Applications are now open for the DSA Cambridge Fellowship 2027, an intensive 12-month hybrid leadership development programme designed for professionals working at the intersection of public policy, governance, artificial intelligence, data and digital transformation.
Organised by The Digital Statecraft Academy, the programme aims to prepare established and emerging leaders to navigate the policy, institutional and ethical challenges created by artificial intelligence, algorithmic decision-making, digital public infrastructure and data-driven government.
The programme combines structured online learning, individual expert consultations, peer collaboration, applied project development and a mandatory residential training week in Cambridge, United Kingdom. Fellows will complete approximately 120 hours of structured engagement over four programme quarters while continuing in their existing professional positions.
Applications for the Class of 2027 must be submitted by 14 September 2026.
Prospective applicants should understand that this is not advertised as a fully funded programme. Selected Fellows must pay a substantial participation fee and cover their own travel, visa, additional accommodation and certain project-related expenses.
DSA Cambridge Fellowship 2027 at a Glance
| Programme detail | Official information |
|---|---|
| Programme name | DSA Cambridge Fellowship Programme |
| Cohort | Class of 2027 |
| Organising institution | The Digital Statecraft Academy |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Estimated engagement | Approximately 120 hours |
| Delivery format | Hybrid online engagement and mandatory Cambridge residency |
| Main residency location | Cambridge, United Kingdom |
| Cambridge residency dates | 18–24 April 2027 |
| Residency accommodation | Six nights |
| Application deadline | 14 September 2026 |
| Registration and payment deadline | 7 December 2026 for selected Fellows |
| Participation fee | £11,700 plus VAT at 20% |
| Application method | Online Google application form |
| Programme language | English |
| Contact email | office@digitalstatecraft.academy |
The application closing time and applicable time zone have not been stated. Candidates should therefore submit well before the deadline rather than assuming the form will remain open until midnight in their local time.
About the DSA Cambridge Fellowship Programme
The DSA Cambridge Fellowship is a selective leadership programme developed for public leaders, policy professionals, researchers and practitioners seeking to govern technology and data responsibly.
According to the official programme overview, the Fellowship brings together an interdisciplinary international cohort drawn from government, public institutions, academia, international organisations and relevant industries.
The programme responds to the growing need for leaders who can understand both the opportunities and the risks associated with:
- Artificial intelligence in public decision-making
- Algorithmic systems used by governments and institutions
- Digital public infrastructure
- Data-driven policymaking
- GovTech and public-sector innovation
- Ethical and accountable digital transformation
- Institutional resilience in the algorithmic age
- Responsible technology adoption
- Evidence-informed policy design
- Human oversight of automated systems
The Fellowship is delivered by The Digital Statecraft Academy and supported by a network that includes the Centre for Science and Policy at the University of Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, Microsoft, The GovLab at New York University, Data for Policy CIC and the Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure.
An important clarification is that the completion certificate is issued by The Digital Statecraft Academy. The official FAQ explains that partner institutions, including the Centre for Science and Policy, may appear as programme delivery partners, but DSA remains the awarding institution. Applicants should not describe the programme as a degree or qualification awarded by the University of Cambridge.
Main Areas of Study
The programme concentrates on four interconnected fields of digital statecraft.
1. Digital Public Infrastructure
Fellows will examine the foundational digital systems governments and public institutions use to deliver essential services at scale. This may include identity systems, payments infrastructure, data exchanges, registries and interoperable public platforms.
The programme considers how such systems can be designed and governed in the public interest while addressing privacy, inclusion, security, interoperability and institutional accountability.
2. Algorithmic Governance
This area focuses on the use of algorithms and artificial intelligence in public administration and institutional decision-making.
Fellows will explore how AI-enabled processes can improve government operations while maintaining appropriate human oversight, ethical safeguards, transparency and democratic accountability.
3. GovTech
The GovTech component addresses the use of digital tools and innovative public-private collaboration to modernise public-sector operations.
Participants will consider how governments can adopt technology responsibly, evaluate vendors, manage institutional change, develop implementation capacity and turn digital strategies into workable public services.
