Applications Open for Fully Funded Global Majority AI Fellowship 2026 in Switzerland

Professionals, researchers, students and advocates working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, digital rights and social justice can now apply for the Global Majority AI Fellowship 2026, a fully funded international programme that will take place in Geneva, Switzerland.

Organized by the Heinrich Böll Foundation, the fellowship will be held alongside the United Nations Global Dialogue on AI Governance on July 6–7, 2026. The programme seeks to amplify voices from developing nations and ensure broader representation in global conversations surrounding artificial intelligence governance, ethics and equitable innovation.

The three-day fellowship is designed to connect discussions taking place in Geneva with subsequent international policy engagements in New York, creating opportunities for participants to contribute to emerging global frameworks on AI governance.

Selected fellows will receive comprehensive financial support, including round-trip travel to Switzerland, airport transfers, accommodation for three nights and participation in all fellowship activities. Organizers have confirmed that there is no application fee.

The programme aims to bring together individuals working on issues related to artificial intelligence, technology policy, digital rights, data justice and responsible innovation. Participants will engage in workshops, mentorship sessions, collaborative discussions and networking opportunities with experts, policymakers and civil society representatives from around the world.

According to the organizers, the fellowship responds to the growing influence of artificial intelligence on economies, education systems, employment, governance and media. It seeks to ensure that perspectives from the Global Majority are included in critical debates on AI ethics, inclusion, public policy and technology governance.

The fellowship is open to both emerging and experienced leaders currently based in countries eligible for Official Development Assistance (ODA). Applicants may come from diverse professional backgrounds, including activism, research, public administration, technology, academia and civil society.

Eligible candidates should demonstrate a strong interest in areas such as AI governance, digital rights, environmental and climate justice, data governance or related policy fields. Organizers are particularly looking for applicants who can contribute perspectives on the global implications of artificial intelligence and its impact on communities in developing regions.

To apply, candidates must submit a résumé and a motivational statement outlining their experience, interests and reasons for seeking participation in the programme.

Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply early as places are expected to be highly competitive. The fellowship offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with international discussions shaping the future of artificial intelligence governance