Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) Non-Resident Fellows Program 2026

Deadline: September 18, 2026

Applications for the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) Non-Resident Fellows Program 2026 are now open. The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT)’s Non-Resident Fellows (NRF) Program brings leading scholars and academics into direct engagement with CDT’s policy work. The program provides Fellows with opportunities to share their research and expertise with CDT staff, engage in policy discussions, and help inform the organization’s thinking on emerging technology and its impact on society. Fellows represent a diverse range of academic disciplines, institutions, and areas of expertise, reflecting the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of technology policy. From law and political science to computer science, sociology, economics, and beyond, NRFs bring perspectives that help CDT better understand the complex ways technology shapes — and is shaped by — their institutions, communities, and everyday lives. Through this engagement, the program seeks to bridge the gap between academic research and public-interest technology policy, creating meaningful opportunities for scholars and practitioners to learn from one another and translate research into actionable insights. Fellows also become part of a broader community of researchers and technology policy experts, providing opportunities to build relationships, exchange ideas, and collaborate on issues at the forefront of technology and democracy.

Benefits

At the start of their program, CDT conducts an orientation program that includes details on how Fellows work with CDT, how CDT promotes Fellows’ research, and how to participate in the tech policy process. CDT commits to providing regular updates on key tech and internet policy developments, engaging fellows in relevant working groups, and offering expert insights on Fellows’ research interests. All Fellows are invited to attend certain CDT-branded public events and webinars, including our Annual Dinner, Tech Prom, as guests of CDT. As a CDT Non-Resident Fellow, you’ll be an active part of our community, with invitations to events and programs over the course of the program. You’ll also engage directly with our experts. In turn, you will have the chance to provide feedback and suggestions to CDT, contributing to our work on developing trends and issues.

Eligibility

Qualified applicants commit to a two-year, nonresident engagement and must hold a full-time position at an academic institution. Candidates should have published impactful work in peer-reviewed academic venues and have experience working on tech policy issues relevant to CDT’s areas of work, with a particular emphasis on U.S. and EU developments. The program is not open to current students or post-doctoral researchers, and candidates ideally possess a terminal degree (Ph.D., J.D., etc.) or equivalent experience in their respective field of study.

Application

Send a full CV, a relevant writing sample and a cover letter, describing your interest in the position and your experience/qualifications for such work, by clicking the “apply for this position”. These materials should be compiled into one PDF or document for submission. For more information, visit CDT Non-Resident Fellows Program.