Deadline: Rolling Basis
Applications are open for the Heinrich Böll Foundation Washington DC Global Majority AI Fellowship 2026. The Heinrich Böll Foundation Washington, DC is pleased to announce its Global Majority AI Fellowship, a new initiative to support civil society experts from the Global South to participate in the first session of the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping economies, societies, and daily life around the world, yet the few existing governance frameworks meant to guide its development remain overwhelmingly shaped by the domestic interests of a small number of nations and the corporations headquartered within them. The Global Dialogue on AI Governance (Global Dialogue) is a new multilateral, recurring forum established by the UN General Assembly in August 2025 fulfilling a commitment made in the Global Digital Compact. The purpose of the Global Dialogue is to ensure that AI governance reflects the priorities of all nations and that the benefits of AI are shared broadly. It will only be through effective civil society participation that the Global Dialogue will achieve those goals.
The first session takes place in Geneva from 6 – 7 July 2026, back-to-back with an ITU Summit and the WSIS Forum. A second session will follow in New York in May 2027. The fellowship aims to bridge the first meeting in Geneva with the second meeting in New York.
Benefits
- Travel Costs: The Heinrich Böll Foundation will cover the cost of international flights, transportation to and from airports, and up to three nights of accommodation in Geneva.
- Global Dialogue Registration: The Foundation will facilitate conference registration, accreditation, and access.
- Visibility and Platform: Before the Global Dialogue, selected fellows will be promoted on social media channels to create a visible online platform around their aims and to amplify important political messages related to the Global Dialogue.
Eligibility
- They seek candidates who are emerging or experienced leaders and experts working on AI governance, digital rights, data justice, environmental and climate justice, or related fields with a focus on the global dimensions of AI policy as activists, local officials, students, researchers, or technologists.
- Regional background: They are seeking candidates based in countries receiving Official Development Assistance.
Application
Applications materials sent to the Heinrich Böll Foundation Washington, DC should consist of:
- Resume: use a standard resume or CV format. They recommend a maximum of 2 pages and not including a picture or marital status. Include your country of residence and gender.
- Motivational statement: write a short (max 300 words) reflection on the biggest challenge you see for AI governance right now. How do you propose to address it and what are steps that you are currently taking? How will your participation at the Global Dialogue help you in advancing those goals?
The Heinrich Böll Foundation AI Fellows will be selected from those who both apply to the official UN AI Dialogue 2026 Call for Participation Support and send application materials to the Heinrich Böll Foundation Washington, DC via [email protected] and [email protected].
For more information, visit Global Majority AI Fellowship.
