2027 Tech Policy Press Fellowship Program: $10,000 Stipend
If you are a journalist, researcher, lawyer or public policy professional working on issues involving technology, democracy, digital rights, regulation or the impact of technology on society, the 2027 Tech Policy Press Fellowship Program is now accepting applications.
The year-long, part-time fellowship will support independent reporting and analysis on urgent questions at the intersection of technology and democracy. Each selected fellow will receive a $10,000 stipend, editorial guidance, access to an international cohort and opportunities to develop and showcase significant public-interest work.
About the Tech Policy Press Fellowship
Tech Policy Press is a nonprofit media and community venture focused on encouraging new ideas, debate and discussion at the intersection of technology and democracy.
The fellowship was launched in 2023 and has already supported 25 fellows from 11 countries across three cohorts. Previous fellows have worked on subjects including artificial intelligence governance, technology regulation, digital rights, and the relationship between state and corporate power.
For the 2027 cohort, Tech Policy Press is looking for people who can pursue independent reporting and analysis around urgent technology-and-democracy questions.
The fellowship is particularly interested in projects that bring attention to communities and regions that are often left out of global technology policy conversations. Applicants should have a clear area of focus and be able to explain how their work can help inform both the public and decision-makers.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows will receive:
- $10,000 stipend to support their work.
- A 12-month, part-time fellowship.
- Opportunity to work on a pressing or underreported issue for an entire year.
- Ongoing editorial guidance from Tech Policy Press.
- Regular feedback and exchange of ideas with an international cohort.
- Monthly sessions designed to support and strengthen fellows’ work.
- Access to an international network of current and former fellows.
- Learning opportunities provided by Tech Policy Press.
- Opportunity to develop and maintain a network of sources within their area of focus.
- Opportunity to develop a significant body of work by the end of the fellowship.
- Publication of fellows’ work on the Tech Policy Press website.
- Featured promotion of fellows’ work through the Tech Policy Press newsletter.
- Fellowship projects may also be highlighted through the organisation’s podcast and special events during the year.
The stipend will be distributed quarterly.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is open to:
- Journalists
- Researchers
- Lawyers
- Public policy professionals
Applicants should be interested in exploring the intersection of technology and democracy and should have a demonstrated interest or background in tech policy, media or related fields.
Applicants must also be committed to producing high-quality, public-interest work during the fellowship.
Tech Policy Press particularly encourages applications from people in the Global Majority and underrepresented communities in media.
The fellowship is also open to international applicants, including candidates outside the United States who are not authorised to work in the USA.
Areas of Expertise and Projects
Applicants should have a strong background or expertise in at least one of the following broad areas:
- A specific technology policy area or issue
- A particular geographical area
- Technology and its impact on democracy
- Technology and its impact on society
The fellowship welcomes a broad range of contributions, from original reporting to policy analysis.
There is no specific geographic or thematic preference for applicants from the Global South. Applicants have discretion over how broadly or specifically they define the technology policy issue they want to investigate.
Fellows do not necessarily have to remain restricted to one topic throughout the year. Tech Policy Press encourages fellows to respond to relevant news events as they relate to their area of expertise.
Applicants whose main contributions are technical are also welcome to apply, provided they can demonstrate how their work fits within Tech Policy Press’s editorial scope.
Fellowship Expectations
This is a working fellowship, so successful applicants will have several responsibilities.
Fellows are expected to:
- Produce analysis or reporting at least once a month on issues related to technology and democracy.
- Clearly identify a topic they want to cover and explain why they are well suited to cover it. The topic may change after the fellowship begins.
- Attend a mandatory one-hour monthly cohort meeting.
- Attend a monthly check-in with the Tech Policy Press editorial team to assess progress and discuss next steps.
- Collaborate with other fellows and the Tech Policy Press masthead when appropriate.
- Meet agreed deadlines for their outputs.
- Disclose any potential conflicts of interest.
- Work remotely as independent contractors.
Monthly submissions are expected to be exclusive to Tech Policy Press, although fellows may republish them afterward.
Writing Samples and Published Work Requirements
Applicants are required to provide links to previous publications.
A qualifying published work must:
- Be publicly accessible online.
- Clearly identify the applicant as the author.
- Have been published within the past three years.
Acceptable examples include:
- Reported pieces
- Policy analyses
- Issue analyses
- Opinion articles
- Essays
- Podcasts
- Newsletters
- Data projects
Social media posts and unpublished material such as class assignments and dissertations will not be accepted.
Pre-print papers or research papers that have not been formally published also cannot be submitted.