4. Data for Policy
The programme will help Fellows understand how data, analytical methods and emerging AI capabilities can be used to produce meaningful policy insights.
The emphasis is not simply on possessing technical data skills. It is also on knowing how evidence should be interpreted, communicated and incorporated into policy decisions.
Who Should Consider Applying?
The programme is primarily intended for senior, established or emerging leaders who are already shaping, or have the potential to shape, institutional policy, strategy, research or innovation.
Potential applicants may be working in:
- Government departments and public authorities
- Public-sector institutions
- Intergovernmental and multilateral organisations
- Universities and research institutions
- Technology and data-related organisations
- Relevant private-sector industries
- Civil society and third-sector organisations
- Public policy, law and governance
- Artificial intelligence and data science
- Information systems and digital transformation
- Social sciences and humanities connected with digital governance
The official eligibility guidance indicates that strong candidates should demonstrate:
- Meaningful professional or academic experience in data science, artificial intelligence, public policy, governance or a related field
- An established or emerging leadership position
- Potential to create institutional or regional impact
- Influence or authority to advance data-driven transformation
- A vision for change extending beyond their immediate job responsibilities
- Commitment to public value and responsible technology
- Readiness to engage with interdisciplinary challenges
- Capacity to participate throughout the 12-month programme
- Ability to attend the mandatory Cambridge residency
- Strong professional and academic English
Direct technical experience in artificial intelligence is not an absolute requirement. The programme explicitly describes itself as multidisciplinary and advises applicants not to be discouraged if they do not have direct AI or digital innovation experience. However, candidates must still demonstrate a convincing connection between their work, leadership interests and the wider field of digital statecraft.
No specific university degree, minimum academic qualification, age limit or number of years of experience is stated in the published eligibility conditions.
Programme Structure
The Fellowship involves approximately 120 hours of structured engagement spread over four quarters. Its design is intended to be manageable for working professionals while still providing a substantial development experience.
Quarter 1: Foundations and Network Building
The first quarter introduces Fellows to the programme, their cohort and the broader DSA and Cambridge-connected ecosystem.
Activities are expected to include:
- Comprehensive programme onboarding
- Introduction to the foundations of digital statecraft
- Expert-led workshops
- Initial sessions on AI governance and regulatory frameworks
- Exposure to GovTech and digital public infrastructure initiatives
- Strategic introductions to experts relevant to each Fellow’s interests
- Peer introductions and cohort-building activities
- One-to-one meetings with selected researchers and practitioners
- Early development of the Fellow’s proposed project
Fellows may identify experts, researchers or institutions they would like to meet. However, the organisers do not guarantee that every requested connection will be arranged.
Introductions are facilitated on a rolling basis. Fellows are expected to complete meetings with experts already introduced before further introductions are arranged.
Quarter 2: Intensive Cambridge Residency
The second quarter includes the compulsory in-person residency in Cambridge from 18 to 24 April 2027.
The residency is organised around three principal training strands:
-
Systems Thinking for AI-Enabled Governance
Fellows will study strategic frameworks for managing digital transformation within complex institutions and governance environments.
-
Technology Comprehension and Capacity Building
This strand develops practical understanding across digital public infrastructure, Data for Policy, algorithmic governance and GovTech.
-
From Vision to Implementation
Fellows will examine how to convert strategic ideas into practical, measurable and deliverable institutional outcomes.
The residency may include workshops, panels, keynote sessions, collaborative exercises and direct engagement with academics, policy professionals and practitioners.
Attendance is mandatory. Remote participation will not be provided as an alternative, and missed residency sessions will not be repeated or made available as recordings for later completion.
Quarter 3: Individual Project Development
During the third quarter, Fellows will focus on developing their individual or collaborative applied projects.
Support may include:
- Guidance from academic and professional experts
- Peer feedback and review
- Collaborative working groups
- Publication advice
- Project milestone reviews
- Methodological guidance
- Connections with relevant institutions or practitioners
- Help refining the scope and feasibility of the proposed output
Project progress may be monitored through check-ins, reflective documentation and expert feedback. If a project encounters difficulties, its scope, timeline or methodology may be adjusted in consultation with DSA and relevant advisers.
