AI, Ethics and Climate Governance Fellowship 2026: Apply for an Eight-Week Online Programme for Emerging African Researchers and Policy Thinkers.

The AI, Ethics and Climate Governance Fellowship 2026 is an eight-week online fellowship designed for emerging African researchers, practitioners, advocates, journalists, policy professionals and other early-career professionals interested in the intersection of artificial intelligence, climate action, ethics, technology policy and governance.

The inaugural fellowship is being organised by Emerging Climate Frontiers (ECF) and the Young Africans Research Academy (YARA). It seeks to build a cohort of approximately 25 emerging African leaders and thinkers who can critically examine the opportunities, risks and governance challenges associated with artificial intelligence and other frontier technologies shaping Africa’s climate future.

The programme will explore how technologies such as artificial intelligence are increasingly being applied to climate modelling, agriculture, energy systems, early-warning systems, carbon measurement and environmental decision-making. At the same time, participants will examine important questions surrounding algorithmic bias, data governance, accountability, transparency, consent, climate justice and unequal global power relations.

A major component of the fellowship will involve developing an evidence-informed governance policy brief addressing a real policy or governance challenge within an African country, sector or discipline.

AI, Ethics and Climate Governance Fellowship 2026 Overview

The fellowship provides an opportunity for early-career Africans to develop a deeper understanding of the governance implications of emerging technologies and their relationship with climate action.

Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly relevant to environmental and climate-related decision-making. It can support the analysis of large datasets, improve climate modelling, contribute to agricultural planning, support energy systems and strengthen early-warning mechanisms.

However, the increasing use of AI and other frontier technologies also raises significant governance questions.

These include:

• Who controls the data used to develop and deploy AI systems?
• How can algorithmic bias affect communities and decision-making?
• Who is accountable when technology produces harmful or inaccurate outcomes?
• How should individuals and communities provide meaningful consent?
• How can African countries participate more fairly in the development and governance of emerging technologies?
• How should climate technologies be governed when their impacts may extend across borders and generations?
• How can technological innovation contribute to climate action while protecting justice, rights and public interests?

The fellowship is designed to help participants critically engage with these questions and develop African-grounded approaches to technology and climate governance.

Who Is Organising the Fellowship?

The Emerging Climate Frontiers (ECF) and the Young Africans Research Academy (YARA) are organising the inaugural AI, Ethics and Climate Governance Fellowship.

The programme brings together climate, technology, governance and policy perspectives to help emerging African professionals and researchers understand the complex relationship between technological innovation and climate governance.

Approximately 25 fellows from across Africa will be selected for the programme.

What Is the Duration of the Fellowship?

The AI, Ethics and Climate Governance Fellowship is an eight-week online programme.

The programme timeline is as follows:

• Onboarding: 20 October 2026
• Programme period: 21 October to 15 December 2026
• Application deadline: 16 October 2026 at 11:59 PM GMT

Applicants should ensure that they are available to participate throughout the programme period and can commit approximately five hours each week.

What Is the Format of the AI, Ethics and Climate Governance Fellowship?

The fellowship is conducted fully online, making it accessible to participants located in different parts of Africa.

Fellows should expect approximately five hours of engagement per week. This time will include:

• A weekly live session
• Required and recommended readings
• Group discussions
• Collaborative activities
• Individual or group work related to the fellowship output

The organisers have also indicated that sessions will be recorded and that learning materials will be designed with different connectivity conditions in mind.

This approach is intended to make participation more practical for fellows who may have varying levels of internet connectivity.

What Will Fellows Learn?

The fellowship will examine a broad range of issues related to artificial intelligence, climate action, technology governance and ethics.

Key areas of exploration will include the following.

1. Artificial Intelligence and Climate Action

Participants will explore how artificial intelligence is increasingly being applied to climate-related challenges.

Potential areas of application include:

• Climate modelling
• Agriculture
• Energy systems
• Early-warning systems
• Carbon measurement
• Environmental decision-making

The fellowship will encourage participants to look beyond the technological possibilities and examine the governance implications of deploying AI in these areas.

2. AI Ethics and Climate Justice

Participants will examine ethical questions surrounding artificial intelligence and climate action.

This includes considering whether the benefits and risks of emerging technologies are distributed fairly and how technology-related decisions can affect different communities.

The relationship between AI governance and climate justice will therefore be an important part of the programme.

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3. Data Governance, Algorithmic Bias and Consent

Data is central to many artificial intelligence systems. However, the collection, ownership, processing and use of data can create significant governance challenges.

