The DPI Governance in Africa Fellowship 2026, hosted by Fungai Africa, seeks to empower a new generation of African researchers. The program focuses on auditing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) through a human rights and democratic lens. Applications close on 5 April 2026, so interested candidates should act promptly.

This fellowship targets early-career researchers, digital rights advocates, and policy thinkers passionate about technology, governance, and justice in Africa. Fellows will join a vibrant network of digital rights and policy practitioners across the continent. Importantly, the program is remote and part-time, making it accessible to those balancing other commitments.

Key Details:
Application Deadline: 5 April 2026
Eligible Countries: Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa, Zambia, Rwanda, Tanzania
Program Duration: June – August 2026 (3 months)
Program Location: Remote
Funding/Benefits: $300/month stipend (total $900), bi-weekly virtual seminars, mentorship, and publication opportunities
Award Provider: Fungai Africa

About this Program

This fellowship aims to build capacity among African researchers to analyze and influence the governance of digital public infrastructure. DPI includes identity systems, data platforms, and service portals that shape state-citizen relations. The program emphasizes justice, rights, inclusion, and accountability. Fellows will learn to audit DPI using rights-based and social justice frameworks and investigate how DPI affects marginalized communities, including women, refugees, rural populations, and persons with disabilities.

The program structure includes three months of remote, part-time engagement. Fellows participate in bi-weekly virtual seminars and receive mentorship. The curriculum covers foundations of DPI and democracy, field research methods, and translating research into advocacy and policy outputs.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to early-career researchers
Digital rights advocates and policy thinkers encouraged to apply
Applicants must be passionate about technology, governance, and justice in Africa
Must reside in one of the focus countries: Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa, Zambia, Rwanda, or Tanzania

What Fellows Receive: $300/month stipend, access to virtual seminars, mentorship, and opportunities to publish research and advocacy outputs.
Program Components

Month 1: Foundations & Frameworks – Understanding DPI, rights-based frameworks, research methods, and comparative research design. Output: research protocols and stakeholder maps.
Month 2: Field Research & Documentation – Conducting interviews, analyzing policies, and managing data securely. Output: field notes, transcripts, and preliminary findings.
Month 3: Analysis & Translation – Structured data analysis, writing policy briefs, peer review, and cross-country synthesis. Output: final case study and policy outputs.

Fellows will contribute to a DPI research report, advocacy toolkit, country policy briefs, press summaries, and published opinion pieces.

How to Apply

Prepare your application materials as outlined on the official page.
Submit your application via the application form provided on the Fungai Africa website.
Ensure your application is complete before the deadline: 5 April 2026.

👉 Visit the official fellowship page for details

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