Karachi, The Open Technology Fund (OTF) has launched the Information Controls Fellowship Program (ICFP), focusing on research and creative collaboration to combat Internet censorship and surveillance in repressive environments. This initiative aims to support global efforts in advancing Internet freedom, particularly in areas with stringent information controls.
According to Pak NGOs, the ICFP is designed to back researchers delving into how governments in specific regions are impeding the free flow of information, obstructing access to the open internet, and instituting censorship. The program emphasizes aiding individuals who are working on projects that directly benefit those living under oppressive censorship and surveillance regimes. It also seeks to support those with experience in or from communities in the Global South, and from repressive or underrepresented backgrounds.
The potential areas of focus for the fellowship include developing tools to monitor internet interference, investigating information controls and privacy in popular applications, leveraging open data for analysis, testing censorship circumvention methods, examining the impact of Internet censorship, researching emerging surveillance patterns, and studying the roles of machine learning and artificial intelligence in digital surveillance in repressive environments.
The fellowship offers a substantial monthly stipend of $7,000 USD, along with additional travel and equipment stipends, depending on the length of the fellowship contract, which can range from 3 to 12 months. Applicants from various backgrounds, including computer science, engineering, information security research, software development, social sciences, law, and data visualization, are encouraged to apply.
However, the fellowship stipulates certain conditions to avoid, such as focusing on countries with minimal information controls, working with an already affiliated host organization, engaging in unethical testing of end-user connections, and reverse engineering apps not used by state actors for mass surveillance or targeted attacks.
Eligibility for the fellowship is broad, welcoming individuals of all nationalities and backgrounds, with the exception of those from countries under U.S. trade restrictions or export sanctions. Applicants should demonstrate skill and a commitment to overcoming information controls, a desire for collaborative and cross-discipline growth, and a dedication to reaching audiences beyond the research community.