Participants will explore issues such as:

• Data governance
• Algorithmic bias
• Consent
• Accountability
• Transparency
• Responsible use of information

Understanding these issues is particularly important when technology is used to influence environmental or climate-related decisions.

4. Power, Technology and the Global South

The programme will examine the relationship between technological development and global power structures.

Participants will consider questions around the role of African countries and other countries in the Global South in shaping technological governance.

This component will encourage fellows to think about how governance approaches can reflect African realities, priorities and perspectives.

5. African and International AI Governance Frameworks

Fellows will examine existing approaches to AI governance at both African and international levels.

This will help participants understand how different governance systems address the opportunities and risks associated with artificial intelligence.

6. Governance of Emerging and Frontier Climate Technologies

The fellowship will also focus on the governance of emerging and frontier technologies connected to climate action.

Participants will consider how policymakers, researchers and other stakeholders can approach technologies whose potential impacts, risks and governance requirements are still developing.

7. Carbon Dioxide Removal and Solar Radiation Modification

Specific attention will be given to emerging climate technologies such as:

• Carbon dioxide removal
• Solar radiation modification

These technologies raise complex questions about environmental impacts, accountability, international governance, risks and decision-making.

8. Responsible Innovation and Technology Policy

Participants will explore approaches to ensuring that technological development considers broader societal and environmental consequences.

The concept of responsible innovation will be connected to technology policy and governance.

9. Writing Evidence-Informed Governance Policy Briefs

The fellowship will also develop participants’ ability to translate research and analysis into practical policy recommendations.

Fellows will learn about writing evidence-informed governance policy briefs that address real-world policy and governance challenges.

Fellowship Output: Governance Policy Brief

A major requirement of the fellowship will be the development of a 1,500–2,000-word governance policy brief.

Fellows will work either individually or collaboratively to develop their policy brief.

The brief must be grounded in a real policy or governance challenge within an African country, sector or discipline.

This provides fellows with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and analytical skills developed during the programme to a concrete governance issue.

Selected outstanding policy briefs may be published by Emerging Climate Frontiers and the Young Africans Research Academy.

For participants interested in research, policy, advocacy, journalism or communications, the policy brief can also provide a practical piece of work demonstrating their ability to analyse an emerging issue and communicate evidence-informed recommendations.

What Will Successful Fellows Receive?

Participants who successfully complete the programme will receive:

• A fellowship completion certificate
• Membership in the ECF–YARA fellowship alumni network
• Experience working on an African technology and climate governance issue
• Exposure to discussions on AI ethics and climate justice
• Experience developing an evidence-informed governance policy brief
• Opportunities for collaborative learning with other emerging African professionals and researchers

In addition, selected outstanding policy briefs may be published by ECF and YARA.

Who Should Apply for the AI, Ethics and Climate Governance Fellowship?

The fellowship particularly welcomes applications from early-career Africans working or studying in areas connected to climate, technology, governance, research, policy, communications and development.

Potential applicants include:

• Junior researchers
• Graduate students
• Early-career policy professionals
• Civil-society practitioners
• Development practitioners
• Climate professionals
• Environmental professionals
• Journalists
• Advocates
• Technology professionals
• Computing professionals
• Legal professionals
• Economists
• Public policy professionals
• Social science researchers and practitioners

The programme is intentionally interdisciplinary, meaning applicants do not have to come from one particular academic or professional background.

Do You Need an Artificial Intelligence Background?

No.

One of the important features of the fellowship is that applicants do not need a technical background in artificial intelligence.

This means individuals whose expertise is in areas such as climate action, environmental work, public policy, law, economics, journalism, advocacy, social sciences, development or governance can also apply.

The fellowship is designed around the governance, ethical and policy dimensions of emerging technologies rather than requiring applicants to be AI engineers or technical specialists.

How Will Applications Be Assessed?

Applications will be assessed using several factors.

These include:

Motivation

Applicants should demonstrate a clear interest in the fellowship and explain why they want to explore AI, ethics and climate governance.

Relevance of Experience or Study

Applicants should demonstrate how their professional experience, academic studies, research or other activities relate to the themes of the fellowship.

Analytical Potential

The selection process will consider applicants’ ability to think critically and analyse complex questions.

Interest in African Technology and Climate Governance

Applicants should demonstrate an interest in how technology and climate governance affect African countries, communities, institutions or sectors.

