If your research lives at the intersection of technology, society, labor, and democratic governance, this is an opportunity worth pausing for. The Institute for the Cooperative Digital Economy (ICDE) at The New School has officially opened applications for its 2026–2027 Fellowship Program, inviting scholars worldwide to explore how cooperatives, unions, and solidarity-economy organizations are shaping digital systems, AI, and data-driven infrastructures.
This fellowship is designed for researchers who want their work to resonate beyond journals and directly inform policy, practice, and real-world digital economies.
What the Fellowship Brings to the Table?
This is not a symbolic title—it’s a year-long research partnership grounded in collaboration and global exchange.
- Structured mentorship from ICDE faculty, senior researchers, and an international cohort of fellows
- Access to ICDE’s global network of scholars, cooperatives, unions, policymakers, and practitioners
- Opportunities to collaborate on research sprints, public resources, events, and publications
- Travel and accommodation support to attend the Platform Cooperativism Consortium (PCC) Conference
- A flexible non-residential, remote-first fellowship model
A central feature of the program is mandatory in-person participation and presentation at the PCC Conference in Bangkok, Thailand (November 12–15, 2026), where fellows engage directly with global actors working on Solidarity AI and cooperative digital futures.
Who This Fellowship Is Designed For?
ICDE is seeking researchers who combine intellectual rigor with grounded, socially engaged inquiry.
- PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers
- Junior and early-career faculty members
- Applicants with equivalent academic or applied research experience
- Scholars proposing empirical, comparative, and interdisciplinary research
- Researchers engaging with cooperatives, unions, or solidarity-economy initiatives
- Individuals or collaborative applicants proposing aligned or joint research agendas
Strong applicants demonstrate a clear research question, real-world case engagement, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to a collaborative international cohort.
Apply: https://platform.coop/blog/open-call-for-applications-2026-2027/
The last date to apply for the ICDE Fellowship Program 2026–2027 is January 20, 2026 (11:59 pm ET).