FUNGAI Africa Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Governance in Africa Fellowship 2026 for early-career researchers ($300/month stipend)

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Application Deadline: April 5, 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 FUNGAI Africa DPI Governance in Africa Fellowship. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), which includes identity systems, data platforms, and service portals reshaping state-citizen relations, is not neutral. It either deepens inequality or advances justice. This fellowship brings together a new generation of African researchers to audit DPI through a human rights and democratic lens.

Fellowship objectives

By the end of the programme, fellows will be able to:

• Analyze DPI governance using rights-based and social justice frameworks
• Investigate how DPI affects marginalised communities (women, refugees, rural populations, persons with disabilities)
• Apply digital security best practices in sensitive research environments
• Translate complex findings into policy, advocacy, and public-facing outputs
• Join a growing network of African digital rights and policy practitioners

Requirements

• Early-career researchers
• Digital rights advocates
• Policy thinkers
• Anyone passionate about technology, governance, and justice in AfricaApplications are now open for the DPI Governance in Africa Fellowship!

Fellowship Structure

Output: Country research protocols + stakeholder maps

Month 2: Field Research & Documentation

• Conducting interviews and managing sensitive conversations
• Analysing policies, contracts, and legislation
• Data management: transcription, coding, secure storage
• Mid-point peer review and reflection

Output: Field notes, transcripts, preliminary findings

Month 3: Analysis & Translation

• Turning data into structured analysis
• Writing for advocacy: policy briefs, toolkits, public outputs
• Peer review and refinement
• Cross-country comparison and synthesis

Output: Final case study + policy outputs

Fellow Outputs

Fellows will contribute to:

• A DPI Research Report (country case studies + synthesis)
• A DPI Advocacy Toolkit
• Country Policy Briefs
• Press summaries & public messaging outputs
• Published opinion pieces

This fellowship is about ensuring that Africa’s digital future is built on:

• Justice
• Rights
• Inclusion
• Accountability

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the FUNGAI Africa DPI Governance in Africa Fellowship