Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) Non-Resident Fellows Program 2026

Applications are now open for the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) Non-Resident Fellows Program 2026. This prestigious two-year fellowship is designed for established academics and researchers who are interested in contributing their expertise to technology policy, digital rights, artificial intelligence, privacy, cybersecurity, democracy, and internet governance.

The Non-Resident Fellows Program creates a bridge between academic research and public-interest technology policy by connecting leading scholars with CDT's policy teams. Through this collaboration, fellows have the opportunity to share their research, provide expert insights, participate in policy discussions, and contribute to evidence-based solutions for emerging technology challenges.

As technology continues to shape societies around the world, policymakers increasingly rely on rigorous academic research to inform legislation and governance. The CDT Non-Resident Fellows Program enables researchers to transform scholarly work into practical policy recommendations while engaging with one of the world's leading organizations focused on digital rights and technology policy.

About the Fellowship

The Center for Democracy & Technology established the Non-Resident Fellows Program to strengthen collaboration between academia and the technology policy community. The programme recognizes that many of today's most pressing issues—including artificial intelligence governance, online privacy, cybersecurity, digital inclusion, platform accountability, and freedom of expression—require interdisciplinary expertise from researchers across multiple fields.

Throughout the two-year fellowship, participants remain affiliated with their home institutions while collaborating with CDT remotely. Fellows contribute their knowledge through policy consultations, presentations, collaborative research, workshops, and other activities that support CDT's mission.

Rather than serving as full-time employees, Non-Resident Fellows volunteer their expertise while becoming members of an international network of scholars and policy professionals. This flexible arrangement enables researchers to continue their academic careers while expanding the policy impact of their research.

The fellowship also encourages knowledge exchange between researchers and practitioners, helping ensure that technology policies are informed by the latest academic evidence while allowing scholars to better understand real-world policy challenges.

Fellowship Benefits

Successful applicants will receive numerous professional and academic benefits, including:

• Membership in CDT's international community of technology policy experts.
• Opportunities to engage directly with CDT researchers and policy specialists.
• Invitations to policy discussions, workshops, and special events.
• Opportunities to present research to policymakers and practitioners.
• Collaboration on emerging technology policy issues.
• Opportunities to contribute to CDT publications and thought leadership.
• Networking with scholars from diverse disciplines and institutions.
• Increased visibility for research with public policy relevance.
• Opportunities to influence discussions on digital rights, AI, privacy, and internet governance.

The fellowship focuses on professional collaboration and policy engagement rather than direct financial support, making it particularly valuable for researchers seeking to expand the real-world impact of their academic work.

Areas of Interest

CDT welcomes fellows whose research aligns with technology policy and digital governance. Relevant areas include:

• Artificial Intelligence.
• Digital Rights.
• Privacy and Data Protection.
• Cybersecurity.
• Internet Governance.
• Platform Accountability.
• Online Safety.
• Democracy and Technology.
• Human Rights in the Digital Age.
• Competition Policy.
• Digital Inclusion.
• Algorithmic Accountability.
• Technology Ethics.
• Emerging Technologies.
• Digital Regulation.

Researchers from interdisciplinary backgrounds are encouraged to apply, provided their work contributes to understanding the societal impacts of technology.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Hold a full-time position at an academic institution.
• Ideally possess a terminal degree such as a Ph.D., J.D., or an equivalent qualification or experience.
• Have published impactful work in peer-reviewed academic venues.
• Demonstrate expertise relevant to CDT's policy priorities.
• Have experience engaging with technology policy issues.
• Be willing to commit to a two-year non-resident engagement.

The programme is not open to current students or postdoctoral researchers. Applications are encouraged from scholars representing diverse academic disciplines and backgrounds.

Who Should Apply?

The fellowship is particularly suitable for:

• University professors.
• Academic researchers.
• Policy scholars.
• Legal academics.
• Computer scientists.
• Political scientists.
• Economists.
• Sociologists.
• Communication scholars.
• Human-computer interaction researchers.
• Media studies scholars.
• Researchers working on AI, digital governance, and public policy.

CDT values interdisciplinary perspectives and encourages applications from researchers whose work addresses the intersection of technology and society.

Fellowship Responsibilities

During the fellowship, participants may:

• Participate in policy strategy discussions.
• Present research findings to CDT staff.
• Contribute to CDT blogs or publications.
• Participate in conferences, webinars, and workshops.
• Provide expert feedback on policy reports and research.
• Collaborate on joint research initiatives.
• Support public engagement activities related to technology policy.

Over the two-year fellowship, participants are expected to complete at least two substantive contributions aligned with CDT's work, such as co-authoring a blog post, participating in a CDT event, or collaborating on a research or funding initiative.

Required Application Materials

Applicants must submit the following materials combined into a single PDF document:

• Full Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Relevant published writing sample.
• Cover letter describing:
  • Interest in the fellowship.
  • Relevant qualifications and experience.
  • Research expertise.
  • How the applicant's work aligns with CDT's mission and policy priorities.

Applications should be carefully prepared to demonstrate both academic excellence and the potential policy relevance of the applicant's research.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Academic achievements.
• Quality and impact of published research.
• Expertise in technology policy.
• Relevance of research to CDT's focus areas.
• Potential contribution to public-interest technology policy.
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines.
• Commitment to engaging with policymakers and practitioners.

The programme seeks scholars capable of translating rigorous academic research into practical policy insights that can inform public debates and decision-making.

How to Apply

To apply for the CDT Non-Resident Fellows Program 2026:

1. Review the fellowship objectives and eligibility requirements.
2. Prepare an updated Curriculum Vitae.
3. Select a relevant published writing sample.
4. Write a cover letter explaining your interest, qualifications, and alignment with CDT's work.
5. Combine all application materials into a single PDF document.
6. Submit your application through the official CDT application portal before the deadline.