Applications are now open for the DPI Governance in Africa Fellowship 2026, offering early-career researchers the opportunity to interrogate how digital systems are reshaping governance across the continent.
- Applications are now open for the DPI Governance in Africa Fellowship 2026, offering early-career researchers the opportunity to interrogate how...
- The DPI Governance in Africa Fellowship, led by FUNGAI Africa, targets professionals interested in digital policy, human rights, and inclusive...
- The DPI Governance in Africa Fellowship equips participants with rights-based frameworks to assess whether these systems improve access to services...
- The programme is structured into three phases.
Keep reading for the full breakdown on African research — everything you need to know is covered below.
The DPI Governance in Africa Fellowship, led by FUNGAI Africa, targets professionals interested in digital policy, human rights, and inclusive technology development in Africa.
Fellowship targets digital governance and inclusion
The DPI Governance in Africa Fellowship focuses on how Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) — including digital identity systems, public service platforms, and data infrastructures — is transforming governance.
The programme provides a structured research fellowship for early-career African researchers, addressing concerns about equity, inclusion, and accountability in digital systems.
As governments across Africa adopt digital tools, questions around governance and fairness are becoming more urgent.
The DPI Governance in Africa Fellowship equips participants with rights-based frameworks to assess whether these systems improve access to services or reinforce exclusion, particularly for marginalised communities.
The initiative also emphasises that digital systems are not neutral. Through research and analysis, fellows examine how policies and infrastructure shape citizen participation, service delivery, and democratic processes.
Three-month remote programme structure
The DPI Governance in Africa Fellowship runs from June to August 2026 and is delivered fully online. Only three fellows will be selected, each committing to 15–20 hours per week. Participants receive a $300 monthly stipend, totalling $900, alongside bi-weekly seminars and collaborative sessions.
The programme is structured into three phases. In the first month, fellows study DPI fundamentals, governance frameworks, and ethical research methods, producing research protocols and stakeholder maps.
The second phase focuses on field research, including interviews, policy analysis, and data collection across countries such as Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa, Zambia, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
In the final phase, fellows analyse findings and develop outputs, such as policy briefs, advocacy materials, and comparative studies. These stages ensure participants move from theory to real-world application.
Research outputs and application details
The DPI Governance in Africa Fellowship requires participants to deliver high-impact outputs, including a comprehensive research report, advocacy toolkit, country-specific policy briefs, and public communication materials. These outputs aim to influence policy discussions and strengthen digital governance frameworks across Africa.
The fellowship is open to researchers, policy analysts, and digital rights advocates interested in technology and social justice. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to inclusive research and community-centred approaches. The application deadline is April 5, 2026, with submissions accepted through the FUNGAI Africa platform.
The DPI Governance in Africa Fellowship helps new professionals influence how digital systems are managed and used in African communities by bringing together research, policy work, and advocacy.