[#TIOF] TU Fellowship IETF 125
About
The IO Foundation, is seeking passionate and dedicated individuals to join our cohort of Fellows for the upcoming Internet Engineering Task Force meeting (IETF 125), to be held in Shenzhen (China) from 14th to 20th March 2026.
NOTICE
Please note that the [#TIOF] TU Fellowship IETF 2026 will run on slightly different dates than IETF 125.
Check the Timeline below for more details.
IETF meetings are a major, week-long gathering of Internet experts that happens three times a year, where volunteers from around the world collaborate in technical working groups to develop and advance open internet standards (RFCs) that keep the Internet running and improving. These meetings include intense technical sessions, a hackathon, training for new participants and opportunities for new members to learn, with a focus on rough consensus and running code to build the Internet's technical foundation.
The Fellowship will include:
Four preparation sessions (see Timeline)
A Training Bytes session: [#TIOF] Training Bytes 2026-03-13 SHENZHEN
Attendance at the IETF 125 Hackathon and Meeting, which will be conducted from Saturday 14th to Friday 20th March 2026.
Why join this Fellowship?
TIOF Fellows represent The IO Foundation on an international stage while contributing to advancing the Data-Centric Digital Rights (DCDR) advocacy by actively engaging in Standards Developing Organizations (SDOs) with their communities and the technical standards they produce.
As a Fellow, you'll be a member of a growing network of technologists working towards ensuring that technology protects citizens by design.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
EXTENDED TO THURSDAY, 29TH JANUARY 2026 - 23:59 (UTC+00)
MONDAY, 25TH JANUARY 2026 - 23:59 (UTC+00)
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Open to full-time Bachelor's and Post-Grad students as well as Lecturers and Researchers in multidisciplinary fields who have an interest in areas such as Standards, Networking, Protocols, Cyber Security, etc.
Note that proof of student status will need to be submitted
Contact Us for more info:
Email: [email protected]​
​Telegram: @TIOFContact
Who will you meet
Participating in this Fellowship will grant you the opportunity to being trained and guided in your career development by prominent figures in the IETF and the broader Standards Development Organizations ecosystem.
Olaf Kolkman
Principal - Internet Technology, Policy, and Advocacy
Internet Society
Jean F. Queralt
Founder & CEO
The IO Foundation
Irena Gunawan
Associate
The IO Foundation
Pavel Farhan
Associate
The IO Foundation
Yug Desai
Associate
The IO Foundation
MORE TO COME!
Terms of Reference
Applicants must understand and abide by the following:
Requirements
CLARIFICATION
You do not need to live in Shenzhen or be a resident of China, you need to be in China during:
Training Bytes: Friday 13th March 2026 (and all the Preparation Sessions, see Timeline)
IETF Hackathon: Saturday 14th + Sunday 15th March 2026
IETF Meeting: Monday 16th to Friday 20th March 2026
English fluent both oral and written
Fluent level of local official languages is a plus.
Responsibilities
By becoming a Fellow you commit to the following responsibilities:
Preparation Sessions (see Timeline)
Daily check-ins with the cohort
Benefits
By participating in this Fellowship, you will enjoy the following benefits:
What is covered
The following items are covered in this Fellowship:
Fellowship costs
TIOF will cover this cost in full.
Training Bytes ticket
TIOF will cover this cost in full.
Event ticket
TIOF will cover this cost in full for students. NOTE: TIOF will cover this cost for non-students subject to securing funding.
Transportation
NOTE: For fully sponsored, Fellows TIOF will facilitate a package through an agent.
Accommodation
NOTE: For fully sponsored, Fellows TIOF will facilitate a package through an agent.
F&B
Fellows will benefit of F&B as provided by the event and complemented with a stipend.
Per diem
This Fellowship does not include per diem.
Visa
This Fellowship may involve visas depending on your passport. NOTE: TIOF will facilitate a package through an agent.
Others
This list may be updated as necessary.
Timeline
10/01/2026: Launching session & opening of applications
Submit your interest! Make sure to read the Requirements and understand the Responsibilities.
25/01/26: Closing of applications
Applications will not be accepted beyond this date (UTC + 00).
29/01/26: Closing of applications (Extended Deadline)
Applications will not be accepted beyond this date (UTC + 00).
02/02/26: Announcement of the cohort
TIOF will announce the final list of the cohort.
13/02/26: Preparation session #1
The cohort will gather for a session under a hybrid modality
Onsite (Universitas Multimedia Nusantara)
Online
This first session will serve as a general orientation to the Fellowship (2h)
21/02/26: Preparation session #2
The cohort will gather online to prepare for the IETF 125 (2h).
28/02/26: Preparation session #3
The cohort will gather online to prepare for the IETF 125 (2h).
07/03/26: Preparation session #4
The cohort will gather online to prepare for the IETF 125 (2h).
13/03/26: Training Bytes
The cohort will gather for a Training Bytes session at Shenzhen (exact location TBA).
14/03/2026 to 20/03/2026: IETF 125
Participate in the event with the full support of the TIOF team onsite.
25/03/26: Submission of Assignment
Submit your Fellowship Report for evaluation.
28/03/26: Review call
The cohort will meet for an online session where we will discuss feedback and explore next steps and opportunities.
02/04/2026: Issuing of digital certificates
Fellows who have successfully completed the Fellowship Requirements will receive a digital certificate as a proof of completion.
Cohort
The list of awardees for this cohort will be announced here after the selection process has taken place.
Acknowledgements
The IO Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to our Sponsors and valued Partners, whose unwavering support makes this fellowship possible.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Support Fellows
Would you like to support technologists in their career towards protecting users?
Support The IO Foundation
Would you like to support The IO Foundation in its advocacy towards a Rights-by-Design digital ecosystem?
Share this opportunity
Media
Media taken during the Fellowship will be posted here.
Resources
Presentation Slides
A must-watch short video on how the importance of data, how companies decide to extract it and (most importantly) what they decide to do with it.
Learn how to participate in ICANN Policy Development Processes (PDPs)
Information to participate on a KSK Ceremony.
Frequently Asked Questions
Attributions
Photos by
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