The Institute for the Cooperative Digital Economy (ICDE) at The New School has officially opened its doors for the 2026-2027 Fellowship Program.
This global initiative seeks scholars eager to examine how unions, cooperatives, and solidarity-economy organizations are currently navigating the complexities of digital systems.
The program prioritizes research into artificial intelligence and data-intensive infrastructures, looking at how these technologies impact institutional and social contexts.
It serves as an interdisciplinary hub, inviting experts from fields as diverse as law, media studies, and the social sciences to test new frameworks for governance.
The fellowship emphasizes case-based inquiry, moving beyond theory to look at the concrete constraints and opportunities within the modern digital economy.
Benefits of the Digital Economy fellowship
Selected fellows will gain direct access to ICDE’s expansive global network of cooperators, policymakers, and senior scholars.
This community provides a vital platform for those looking to bridge the gap between academic research and practical, collective action.
Professional development is a core component, with participants receiving direct mentorship and feedback from ICDE faculty and senior researchers.
This guidance is designed to refine research questions and ensure outputs are theoretically robust and empirically grounded.
While fellows are responsible for securing their own visas, the program provides travel and accommodation support to attend the PCC Conference.
Additionally, fellows have unique opportunities to collaborate on research sprints, publications, and high-profile events.
Application requirement
The fellowship is primarily tailored for Ph.D. candidates, post-docs, and early-career faculty. However, the institute will also consider applicants with equivalent research experience who can demonstrate a strong record of applied or scholarly work.
A critical requirement is a demonstrated plan to engage with specific cooperatives, unions, or federations as part of the research process.
The committee is looking for candidates who can contribute to a collaborative cohort while answering questions grounded in real-world cases.
To apply, candidates must submit a CV (maximum 4 pages) and a writing sample that showcases their prior research capabilities. A 1–2 page research proposal is also required, which must clearly outline the research question, empirical focus, methodology, and timeline.
Deadline
Time is of the essence for aspiring fellows, as the application window is brief. All materials, including contact information for two professional references, must be submitted by January 20, 2026. Click here to apply. Explore more global calls on our Opportunities page
Summary not available at this time.
