Global Majority AI Fellowship

Call for Applications

Global Majority AI Fellowship

at the United Nations Global Dialogue on AI Governance

July 6-7, Geneva Switzerland

Application Deadline: Rolling

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.

The Global Dialogue will include a focus on the following proposed thematic clusters:

• AI opportunities and implications: social, economic, ethical, cultural, linguistic and technical dimensions
• Bridging AI divides: capacity-building, access and digital foundations
• Safe, secure and trustworthy AI: interoperability and compatibility of approaches
• Respecting, protecting and promoting human rights: transparency, accountability and human oversight

Our fellowship aims to support Global Majority experts to be part of these critical discussions, provide space, access and experience in the realm of international AI governance, and connect stakeholders. Fellows will have the opportunity to provide input on issues of core relevance to the global green movement, including human rights, bias, ecology, labor, conflict. It will aim to improve the gender balance in global AI governance.

FELLOWSHIP OBJECTIVES

• To support greater Global South participation in the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance, ensuring that civil society voices from underrepresented regions help shape the emerging multilateral AI governance framework from its inception;
• To provide a learning and networking experience for emerging and experienced leaders working on AI governance, digital rights, environmental justice, and related fields. As a result, participants will be better able to pursue their policy and advocacy aims and tap into a global network of like-minded change-makers;
• To serve as a mechanism through which civil society leaders can identify issues that require further debate and advocacy, and where exchange between relevant actors can be facilitated.

WHAT IS EXPECTED

• Travel to Geneva and participate at the 2026 Global Dialogue on AI Governance: All candidates must be available to travel to Geneva and participate in the Global Dialogue from July 6-7, 2026. They may will also be encouraged to participate in activities ahead of the next Global Dialogue meeting in New York in 2027.
• Engage in discussions: Once selected, fellows will be asked to provide a short statement outlining what issues they hope to see addressed at the Global Dialogue and will be asked to reflect on their experience.
• Active social media engagement: In the lead-up to, during, and after the Global Dialogue, participants are expected to actively engage with the Heinrich Böll Foundation over social media channels to report on their experiences.
• Be part of a new network: Candidates will be early leaders in a new network of civil society experts seeking to strengthen AI governance globally.

WHAT WE OFFER

• 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.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Please read the instructions carefully.

We 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: We are seeking candidates based in countries receiving Official Development Assistance.

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 Drew.Mitnick[at]us.boell.org and Mariama.Balde[at]us.boell.org.

Applications materials sent to the Heinrich Böll Foundation Washington, DC should consist of:

• Resume: Please use a standard resume or CV format. We recommend a maximum of 2 pages and not including a picture or marital status. Please include your country of residence and gender.
• Motivational statement: Please 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?