AI, Ethics and Climate Governance Fellowship 2026: Apply for an Eight-Week Online Programme for Emerging African Researchers and Policy Thinkers.
Overview
The AI, Ethics and Climate Governance Fellowship 2026 is an eight-week online programme designed for emerging African professionals and researchers to examine the intersection of artificial intelligence, climate action, technology policy, and governance. Organised by Emerging Climate Frontiers and the Young Africans Research Academy, the inaugural fellowship selects a cohort of approximately 25 participants. The curriculum explores how frontier technologies are applied to climate modelling, energy systems, agriculture, early-warning systems, and environmental decision-making, while addressing associated risks such as algorithmic bias, data governance, climate justice, and global power relations. A core component of the programme involves developing an evidence-informed governance policy brief focused on a real challenge within an African country, sector, or discipline.
Who can apply
The programme is open to emerging African researchers, practitioners, advocates, journalists, policy professionals, and other early-career professionals with an interest in technology policy and climate action. Applicants must be available to participate throughout the programme period and commit approximately five hours each week to live sessions, readings, discussions, and collaborative work.
What you get
Participants join an online cohort of roughly 25 emerging leaders to explore African and international artificial intelligence governance frameworks, ethical considerations, and climate justice. The programme accommodates varying internet connectivity conditions by recording sessions and adapting learning materials, and culminates in the creation of a governance policy brief addressing an authentic policy challenge.
How to apply
Applicants must submit their applications by the specified deadline and ensure they have the required availability to meet the weekly time commitment of five hours over the duration of the programme.
Key dates
The application deadline is 16 October 2026 at 11:59 PM GMT. Onboarding takes place on 20 October 2026, and the main programme runs from 21 October to 15 December 2026.