and region-specific information controls studies; the development of research-focused software tools to investigate internet censorship as well as those that can circumvent online censorship; studies around targeted digital attacks aimed at at-risk users; and research into security vulnerabilities in technologies used by at-risk communities.

To get a better sense of the types of efforts supported through the ICFP, you can read about the current (ninth) cohort of fellows, as well as past classes (rounds one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, and eight). 

Host Organizations

Fellows are based with a host organization full-time for the duration of their fellowship. The host organization should demonstrate the ability to assist the applicant in carrying out the proposed scope of work.

Applicants may propose the host organization they’d like to work with in their application, as long as sufficient justification for the selection is provided. For example, if you’re proposing to study new censorship techniques and potential mechanisms to circumvent those, then your proposed host organization should be equipped to provide expert guidance on this topic. 

Please avoid working with a host organization that you’re already affiliated with. Hosts don’t have to be academic institutions and may be based outside of the United States. If you’re unsure of the host organization you’d like to work with, we can help you choose one.

If you’re affiliated with an organization and want to host an ICFP fellow at your organization, please email [email protected] for more information.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please post them in this public spreadsheet and we’ll answer them quickly. If your question is not appropriate for a public forum, please email [email protected].