Deadline: January 20, 2026
The ICDE Fellowship Program 2026–2027 is now open for applications, offering a unique global research opportunity for scholars and practitioners working at the intersection of digital technologies, cooperatives, labour, and the solidarity economy.
The ICDE Fellowship Program 2026–2027 is hosted by the Institute for the Cooperative Digital Economy (ICDE) at The New School and is designed to support rigorous, empirically grounded research that advances knowledge, practice, and policy in the cooperative digital economy.
Overview of the ICDE Fellowship Program 2026–2027
The fellowship is a non-residential, international research programme that brings together a cohort of researchers examining how cooperatives, unions, and solidarity-economy organisations engage with digital systems such as platforms, artificial intelligence, data infrastructures, and algorithmic management.
The programme places strong emphasis on comparative, interdisciplinary, and practice-engaged research that contributes to both academic debates and real-world organisational and policy outcomes.
Fellowship Focus Areas
Research proposals should be clearly grounded in real-world contexts and may focus on, but are not limited to:
- Platform cooperatives and digital labour
- Cooperative governance in digital environments
- Data ownership, data governance, and digital commons
- Artificial intelligence and algorithmic management in cooperatives
- Digital infrastructures supporting the solidarity economy
- Trade unions, worker organisations, and technology
- Public policy and regulation of cooperative digital economies
Projects are expected to demonstrate relevance to cooperatives, unions, or solidarity-economy organisations and show potential for meaningful public engagement.
Who Can Apply
The ICDE Fellowship Program 2026–2027 is open to applicants from all regions of the world. Eligible applicants include:
- PhD candidates
- Post-doctoral researchers
- Junior and early-career faculty
- Experienced practitioners with strong research backgrounds
- Collaborative or paired applicants proposing aligned research projects
Applicants should demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research, collaborate with a cohort, and contribute to shared learning and outputs.
Fellowship Structure and Format
- Non-Residential Programme: Fellows participate remotely throughout the fellowship year.
- Cohort-Based Model: Fellows engage in collective discussions, feedback sessions, and research exchanges.
- Public-Facing Outputs: In addition to academic research, fellows are expected to produce outputs such as blog posts, policy briefs, workshops, or practical resources for cooperatives and allied organisations.
In-Person Conference Requirement
All fellows are required to attend and present their research at the Platform Cooperativism Consortium (PCC) Conference, scheduled to take place from 12–15 November 2026 at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Attendance at the conference is a core component of the fellowship and provides opportunities for networking, feedback, and public engagement.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows will receive:
- Mentorship and academic guidance from ICDE faculty and senior researchers
- Access to a global network of scholars, cooperatives, unions, and policymakers
- Opportunities for collaboration, publication, and knowledge exchange
- Financial support covering conference-related travel and accommodation costs
Please note that fellows are responsible for securing their own visas.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following materials:
- A curriculum vitae (maximum of four pages)
- A 1–2 page research proposal outlining the research question, methods, timeline, and relevance to the cooperative digital economy
- One writing sample demonstrating prior research or analytical work
- Contact details for two academic or professional referees
Applications are submitted through an online application form.
Application Deadline
All applications for the ICDE Fellowship Program 2026–2027 must be submitted by:
20 January 2026 at 11:59 pm (Eastern Time)
Late applications will not be considered.
Why Apply for the ICDE Fellowship Program 2026–2027
This fellowship offers a valuable opportunity to:
- Advance research on cooperative and solidarity-based digital economies
- Engage with a global, interdisciplinary research community
- Influence organisational practice and public policy
- Produce research that bridges academic insight and real-world impact
Proposal Support
Need help with your application?
Contact us for proposal drafting, refining, and review to strengthen your research idea and improve your chances of success.
