Overview of the International Visiting Fellowships 2026
The Centre for Protecting Women Online, hosted by The Open University, has officially launched Round 2 of its International Visiting Fellowships 2026. This initiative is designed to bring together global researchers and professionals working on issues related to protecting women online, digital safety, and impactful research collaborations.
The fellowship offers selected individuals an opportunity to dedicate focused time to research, co-create innovative outputs, and collaborate with academics and partners connected to the Centre for Protecting Women Online.
The program supports both residential and virtual fellowship formats, making it accessible to international participants regardless of location.
Purpose of the Fellowship
The International Visiting Fellowship is structured to:
- Support impactful research focused on protecting women in digital spaces
- Enable international collaboration between researchers and experts
- Strengthen academic and non-academic research networks
- Promote co-creation of research outputs with institutional partners
- Encourage knowledge exchange across global regions
- Enhance public engagement and research visibility
Fellows will also have the opportunity to present their research at dedicated Centre events and engage with an extensive international academic network.
Fellowship Structure and Types
1. Residential Fellowships
- Fellows travel to the UK for in-person collaboration
- Travel and accommodation costs are covered (where not supported by the home institution)
- Duration: 4 to 12 weeks
- Start date: From October 2026
2. Virtual Fellowships
- Conducted remotely
- Suitable for international applicants unable to travel
- Provides flexible collaboration with Centre researchers and partners
Key Benefits of the Fellowship
Selected fellows will receive a wide range of academic and professional benefits, including:
- Direct collaboration with leading researchers at the Centre for Protecting Women Online
- Access to institutional research networks and global partners
- Opportunity to co-develop research projects and outputs
- Presentation opportunities at Centre-hosted academic events
- Research mentorship (especially for early career researchers)
- Assigned academic mentor throughout the fellowship
- Exposure to interdisciplinary research environments
- Contribution to real-world impact initiatives in digital safety and women’s protection online
Responsibilities of Visiting Fellows
Participants are expected to actively contribute to the Centre’s research environment. Responsibilities include:
- Engaging in academic and public engagement activities
- Contributing to seminars and research events
- Participating in collaborative research discussions
- Delivering agreed outputs from fellowship research activities
- Supporting the Centre’s research culture and innovation goals
Key Dates
- Application deadline: 31 May 2026
- Selection results announced: End of June 2026
- Fellowship start date: From October 2026
Application Process: How to Apply
Applicants must complete the official application form and submit it via email.
Submission Email:
protecting-women-online@open.ac.uk
Application Requirements:
Applicants must provide:
- Research focus and its relevance to the Centre for Protecting Women Online
- Description of proposed project or contribution to ongoing research
- Explanation of how the fellowship supports personal academic or professional development
- Planned activities and expected outputs
- Preferred fellowship type (residential or virtual)
- Proposed start date and time allocation
Applicants are encouraged to contact the Centre in advance to discuss their ideas before submission.
For more information about this opportunity, visit here.
Discover more Global Fellowship Opportunities on OFY here.