Quarter 4: Project Delivery and Assessment
The fourth quarter focuses on finalising and delivering the Fellow’s principal output.
Possible outputs include:
- Policy papers
- Policy briefs
- Academic publications
- Policy workshops
- Applied research
- Digital or governance prototypes
- Implementation frameworks
- Institutional strategies
- Regional transformation projects
- Other outputs addressing a substantive governance or policy challenge
Fellows are also expected to complete a reflective summary documenting their learning and development.
The final quarter includes programme evaluation, cohort assessment and transition into the DSA alumni network. Projects may continue after the Fellowship, and participants are encouraged to maintain the professional relationships developed during the programme.
Further details are available on the official programme structure page.
Learning Outcomes and Benefits
By completing the programme, Fellows are expected to strengthen their capabilities in several areas.
Strategic Leadership for the AI Era
Participants will explore frameworks for governing AI and data in the public interest. The programme aims to develop the strategic vision and change-management capacity required to lead digital transformation while protecting democratic values and institutional accountability.
Technical Fluency
Fellows will build working knowledge across:
- Digital public infrastructure
- Data for Policy
- Algorithmic government and governance
- GovTech
- AI-enabled institutional systems
- Evidence-based technology decisions
The programme is designed to develop leadership-level technical understanding rather than turn every participant into a software engineer or data scientist.
Implementation and Project Management
Fellows will learn how to convert strategic ideas into practical initiatives through:
- Project planning
- Stakeholder engagement
- Institutional coordination
- Policy design
- Pilot development
- Crisis decision-making
- Monitoring progress
- Scaling successful innovations
Global Professional Network
Participants will join an international community of professionals working in data, AI, policy and governance. Fellows may gain access to relevant academics, practitioners and institutional networks.
However, preferred expert matches and institutional introductions are not guaranteed.
Certificate and Professional Visibility
Fellows who satisfactorily complete the programme may receive a DSA Cambridge Fellowship Certificate of Completion and join the DSA alumni network.
The programme also identifies possible publication and international conference presentation pathways. These are opportunities rather than guaranteed outcomes.
Participation in the Data for Policy conference or publication in the Data & Policy journal is optional. Conference registration, travel and related expenses are not included in the Fellowship fee.
Applied Project
Every Fellow is expected to develop a practical output relevant to their professional or regional context. The goal is to leave the programme with more than theoretical knowledge by producing an initiative, framework, publication or prototype capable of supporting real-world institutional change.
The official learning outcomes provide additional information about the capabilities participants are expected to develop.
Participation Fee and Financial Obligations
The full published participation fee is:
£11,700 plus VAT at 20%.
If VAT is charged at the stated 20% rate, the VAT-inclusive amount would be £14,040.
Applicants should confirm the final invoiced amount and applicable VAT treatment directly with DSA before making any financial commitment.
The fee is stated to cover:
- Tuition and online learning modules
- Training materials
- Ongoing academic and professional support
- Cambridge residency programme activities
- Six nights of accommodation during the residency
- Breakfast during the residency
- Lunch during the residency
- Tea and coffee services
- Structured expert and cohort engagement
The following expenses are not covered:
- International or domestic travel to Cambridge
- UK visa application fees
- Travel insurance
- Additional accommodation before or after the residency
- Meals not expressly included by the organisers
- Personal and incidental expenses
- Costs incurred by accompanying guests
- Bank transfer charges
- Costs of implementing the Fellow’s regional project
- Data for Policy conference fees
- Conference-related travel and accommodation
- Other external activities not included in the programme
Applicants must explain their funding position in the application form. Funding may come from:
- Personal resources
- Employer or institutional sponsorship
- External sponsorship
- Another confirmed funding source
The website welcomes organisations interested in sponsoring Fellows. However, the published application documents do not announce an automatic DSA scholarship, fee waiver, stipend or travel grant. Candidates should not apply on the assumption that funding will be provided after selection.
