Internet Society Opens Peering Fellowship 2026 to Build Internet Infrastructure Capacity Across Global South

The Internet Society opened applications on May 4, 2026 for its 2026 Peering Fellowship Programme — a fully funded six-month professional development initiative targeting 20 engineers and policymakers working in peering and interconnection across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America/Caribbean, and the Middle East. The fellowship equips professionals with the technical expertise to develop Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) and improve peering and routing infrastructure within their regions, directly reducing the cost of domestic internet traffic that currently routes expensively through Europe or the US. The program includes participation in three regional events: the Africa Peering and Interconnection Forum (AfPIF) in Kigali, Rwanda (August 2026); LACNIC/LACNOG in Mendoza, Argentina (October 2026); and Peering Asia in Osaka, Japan (November 2026). The Internet Society has trained over 200 peering professionals since the programme's inception, with fellows having contributed to establishing 30+ IXPs in underserved regions — each IXP typically lowering local broadband costs by 20–40% by keeping domestic traffic within the country rather than routing internationally.