Deadline: June 15, 2019
The Yoti Fellowship Programme is now open. Applications are invited from individuals interested in helping unlock the potential of digital identities with a particular focus on local, grassroots issues. In return, Fellows will be offered generous financial and logistical support, expenses and a chance to have their findings shared with the wider world.
Through a global competitive process, each year Yoti invites applications for three 12-month Fellowships aimed at scholars, practitioners, journalists, technologists, social changemakers, policy makers and other public intellectuals interested in tackling an identity, or digital identity, challenge or issue within their country or community. Fellows conduct research, or develop solutions or policy recommendations, while interacting with other Fellows, Yoti staff and other members of the wider global digital identity community.
They invite proposals for research, media or policy development, or solutions development. These proposals need to be based on three or four key themes related to identity or digital identity which merit further exposure, discussion, development or research. Outputs from the Fellow’s activities can be anything from a technical platform, a report, a website, a book, a policy paper, a film or any other medium relevant to the proposal.
Thematic areas
They are primarily interested in issues, challenges and opportunities for digital identity in a local context. More specifically, we invite applications which focus on any of the following thematic areas.
- Unlocking the challenges of providing and managing identity solutions among refugee, migrant, marginalised or economically exploited communities or individuals.
- Studying the difficulties experienced by indigenous communities in establishing and proving identity, as well as claiming any state benefits they may be eligible for.
- Unpicking what ‘digital identity’ and identity more broadly means to communities in developing countries (including those living in or close to the last mile) and the NGOs and local organisations providing services to them.
- Any other issues which warrant investigation which are not yet part of the wider digital identity debate.
Benefits
- Fellows will be supported with a generous payment of £30,000 (approximately US$38,000) paid in equal installments over the course of the year, and receive logistical and technical support from Yoti.
- A small budget for project travel and other expenses up to a maximum of £5,000 will also be available.
- All work produced will be made publicly and freely available on completion of the Fellowship.
Eligibility
Open to scholars, practitioners, journalists, technologists, social changemakers, policy makers and other public intellectuals interested in tackling an identity, or digital identity, challenge or issue within their country or community.
- Applicants may be based anywhere, although preference will be given to those from the developing world.
- Applicants will carry out their Fellowships from their home countries. However, holding a passport – or being able to get one if needed – would be an advantage in case you need to travel.
- Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential. You must also produce any written materials in English.
- Applicants must be able to provide evidence that they can deliver on their Fellowship proposal, either through a strong CV and / or links to previous (related) work.
- Applicants must be able to provide at least one reference – ideally two – from a qualified person such as a teacher, professor or former employer confirming that, in their opinion, the Fellow is able to carry out the activities proposed.
- The proposal must fit in with one or more of the thematic areas of the Fellowship Programme. Ideally, Fellows should be able to demonstrate a strong connection to the problem, opportunity or issue their proposal addresses.
- Applicants must have a bank account that can accept their quarterly payments using electronic transfer.
- Applicants must be able to work full time on their Fellowship over the course of the year.
You are not eligible to apply if:
- You are working on a degree or any other Fellowship or award programme.
- You have a full-time or part-time job and have not received permission from your employer to take a year off (through a sabbatical, for example), or who – for any other reason – are unable to commit to the Fellowship for the full year.
- You have no kind of online presence which might make it hard for them to evaluate your ability to deliver on your proposal, and to verify your credentials.
A selection panel made up of digital identity, technology, social scientists, activists and other experts will decide on the successful applicants.
Requirements
- You must develop and deliver the work set out in your proposal within 12 months.
- You will share your progress through quarterly updates.
- On completion of your Fellowship you will present your final research (or other deliverable) to Yoti, either remotely or in person. If they request you to come to their London or India office Yoti will cover your travel costs.
- You must work full time on your Fellowship and may not accept any other assignment, job or major activity during the 12 months.
- You must notify Yoti if or when you receive or are offered other sources of support, including other grants or Fellowships.
- Yoti’s Fellowship offer is subject to you agreeing and signing our Award letter following the offer, which states all of the terms and conditions set out in this application pack.
Application
Applications can be submitted between now and 15 June, 2019. Applicants will be notified of the outcome on a rolling basis but no later than 15 July, 2019. The three successful applicants will be able to start their Fellowships shortly after the closing date.
A short concept note will be required along with a current CV and the names of at least one referee. This is so they can be confident that the Fellow is qualified and able to deliver on their proposal.
You can find the full terms and conditions and other Programme details in our application pack here. You can send any questions to the team at [email protected] with the subject ‘Yoti Fellowship Programme’.
For more information, visit Yoti Fellowship.