Institutional nomination or sponsorship may strengthen an application, but applications must still be submitted by individuals. Group or team applications are not accepted.
Payment Deadline and Conditions
Selected Fellows must complete payment and enrolment by 7 December 2026.
According to the official terms and conditions, failure to complete payment or enrolment by that date will result in the offer being withdrawn. The terms further state that late or incomplete payment may affect future applications to the Digital Statecraft Academy.
Payment is made by bank transfer to Digital Statecraft Ltd. Selected Fellows should use their surname and “DSA27” as the transfer reference and remain responsible for applicable bank charges.
Applicants should independently verify all bank information through the official DSA website or by contacting the programme office before transferring funds.
Refund and Withdrawal Policy
The participation fee becomes non-refundable once enrolment is confirmed.
Refunds and deferrals will not ordinarily be provided when a Fellow is unable to attend because of:
- Visa refusal or delay
- Travel restrictions
- Personal scheduling conflicts
- Professional commitments
- Other attendance-related circumstances
Applicants are encouraged to obtain appropriate insurance to reduce potential losses associated with travel, visas or unforeseen disruptions.
The organisers also disclaim responsibility for delays, changes or disruptions arising from circumstances outside their control, including force majeure events.
Cambridge Residency Arrangements
The Cambridge residency is scheduled for 18–24 April 2027.
The programme provides:
- Six nights of accommodation
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Tea and coffee services
- Scheduled training and programme activities
Fellows are responsible for arranging and financing their own transportation to and from Cambridge.
Those wishing to extend their stay may ask DSA to check whether additional accommodation is available at the residency venue. Any extra nights and associated expenses remain the Fellow’s responsibility.
Accompanying partners or guests must be disclosed to the programme team in advance. Availability is not guaranteed, and Fellows must cover all guest-related costs. Guests under 18 are not permitted, and guests cannot participate in Fellowship sessions or programme content.
Visa Requirements
Participants who require permission to enter the United Kingdom must obtain the appropriate visa themselves.
DSA can provide an official invitation or visa-support letter upon request, but the Fellow remains responsible for:
- Determining the correct visa category
- Preparing the application
- Paying visa fees
- Providing supporting evidence
- Attending any required appointment
- Managing the application timeline
- Bearing the consequences of delay or refusal
Because the programme fee is non-refundable after confirmed enrolment, international applicants should evaluate the visa risk carefully and begin preparations early.
Application Requirements
Candidates must submit the following materials through the official application form.
1. Curriculum Vitae
Applicants must upload a CV of no more than two pages.
The CV must include contact information for three referees capable of commenting on the applicant’s suitability for the Fellowship.
Applicants should ensure the CV highlights:
- Current position and responsibilities
- Leadership experience
- Policy or governance contributions
- Work involving AI, data, public-sector innovation or digital transformation
- Institutional or regional influence
- Major projects and measurable results
- Research, publications or relevant professional achievements
- Contact details for three appropriate referees
The application form accepts one CV file with a maximum size of 10 MB.
2. Fellowship Questions
Applicants must propose three to five Fellowship Questions reflecting their professional interests.
These questions will help the organisers understand the applicant’s learning priorities and arrange tailored networking or expert meetings during the programme.
Effective questions should:
- Address a specific policy, governance or institutional challenge
- Be directly connected to the applicant’s current work
- Be suitable for discussion with academics or practitioners
- Demonstrate intellectual curiosity
- Connect technology with public value
- Be broad enough to benefit from interdisciplinary expertise
- Help identify appropriate experts and institutions
3. One-Page Project Proposal
Applicants must submit a one-page proposal explaining the initial idea for the principal output they intend to develop and deliver in the fourth quarter.
The proposal should clearly identify:
- The policy or governance problem
- Why the problem is important
- The institutional or regional context
- The intended output
- Key stakeholders
- Expected results
- The applicant’s role
- How the Fellowship would strengthen the project
- How the output could be implemented or used
The proposed output could be a policy paper, institutional framework, implementation plan, research publication, policy workshop, prototype or similar applied product.
The form accepts one proposal file in PDF or document format with a maximum size of 10 MB.
