OpenMedia Summer Fellowship 2026:
Next-Gen Policy Changemakers Wanted!

Are you ready to turn your digital rights research into real-world impact?

OpenMedia is looking for six passionate changemakers to join our Summer Fellowship 2026 cohort. It’s a three-month deep dive into the heart of digital rights, advocacy, and community power.

The Internet is at a crossroads. From AI-driven job displacement to the ways AI is reshaping truth and trust, the next-gen perspective is the missing piece in Canada's digital policy landscape. We don’t just want you to watch the digital world change—we want you to help lead it.

We’re looking for next-gen changemakers based in Canada who are ready to build a more democratic digital future. Whether you are a student, a recent grad, or an emerging advocate, if you have a vision for Canada’s AI future, we want to hear from you.

Apply before April 19, 2026 (Sunday)

Fill out the form below to get started.

⚠️ Note: This form does not autosave. We recommend drafting your answers in a separate doc and pasting them here when you’re ready!

Part 1: Basic Information

First Name

Last Name

Your Email

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Part 2: Experience & Background

Show us the ‘toolkit’ you’ve built and the future you’re aiming for.

What are you currently up to?

Briefly tell us about the education or work that prepared you for this fellowship. (max. 250 words)

What are the top 2-3 skills you’re bringing to this fellowship? Describe a specific project where you applied them to solve a problem or share an idea. (max. 250 words)

What professional future are you working toward, and what’s the most important piece of guidance you need right now to get there? (max. 200 words)

Link to your portfolio or Linkedin profile (optional)

Part 3: Your Project & Policy Impact

We want your fellowship project to provide the 'next-gen' insights Canada needs in its national policies. Tell us how your vision translates into advocacy for a more democratic Internet.

What AI or digital rights topic do you want to explore? Why is this a "sleeping giant" for Canadian policy? (max. 250 words)

How do you see your project help fight for a better Internet for Canadians? (max. 200 words)

How would you engage our network of 230,000+ people across Canada (or your own community) to bring your research to life? (max. 200 words)

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The Mission

We are looking for six fellows to work in collaborative pairs. Each pair will co-lead a project that helps Canada understand the challenges and opportunities of our AI-driven future across these core tracks:

The Future of Labour: How is AI reshaping the workforce, and what does a fair and inclusive future look like for the next generation of Canadian workers?
The Chatbot Challenge: From misinformation and deepfakes to algorithmic bias and AI-enabled manipulation. How do we navigate truth, trust, and accountability in an age of generative AI?
Digital Democracy: How can we keep the Internet surveillance-free and keeps democratic participation free and fair for all Canadians?

What You’ll Get

Direct Impact: Access to our 230,000+ member community to run surveys, host dialogues, and share your findings.
Expert Mentorship: We’ll match you with an industry mentor to help guide your project and your career path.
Real-World Experience: Join weekly "work-in-progress" calls with the OpenMedia team to see how a major civic engagement platform operates from the inside.
A National Platform: Publish blog posts, research papers, and outreach campaigns that reach thousands.

Key Timeline

Applications Open: March 23, 2026 (Monday) to April 19, 2026 (Sunday)
Interviews: May 2026
Results Announced: Late May 2026
The Fellowship: June – August 2026

Questions?

Please note that this fellowship is designed to empower emerging next-gen leaders based in Canada. To ensure we are building local capacity and influencing Canadian policy, please keep the following in mind:

Residency: Only applications from individuals currently based in Canada will be considered.
Applications: Please apply as an individual. Once the cohort is selected, we’ll work together to match you with a partner.
Priority: Selection will be prioritized for emerging changemakers and those early in their digital rights careers.

If you have any inquiries regarding your application, please reach out to us at [email protected].

Sharings From Interns

“Working with OpenMedia in 2022 was a truly formative experience. I had the opportunity to collaborate with an exceptional team on high-level initiatives related to ongoing policy issues and legislation. The breadth of experience strengthened my advocacy, and strategic thinking skills, and has been invaluable in my legal career.”
– Ali Aghaamoo (2022)

“Working with OpenMedia was an incredible experience that truly helped me bring my vision to life. The mentorship was excellent and clear, providing the perfect balance of guidance and autonomy. I appreciated the opportunity to oversee impactful work while contributing to a wide variety of projects. Their support was instrumental in my professional growth, making it a deeply rewarding environment for any aspiring advocate.”
– Rana Sarhan, JD law candidate in the University of Ottawa (2025)

OpenMedia Summer Fellowship 2026: Next-Gen Policy Changemakers Wanted!