The applications are now open for the Internet Society Peering Fellowship 2026, a fully funded international fellowship designed for professionals working in Internet infrastructure, peering, routing, IXPs, and Internet policy. This prestigious six-month fellowship offers participants an opportunity to learn directly from global experts, attend international peering events, and contribute toward building a more affordable, resilient, and reliable Internet ecosystem worldwide.
The fellowship is aimed at individuals from developing and emerging regions who are actively involved in Internet connectivity, networking operations, Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), policy advocacy, or related technical fields. Participants will gain advanced knowledge about peering ecosystems, routing, interconnection strategies, and Internet resilience while networking with leading industry professionals from around the globe.
If you are passionate about how the Internet works behind the scenes and want to become a leader in the global connectivity ecosystem, this fellowship is one of the best fully funded opportunities available in 2026.
What is the Internet Society Peering Fellowship?
The Peering Fellowship is a six-month technical and advocacy-focused program organized by the Internet Society. The program aims to empower professionals who are working to improve Internet access and local interconnection infrastructure in their regions.
The fellowship combines:
- Online learning sessions
- Technical training
- Advocacy workshops
- Collaboration forums
- Industry networking
- Participation in an in-person peering event
Selected fellows will receive mentorship from experienced professionals and will work on projects related to Internet interconnection, peering ecosystems, and policy development.
Why You Should Apply
This fellowship is more than just a learning experience. It provides real exposure to the global Internet infrastructure community and helps fellows build valuable international connections.
Benefits of the fellowship include:
- Fully funded participation
- International networking opportunities
- Access to Internet industry leaders
- Advanced technical and policy training
- Exposure to global peering events
- Opportunity to contribute to Internet resilience in your country
- Certificate of completion after successful participation
- Membership in a global network of Internet leaders and alumni
The program is particularly valuable for professionals working in ISPs, telecom companies, IXPs, networking organizations, research institutions, and Internet governance communities.
Fellowship Coverage
The Internet Society will provide financial support for selected fellows attending one regional peering event. The fellowship coverage includes:
- Round-trip airfare
- Hotel accommodation
- Fixed stipend for additional expenses
- Access to all training sessions and workshops
- Participation in networking and technical events
However, applicants should note that visa expenses are not covered by the fellowship program.
Fellowship Duration
The Peering Fellowship 2026 will run for six months, from July to December 2026. During this period, fellows will participate in virtual sessions and attend one regional in-person peering event.
Fellowship Curriculum
The program curriculum is designed to provide deep understanding of Internet infrastructure and interconnection systems.
Major learning modules include:
Peering Ecosystem
Participants will learn about:
- Internet interconnection
- Peering best practices
- Role of IXPs
- Internet resilience
- Stakeholder collaboration
Internet Exchange Points (IXPs)
This module focuses on:
- Building and operating IXPs
- Governance models
- Technical operations
- Scaling Internet exchanges
- Business strategies for IXPs
Routing and BGP
Fellows will gain understanding of:
- Routing fundamentals
- Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)
- Routing security
- Peering operations
- Internet traffic exchange
Peering Advocacy
This section helps fellows understand:
- Internet policy development
- Advocacy strategies
- Regulatory environments
- Multistakeholder Internet governance
Internet Measurement and Data
Participants will also explore Internet measurement tools and learn how to analyze Internet resilience and connectivity data using the Internet Society Pulse platform.
Regional Peering Events for 2026
Selected fellows will attend one peering event in their region.
Planned events include:
- AfPIF 2026 — Kigali, Rwanda
- LACNIC/LACNOG — Mendoza, Argentina
- Peering Asia — Osaka, Japan
- Middle East Peering Event — To Be Confirmed
These events provide hands-on exposure to Internet infrastructure discussions, networking operations, policy conversations, and collaboration opportunities with industry leaders.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Must be living in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America & Caribbean, or the Middle East
- Must have at least 3 years of experience in Internet infrastructure or development
- Should have knowledge or involvement in:
- Network building
- Internet routing
- IXPs
- Peering operations
- Internet governance or policy
- Must have basic English communication skills
- Must commit to the full six-month program
- Must dedicate approximately 4–6 hours weekly
- Must have reliable Internet access
- Should not have previously received the Peering Fellowship
- Should not have been selected as an Internet Society fellow from 2024 onwards
Applicants from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States are strongly encouraged to apply.
Number of Fellows
The Internet Society will select 20 fellows for the 2026 cohort.
Important Dates
Here are the key dates for the Peering Fellowship 2026:
- Applications Open: 27 April 2026
- Application Deadline: 17 May 2026
- Review Period: 18 May – 19 June 2026
- Selection Notifications: Late June 2026
- Fellowship Program: July – December 2026
Applicants are advised to submit their applications as early as possible.
How the Selection Process Works
The fellowship selection process is conducted in two review stages by separate committees. To ensure fairness and transparency, reviewers do not have access to personal demographic information such as names, gender, or contact details during evaluations.
Selection is based on:
- Professional experience
- Technical understanding
- Leadership potential
- Community impact
- Motivation to improve Internet infrastructure
Who Should Apply?
This fellowship is ideal for:
- Network engineers
- ISP professionals
- Telecom experts
- Internet governance advocates
- Routing specialists
- IXP operators
- Infrastructure engineers
- Policy professionals
- Technical community leaders
If you are passionate about strengthening Internet infrastructure and improving connectivity in your region, this opportunity can significantly boost your career and international exposure.
Conclusion:
The Internet Society Peering Fellowship 2026 is an exceptional opportunity for professionals who want to gain hands-on knowledge of Internet interconnection systems while becoming part of a global network of Internet leaders. With fully funded travel, advanced technical training, and exposure to international peering communities, this fellowship can open doors to impactful opportunities in networking, policy, and Internet infrastructure development.
Professionals from Asia-Pacific, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East should strongly consider applying before the deadline.
Apply Here: Internet Society Peering Fellowship 2026
Nabeel Akhter is an international education advocate and scholarship mentor dedicated to helping students access global academic opportunities. He studied in the United States at the University of Massachusetts Amherst through the Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Student Leaders program funded by the U.S. Department of State.
Inspired by this journey, Nabeel now actively mentors and guides students in finding and applying for scholarships, exchange programs, and global learning opportunities, helping them navigate pathways to study and grow internationally.