Interledger Fellowship Program 2026 | $92,000 Funding for Digital Financial Inclusion Projects

Applications are now officially open for the 2026 Interledger Fellowship Program, a prestigious global fellowship supporting innovators, researchers, developers, educators, advocates, and creators working to remove barriers to digital financial inclusion.

The Interledger Foundation Fellowship is a fully funded 12-month program designed to support individuals building solutions that help underserved communities access and participate meaningfully in digital financial systems.

Selected fellows will receive a total compensation package of up to $92,000, including direct fellowship funding and project support.

Applications will remain open until June 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM EDT.

About the Interledger Fellowship Program

The Interledger Fellowship Program is a global initiative focused on advancing equitable access to digital financial systems and economic participation.

The fellowship supports individuals whose work addresses real-world financial exclusion challenges, including:

• High transaction costs
• Documentation barriers
• Limited financial literacy
• Exclusionary regulations
• Inaccessible digital infrastructure
• Lack of community-centered financial tools

The program seeks to empower fellows who are developing innovative approaches that make financial systems more inclusive, accessible, and community-driven.

Fellowship Duration

The fellowship runs for:

• 12 months

During this period, fellows will work on their proposed projects while engaging with the Interledger Foundation’s global ecosystem.

Funding and Benefits

Selected fellows will receive:

Fellowship Compensation

• $72,000 total fellowship compensation

Project Support Funding

• Additional $20,000 stipend for:
  • Research
  • Development
  • Organizing
  • Advocacy
  • Community engagement
  • Technical implementation

Total Funding

• Up to $92,000 overall support

This funding is intended to allow fellows to focus fully on impactful projects that advance financial inclusion and digital participation.

Focus Areas for 2026

The Interledger Foundation is seeking proposals in several critical areas related to digital financial inclusion.

1. Research

Projects that study:

• Regulatory barriers
• Economic challenges
• Technical obstacles
• Social exclusion in digital finance systems

The fellowship welcomes evidence-based research exploring why certain populations remain excluded from digital financial services.

2. Education and Capacity Building

Projects that:

• Create educational resources
• Develop financial literacy programs
• Build community training initiatives
• Increase awareness of digital financial tools

This area is especially focused on communities with limited exposure to digital financial technologies.

3. Policy and Standards

Projects advocating for:

• Inclusive regulatory frameworks
• Open financial systems
• Technical interoperability standards
• Consumer protection without exclusion

Applicants working on governance, policy reform, and open standards are encouraged to apply.

4. Solutions for Underserved Markets

The fellowship supports innovators creating:

• Financial tools
• Digital payment systems
• Open-source technologies
• Accessible infrastructure
• Community-centered financial products

Projects should focus on populations currently underserved by existing systems.

5. Ecosystem Strengthening

Projects that build:

• Communities
• Networks
• Support systems
• Collaborative platforms

The goal is to help people navigate and benefit from digital financial services more effectively.

Who Should Apply?

The fellowship welcomes diverse applicants from across sectors and disciplines.

Ideal applicants include:

• Researchers
• Software developers
• Open-source contributors
• Educators
• Community organizers
• Entrepreneurs
• Policy experts
• Financial inclusion advocates
• Artists and storytellers
• Human rights advocates
• Digital rights activists

The program especially values applicants working closely with underserved communities.

Why This Fellowship Matters

Digital financial systems increasingly shape how people:

• Access opportunities
• Receive payments
• Build businesses
• Participate in society

Yet millions remain excluded due to systemic barriers.

The Interledger Fellowship aims to support people building more equitable systems where access to financial tools is:

• Affordable
• Inclusive
• Community-centered
• Privacy-conscious
• Accessible to all

The program recognizes that financial inclusion is not only about technology, but also about dignity, participation, and economic justice.

Inspiration from Previous Fellows

The fellowship builds on the success of the Interledger Ambassadorship Program, which since 2020 has supported global innovators working in:

• Open-source technology
• Accessibility
• Advocacy
• Education
• Research
• Community engagement

Past fellows have explored themes including:

• Digital equity
• Financial rights
• Data governance
• Accessibility in technology
• Community-centered finance
• Diaspora financial systems
• Inclusive digital infrastructure

Application Timeline

Applications Open

• April 1, 2026

Application Deadline

• June 15, 2026
• 11:59 PM EDT

Late applications may not be accepted.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the official Submittable platform.

Applicants should review:

• The FAQ
• The official Application Guide
• Eligibility requirements
• Proposal instructions

before applying.

APPLY HERE

Why You Should Apply

The Interledger Fellowship is one of the most impactful global opportunities for innovators working at the intersection of:

• Technology
• Finance
• Community development
• Human rights
• Open systems
• Economic inclusion

The fellowship provides:

• Significant funding support
• Global visibility
• Access to an international network
• Space to focus on impactful work
• Opportunities to shape the future of digital finance

For researchers, developers, educators, and advocates committed to equitable economic participation, this fellowship offers both resources and a powerful platform.

For more information on this fellowship visit here 

For more Fellowship Opportunities, visit OFY here.