4. Introductory Video
Candidates must upload a short introductory video of no more than three minutes.
The video should:
- Introduce the applicant
- Explain their professional background
- Describe their current role
- State why they want to join the programme
- Explain what they hope to gain
- Identify what they intend to achieve by the end of the Fellowship
The form permits one video file with a maximum size of 10 MB. Applicants should compress and test the video before attempting to upload it.
5. Confirmation of Travel Availability
Applicants must confirm that they can travel to Cambridge for the mandatory residential component.
Candidates should not confirm availability unless they have realistically considered:
- Professional leave
- Family responsibilities
- Passport validity
- Visa requirements
- Travel costs
- Travel time
- Health and accessibility requirements
6. Funding Information
Applicants must explain whether they will be:
- Self-funded
- Supported by their institution
- Externally sponsored
- Funded through another confirmed arrangement
Candidates should provide a clear and credible funding explanation rather than leaving the financial position uncertain.
7. Institutional Support Letters
Applicants may upload institutional support letters where applicable.
A useful letter should confirm:
- The applicant’s position
- Organisational approval for participation
- Permission to attend online and in-person activities
- Support for the proposed project
- Any financial sponsorship being provided
- The organisation’s interest in applying the Fellowship’s outcomes
The form allows up to five support documents, with a maximum size of 10 MB for each file.
8. Form Consents
The application form asks whether candidates wish to:
- Subscribe to the DSA mailing list
- Allow their email address to be shared with other cohort members if selected
Applicants can choose yes or no. They should read the privacy and communication terms carefully before giving consent.
Because the form requires file uploads, applicants should expect to sign in with a Google account. The form explains that the name, email address and profile information associated with the account may be recorded when files are uploaded and the form is submitted.
English-Language Requirement
The entire programme is conducted in English.
Fellows must be able to:
- Participate actively in professional discussions
- Understand assigned readings
- Communicate with experts and peers
- Produce written assignments
- Present project ideas
- Prepare outputs to a high professional standard
No additional language-support service is provided.
The published materials do not specify an IELTS, TOEFL or other formal English test. Nevertheless, applicants must possess sufficient practical English proficiency to participate fully.
Selection Process
The Fellowship is highly selective and admits only a small cohort.
Applications are assessed primarily on:
- Individual merit
- Professional or academic experience
- Leadership record and potential
- Relevance of the applicant’s work
- Quality of the project proposal
- Strength of the applicant’s motivation
- Potential institutional or regional impact
- Ability to contribute to peer learning
- Commitment to public value
- Diversity of disciplines, sectors, skills and geographic backgrounds
Candidates may be contacted for clarification or additional information. Applicants should therefore monitor their email and add office@digitalstatecraft.academy to their safe-senders list.
An exact selection-notification date has not been published. The FAQ states that successful applicants will be notified by email several weeks before the programme begins and will receive an official acceptance letter with next-step instructions.
Unsuccessful candidates may reapply for a future cohort with a more developed proposal.
Attendance and Certificate Requirements
Fellows are expected to participate actively in:
- Online learning modules
- Small-group sessions
- Workshops
- Expert meetings
- Peer discussions
- The Cambridge residency
- Project-development activities
- Programme assessments
Online sessions may be scheduled according to the availability of most cohort members. Because the cohort is international, participants may occasionally need to attend outside normal working hours.
Significant absences may affect eligibility for the completion certificate. Fellows should notify the programme coordinators as early as possible about scheduling conflicts.
Although the terms indicate that video or audio recording may occur during some programme activities, recordings will not be offered as a substitute for attending the mandatory Cambridge residency.
Networking and Expert Engagement
Fellows will have opportunities to interact with professionals and experts from DSA, Data for Policy, the University of Cambridge ecosystem, the Centre for Science and Policy and other relevant partner networks.
Networking may include:
- One-to-one expert consultations
- Cohort workshops
- Peer introductions
- Thematic discussions
- Research-policy meetings
- Collaborative project work
- Alumni activities
- Selected events and knowledge-sharing initiatives
After an external expert introduction has been made, the Fellow may be expected to arrange the meeting directly according to mutual availability.
