Call for Applications: DPI Journalism Fellowship for Eastern Africa

Call for Applications |

Date of Publication: 1 April 2025.

Application Deadline: 21 April 2025 – 18.00 East African Time.

The Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), in partnership with Co-Develop, invites applications for the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Journalism Fellowship for Eastern Africa.

This regional fellowship aims to build a new generation of journalists with the knowledge and skills to investigate and report on Digital Public Infrastructure and Digital Public Goods (DPGs). The fellowship is inspired by a similar Co-Develop-funded initiative implemented by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), which supported fellows to produce over 100 impactful stories that spurred public debate and influenced policy.

Through rigorous training, mentorship, and financial support, selected journalists will explore the promises, challenges, and lived experiences related to DPI across Eastern Africa.

What is Digital Public Infrastructure?

DPI refers to foundational digital systems and services that enable secure, inclusive, and efficient delivery of both public and private services. These include, among others:

• Digital ID systems.
• Instant and interoperable payment platforms.
• Open data platforms.
• Data exchange frameworks.
• e-Government systems.

Well-designed DPI holds transformative potential—but without public understanding and critical engagement, it can also deepen exclusion, surveillance, and limit adoption/uptake.

Fellowship Details

Duration: 6 months (June–December 2025).

Structure:

• June 2025: Virtual training workshops and editorial guidance.
• July 2025: Story development and mentoring.
• August 2025: In-person workshop in Nairobi, Kenya, peer learning, and advanced training.

Outputs: Each Fellow is expected to produce at least three high-quality, published stories on DPI or DPGs during the fellowship.

Benefits

• A grant of up to USD 1,500 to support story production.
• Access to reporting grants post-fellowship.
• Mentorship from senior journalists and digital policy experts.
• Certificate of Completion.
• Travel, accommodation, and incidental expenses for the in-person workshop.

Eligibility Criteria

The fellowship is open to journalists based in the following Eastern Africa countries:

Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Applicants must:

• Be a practicing journalist with at least three years of professional experience.
• Demonstrate strong interest or experience in reporting on digital technologies, governance, human rights, or development.
• Be proficient in English or French. 
• Be available to fully participate in the three-month fellowship and in post-fellowship activities.
• Be affiliated with a credible media outlet willing to support their reporting.

Selection Process

The selection will be based on merit and demonstrated interest in DPI-related reporting. The process includes:

• Initial application screening.
• Interviews with shortlisted candidates.
• Final selection by a panel of media and policy experts.
• Women and early-career journalists are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Applicants should complete this form by 21 April 2025.

For more information, please visit: https://cipesa.org or contact programmes@cipesa.org