Co-authored work is allowed, although Tech Policy Press recommends that applicants include at least one solo publication.
Translated work can also be submitted, but applicants must provide at least one submission written in English.
If a published article is behind a paywall, applicants must ensure that the pieces they submit are open access.
English Language Requirement
Applicants whose workplace automatically translates their articles into English using AI are not automatically excluded.
However, Tech Policy Press requires applicants to provide evidence of their own command of English.
Required Documents
Applicants must submit the following:
1. CV or Resume
A current curriculum vitae or resume outlining your professional and relevant experience.
2. Cover Letter
A cover letter of no more than two pages explaining what you hope to accomplish through the fellowship.
3. Previous Publications
Links to your previous published work that meet the fellowship’s requirements.
4. Two Professional References
Applicants must provide two professional references.
Tech Policy Press states that applications will be assessed only on the information required in the application form, so applicants should make sure the requested materials clearly communicate their experience and proposed area of work.
Information Sessions
Tech Policy Press will hold two online information sessions via Zoom for prospective applicants.
Registration is required, and applicants can choose either session:
- September 9, 2026 — 8:00 a.m. EDT
- September 16, 2026 — 7:00 p.m. EDT
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply is:
September 24, 2026
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EDT on the deadline date.
When Does the Fellowship Start?
The 2027 fellowship will:
- Begin: January 2027
- Duration: 12 months
- Format: Part-time
- Work arrangement: Remote, as an independent contractor
Tech Policy Press aims to notify applicants of their application status by early December 2026.
A selected group of applicants may also be invited for an online interview as part of the selection process.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should complete the official online application form before the deadline.
Before submitting, make sure you have your CV/resume, two-page-or-less cover letter, links to qualifying publications and two professional references ready.
Applicants should also carefully select their writing samples because the organisation will only consider work that meets its published requirements.
How Competitive Is the Fellowship?
This is a highly competitive opportunity.
Tech Policy Press states that it received more than 2,000 applications last year for only 8–10 fellowship places.
Because of the large number of applications, the organisation says the selection process involves difficult decisions.
Important Things Applicants Should Know
A few details on the official page are particularly important:
- International applicants are welcome and encouraged.
- You do not need to be authorised to work in the United States to apply.
- There is no disadvantage to being open to working across multiple formats.
- Applicants can respond to relevant news events within their area of expertise.
- There is no special geographic or thematic focus required for applicants from the Global South.
- Co-authored publications are accepted, but at least one solo publication is recommended.
- Translated publications are accepted, but at least one submitted work must be in English.
- Writing samples should be from the last three years.
- Pre-print and unpublished academic papers are not accepted.
- Paywalled samples must be made available as open access.
- Monthly fellowship submissions should be exclusive to Tech Policy Press, although they may be republished.
- Selected applicants may be invited for an online interview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Tech Policy Press Fellowship fully funded?
It is not described by Tech Policy Press as a fully funded scholarship. Instead, each fellow receives a $10,000 stipend to support their work during the year-long fellowship.
Can applicants from Nigeria apply?
Yes. The fellowship is open to candidates around the world, and Tech Policy Press specifically encourages international applications.
Can someone outside the USA apply without US work authorisation?
Yes. The organisation explicitly states that the fellowship is open to candidates outside the United States who are not authorised to work in the USA.
Can technical professionals apply?
Yes. Applicants from different disciplines are welcome as long as they can demonstrate that their work aligns with Tech Policy Press’s editorial focus.
Can I submit a dissertation or class assignment as a writing sample?
No. Unpublished material, including class assignments and dissertations, is not considered. Pre-print papers and research papers that have not been formally published are also not accepted.
How recent should my published work be?
The writing samples should have been published within the past three years.
Can I submit a co-authored article?
Yes. Co-authored publications are accepted, although Tech Policy Press recommends including at least one solo publication.
When will successful applicants be notified?
Tech Policy Press aims to notify applicants of their status by early December 2026.
Scholarships Expiring Soon
Conclusion
The 2027 Tech Policy Press Fellowship offers an opportunity for journalists, researchers, lawyers and public policy professionals to spend a year investigating and reporting on important questions surrounding technology and democracy.
The combination of a $10,000 stipend, editorial mentorship, international peer network, publication opportunities and a year to develop substantial public-interest work makes it particularly relevant for professionals already building a career around technology policy, journalism, governance or related fields.
If you have relevant published work and a strong idea for an issue you want to investigate, prepare your application early.
Application deadline: September 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
Official application:
Questions: fellows@techpolicy.press