The organisers facilitate connections but do not guarantee access to every requested individual or institution. The depth of each professional relationship will depend partly on the Fellow’s own initiative.
Intellectual Property, Ethics and Confidentiality
Policy drafts, prototypes, research ideas and other materials produced by Fellows remain the property of the respective Fellows unless another arrangement is agreed in writing.
Participants must respect:
- The intellectual property of peers and mentors
- Confidential information shared during meetings
- Institutional restrictions
- Professional boundaries
- Applicable research ethics
- Data-protection requirements
Projects involving human participants, sensitive data or regulated research may require approval from the Fellow’s institution or relevant national authority. Obtaining such approval is the Fellow’s responsibility.
The programme generally applies confidentiality principles to expert discussions. Larger group sessions may operate under the Chatham House Rule, allowing information to be used without disclosing the identity or affiliation of the speaker.
Privacy, Communications and Publicity
Personal data is processed in accordance with the UK Data Protection Act 2018, UK GDPR and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations.
The programme may use Fellows’ names, professional biographies and photographs for:
- Cohort announcements
- Programme communications
- Professional introductions
- DSA network visibility
- Partner communications
Contact details may also be shared within relevant programme groups to facilitate networking.
Video and audio recording may take place during programme activities. Fellows who do not wish to appear should notify the programme team in advance.
The cohort is normally announced after selected Fellows have confirmed participation. Applicants should not publicly present themselves as Fellows before enrolment is confirmed and the cohort is officially announced by DSA.
Professional Conduct
Participants must maintain appropriate professional standards throughout online sessions, the Cambridge residency and communications with peers, mentors and partner organisations.
Inappropriate, disruptive or unprofessional behaviour may lead to removal from the programme.
The organisers reserve the right to make reasonable changes to the schedule, content or delivery format when necessary. Fellows will be informed in advance of significant amendments.
How to Apply for the DSA Cambridge Fellowship 2027
Applicants should follow these steps:
- Review the official programme overview.
- Read the application requirements.
- Read the complete terms and conditions.
- Review the official Fellowship FAQ.
- Confirm that you can meet the fee, travel, visa and attendance obligations.
- Prepare a two-page CV with three referees.
- Develop three to five meaningful Fellowship Questions.
- Prepare the one-page project proposal.
- Record and compress the three-minute introductory video.
- Obtain institutional support letters where applicable.
- Explain your funding arrangements clearly.
- Submit the official online application form by 14 September 2026.
Candidates should retain copies of every submitted document and take a screenshot or save any submission confirmation they receive.
Important Dates
- Application deadline: 14 September 2026
- Registration and payment deadline for selected Fellows: 7 December 2026
- Cambridge residency: 18–24 April 2027
- Exact programme commencement date: Not expressly stated in the reviewed information
- Selection notification date: Not expressly stated; successful candidates will be contacted by email
Contact Information
Questions about eligibility, payment, sponsorship, accessibility, visas or programme arrangements should be directed to:
Email: office@digitalstatecraft.academy
Official website: The Digital Statecraft Academy
Applicants should rely on official DSA communications when verifying payment instructions, selection results or changes to programme dates.
Conclusion
The DSA Cambridge Fellowship 2027 offers an extensive professional development pathway for leaders seeking to understand and shape the future of artificial intelligence, public-sector data, digital infrastructure and technology-enabled governance.
Its combination of online learning, expert engagement, a mandatory Cambridge residency and an applied project may be particularly valuable for professionals capable of translating new knowledge into institutional or regional reforms.
However, candidates must evaluate the financial and logistical obligations before applying. The programme carries a published fee of £11,700 plus VAT, while travel, visas, additional accommodation and project implementation costs remain the Fellow’s responsibility. The fee is also non-refundable after enrolment is confirmed.
Applicants who can demonstrate meaningful leadership, a credible applied project, strong English communication, institutional influence and a clear funding plan should prepare their documents carefully and submit the official application no later than 14 September 2026.
For more global opportunities, click HERE.
