This initiative seeks to strategically align higher education institutions with ISOC and ICANN to expand access, foster innovation, and strengthen capacity building in Internet governance, digital inclusion, and emerging technologies. It promotes meaningful engagement of students, faculty, and academic leaders through structured collaboration, applied research, and experiential learning opportunities linked to real-world Internet policy and technical coordination processes.
A key pillar of this alignment is the integration of Fellowship and Grant opportunities, supporting participation in ISOC and ICANN fellowship programs, seed funding for academic research and curriculum development, and grants for pilot projects that connect teaching, research, and community impact. By bridging academia with the global Internet governance ecosystem, the initiative aims to broaden participation from underrepresented regions, encourage interdisciplinary innovation, and cultivate a sustainable pipeline of future Internet leaders and practitioners.