Digital Impact Alliance Fellowship Program: Shape the Future of Digital Public Infrastructure and Data Governance

The Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL) Fellowship Program offers mid-career professionals a unique opportunity to conduct research in areas related to digital public infrastructure and data governance. Fellows bring their own research agendas while contributing to DIAL’s goals of improving digital systems and data sharing for global development. This fellowship is open to professionals from academia, the private sector, and civil society who have a strong interest in digital transformation and its societal impact.

Fellowship details include a duration of 6-8 months and a stipend of $5,000 USD. Eligibility requires 8-15 years of experience in digital development, policy, or research. Candidates should have demonstrated work at the intersection of technology and society, particularly in areas like data governance or digital public infrastructure. Applicants should have a track record of high-quality research, writing, or policy work, and experience working in or with global majority countries.

Research focus areas include:

1.How to create more value from data for people.

2.Examining the societal impacts of digital systems, particularly on marginalized communities.

3.Accelerating the adoption of data sharing and governance innovations.

Program benefits consist of mentorship from Digital Impact Alliance staff and global experts, collaboration opportunities with DIAL’s network and partners, support in amplifying fellows’ research and findings, and becoming part of a community focused on digital public infrastructure and governance.

Each fellow is expected to produce two preliminary pieces (e.g., expert comments, video interviews) and a final research output (e.g., comprehensive report, policy brief, or research paper).

The application process requires submission of a CV, a writing sample, and a 1,500-word research proposal outlining key research questions, methodology, and alignment with DIAL’s priorities. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and selected candidates will be notified within four weeks of submission.

For more information or to submit your application, click here.