Contribution to the Cohort

The programme will bring together fellows from different backgrounds, and applicants should be able to contribute perspectives, experiences and ideas that can enrich the cohort.

Ability to Commit

Applicants should be able to dedicate approximately five hours per week to fellowship activities throughout the programme.

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Why Is This Fellowship Relevant?

The growing use of artificial intelligence in climate and environmental decision-making means that technical innovation increasingly needs to be considered alongside questions of governance and ethics.

AI can create opportunities for improved analysis, forecasting and decision-making. However, the use of these technologies can also introduce questions about data ownership, bias, accountability, transparency, consent and access.

For African countries, these questions are particularly important because technological governance needs to take into account local contexts, institutional capacity, development priorities and the interests of affected communities.

The AI, Ethics and Climate Governance Fellowship provides a space for emerging African researchers, practitioners and policy thinkers to engage with these issues and consider approaches that are grounded in African realities.

What Makes the Fellowship Interdisciplinary?

The programme brings together several fields that are increasingly connected.

These include:

• Artificial intelligence
• Climate change
• Environmental governance
• Public policy
• Ethics
• Law
• Economics
• Data governance
• Technology policy
• Research
• Journalism
• Advocacy
• Development

This interdisciplinary approach means that participants can examine emerging technologies from perspectives beyond technical development.

For example, a policy professional might examine regulatory approaches to AI, while a journalist could explore transparency and accountability, and a climate professional could investigate the implications of AI-based environmental decision-making.

Commitment Required from Fellows

Applicants should be prepared to commit approximately five hours per week during the fellowship.

This includes participation in:

• Weekly live sessions
• Readings
• Discussions
• Collaborative work
• Development of the governance policy brief

Because the fellowship runs from 21 October to 15 December 2026, applicants should consider their other academic, professional and personal commitments before applying.

Fellowship Dates and Application Deadline

Applicants should take note of the following important dates:

Activity	Date
Onboarding	20 October 2026
Fellowship programme	21 October–15 December 2026
Application deadline	16 October 2026, 11:59 PM GMT

Applications should be submitted before the stated deadline.

How to Prepare a Strong Application

Applicants can strengthen their application by clearly connecting their background and interests to the themes of the fellowship.

When preparing an application, consider the following:

1. Explain your motivation clearly.
   Describe why AI, climate governance, technology policy or ethics interests you.
2. Connect your experience to the programme.
   Highlight relevant academic, professional, research, advocacy, journalism, environmental, technology or policy experience.
3. Demonstrate analytical thinking.
   Show that you can examine complex issues from different perspectives rather than simply describing a problem.
4. Show an African perspective.
   Explain how the issues you are interested in relate to African countries, institutions, communities or sectors.
5. Think about a potential policy challenge.
   Since fellows will develop a governance policy brief, having an area of interest in mind can help demonstrate your engagement with the programme.
6. Demonstrate your ability to contribute to a cohort.
   Think about the knowledge, experience and perspectives you could bring to discussions with other fellows.
7. Be realistic about your availability.
   The programme requires approximately five hours of engagement each week, so applicants should ensure they can participate consistently.

Application Information

The application is being conducted through a Google Form.

Applicants should carefully review the application form and provide the requested information before submitting their application.

The application deadline is:

16 October 2026 at 11:59 PM GMT

Prospective applicants should avoid waiting until the final hours to submit their applications in case they experience connectivity, technical or submission issues.

Conclusion

The AI, Ethics and Climate Governance Fellowship 2026 offers an opportunity for emerging African researchers, professionals, advocates, journalists, students and policy thinkers to examine some of the most important questions emerging at the intersection of artificial intelligence and climate action.

Through eight weeks of online learning, discussions, readings and collaborative work, fellows will explore topics including AI ethics, climate justice, data governance, algorithmic bias, consent, technology and power, African and international AI governance frameworks, frontier climate technologies, carbon dioxide removal, solar radiation modification and responsible innovation.

The programme also provides participants with practical experience developing a 1,500–2,000-word governance policy brief addressing a real policy or governance challenge in an African country, sector or discipline. Outstanding briefs may be published by ECF and YARA, while successful participants will receive a certificate and join the ECF–YARA alumni network.

With approximately 25 fellows expected to be selected from across Africa, the fellowship is designed to create a diverse cohort capable of contributing African perspectives to conversations about the governance of technologies that may influence the continent’s climate future.

Interested applicants should prepare their applications and submit them before the 16 October 2026, 11:59 PM GMT deadline.

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