NetMission Academy 2027 for Asia-Pacific Youth [Free Online Programme]: Apply by Nov 10

NetMission.Asia is inviting young people aged 35 or below from across the Asia-Pacific to apply for NetMission Academy 2027. The free online programme introduces participants to internet governance, artificial intelligence and digital-policy issues through expert sessions, peer discussions and a collaborative group project.

Click here to apply for NetMission Academy 2027.

About NetMission.Asia

NetMission.Asia is a youth-led initiative that equips young people across the Asia-Pacific with the knowledge and skills needed to participate in internet governance and digital policymaking.

Since 2009, it has engaged young people in discussions concerning digital rights, internet infrastructure, cybersecurity, emerging technologies and the future of the internet.

About NetMission Academy

NetMission Academy is an online capacity-building programme for young people interested in internet governance and digital policy.

Fellows attend sessions with practitioners and subject experts, exchange perspectives with peers from different Asia-Pacific economies and work in small groups on a research project.

Graduates become NetMission Ambassadors and join a wider community of youth advocates working on internet-governance issues.

Programme Highlights

Organiser: NetMission.Asia
Programme: NetMission Academy 2027
Format: Online
Programme fee: Free
Duration: Eight active programme weeks
Overall schedule: November 28, 2026 to February 11, 2027, including scheduled breaks
Theme: AI and the Internet
Language: English
Age limit: 35 years or below
Eligible region: Asia-Pacific
Application deadline: November 10, 2026

What Will Participants Learn?

The programme begins with foundational sessions on:

Internet Governance 101
The multistakeholder internet-governance model
Institutions and stakeholders governing the internet
The Internet Governance Forum
ICANN policies
Domain Name System policies and DNS abuse
New generic top-level domains

The 2027 thematic sessions will explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping existing internet-policy challenges.

Topics will include:

Digitised public life and AI-driven decisions
Digital rights, access and accountability
AI, trust and online safety
Cybersecurity and privacy
AI supply chains and infrastructure
Digital economy and inclusion

Group Project

Each fellow will join a small group supported by a peer mentor, referred to as a “buddy.”

Group members will research a real internet-governance or digital-policy issue and present their findings at the end of the programme.

The project allows participants to apply what they have learned to issues affecting their communities while collaborating with young people from other Asia-Pacific economies.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following conditions:

They must be 35 years of age or below on November 28, 2026.
They must be a national of an eligible Asia-Pacific economy and/or currently reside in the Asia-Pacific.
They should be able to participate in sessions conducted in English.
They must be willing to contribute actively to discussions and the group project.
They should be able to dedicate approximately two to four hours per week to the programme.

Indian citizens and people currently residing in India are eligible to apply.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are open to:

Undergraduate students
Postgraduate students
Doctoral candidates
Recent graduates
Working professionals
Entrepreneurs and freelancers
Applicants currently between professional roles
Other young people interested in internet governance and digital policy

Applicants do not need to belong to a technical or computer-science background.

While the programme is open to different categories of applicants, priority will be given to candidates currently enrolled in a tertiary educational institution.

Technical Requirements

Participants will need:

A stable internet connection.
A microphone and speakers or a headset.
A Google account, as groups coordinate through Google Chat.
A device capable of joining online sessions.

A working camera is recommended to support active participation, although the official page does not list it as a mandatory requirement.

Time Commitment and Attendance

Participants should expect to dedicate approximately two to four hours per week during the eight active programme weeks.

This includes:

Weekly full-cohort sessions.
Occasional subgroup meetings.
Reading or research work.
Participation in the final group project.

To graduate, fellows must achieve at least 70% attendance across the eight main sessions and at least three subgroup meetings. This means attending a minimum of eight out of the eleven counted sessions and participating actively in the group project.

Session Timings for Indian Participants

Main sessions will normally begin at 12:30 PM UTC, corresponding to 6:00 PM IST, and will last approximately one to one-and-a-half hours.

Subgroup meetings will generally be arranged within the Saturday window of 10:00 AM–1:00 PM UTC, corresponding to 3:30–6:30 PM IST. The precise subgroup time will be confirmed by the assigned peer mentor.

Benefits

Selected participants will receive:

Free training in internet governance and digital policy.
Opportunities to learn from practitioners and subject experts.
Peer mentorship through small working groups.
Experience researching and presenting a digital-policy issue.
Connections with young people from across the Asia-Pacific.
Recognition as a NetMission Academy graduate after fulfilling the programme requirements.
The opportunity to become a NetMission Ambassador.
Access to NetMission’s wider youth advocacy and research community.

Fellows who contribute actively may also be considered for sponsorship to attend regional or global internet-governance forums in person. Such sponsorship is conditional and is not guaranteed to every participant.

Application Requirements

The application form requests:

Personal and contact details.
Nationality and country of residence.
Age and time zone.
Current educational or professional status.
Field of study or work.
Highest educational qualification.
Responses to questions concerning internet and digital-policy issues.
Availability for a possible group interview.

Applicants must answer two principal questions of approximately 300 words each:

What internet or digital-technology issue concerns you most, and why?
What role should young people play in internet governance and policymaking, and how would NetMission Academy help you fulfil that role?

A referral from someone working in the internet-governance community is optional and is not required to apply.

Policy on the Use of AI

Applicants may use AI tools for limited assistance such as:

Checking grammar
Improving clarity
Translating responses into English

However, the ideas, opinions and reflections submitted in the application must belong to the applicant. Responses in which the underlying thinking is AI-generated will not be considered.

Click here to open the NetMission Academy 2027 application form.

Selection Process

The selection process includes:

Online Application

Candidates must complete and submit the application form by November 10, 2026.

Group Interview

Some applicants may be invited to a 40-minute online group interview. Interviews are scheduled during:

October 22–30, 2026
November 11–13, 2026

Receiving an interview invitation is not compulsory for selection. Offers may be issued to candidates whether or not they are interviewed.

Final Selection

Applications will be reviewed holistically, and offers will be made on a rolling basis. All applicants are expected to receive a decision by mid-November 2026.

Because selection is rolling and interviews begin before the final application deadline, candidates are advised to apply as early as possible.