The KAS Youth4Policy Innovation Fellowship 2026
Applications open from the 20th of July to the 7th of August 2026 EAT
Apply here!
About the KAS Youth4Policy Innovation Fellowship
The KAS Youth4Policy Innovation Fellowship is an immersive programme that equips young professionals with the skills and knowledge to develop innovation policies. Eight fellows will receive training in policy formulation and implementation, be paired with mentors from the field, and tasked with producing a policy brief that proposes solutions to a policy problem.
This year, fellows will work on real policy problems currently facing Uganda’s innovation ecosystem, presented to them as “policy challenges.” Fellows will be divided into two teams of four, with each team assigned a distinct challenge to research and translate into a policy brief. The finalized policy briefs will be officially presented to the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance (MoICT & NG) and the Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation, Office of the President (STI-OP) for consideration.
The 2026 fellowship will run from the 18th of September 2026 to the 8th of October 2026. Some sessions will be physical, while others will take place online.
Application deadline: 7 August 2026
For any inquiries, please reach out to us: jcn@ktaadvocates.com
Programme Structure
Phase 1: In-person
Friday, 18 September–Sunday, 20 September 2026
Fellows will receive training in the foundations of public policy, innovation policy, policy research and analysis, and writing policy briefs. They will also be placed into teams and introduced to their assigned policy challenges.
Phase 2: Policy Brief Development
Tuesday, 22 September–Thursday, 1 October 2026
Fellows will receive specialised training in artificial intelligence and science, technology and innovation policy. Working in teams, they will conduct research on their assigned challenges and develop policy briefs setting out their recommendations.
Phase 3: Demo Day and Finalisation (In Person)
2nd October to 8th October
Each team will present its recommendations to a panel of subject-matter experts and policymakers. The panel will assess the relevance and feasibility of the proposed recommendations and provide feedback to guide the final revisions. Fellows will have until 8 October 2026 to refine and submit their policy briefs. The final briefs will be published and formally submitted to the Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation in the Office of the President and the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance. Fellows will be credited as co-authors.
The Fellowship Journey
20 July 2026
Applications open
7 August 2026
Application deadline
10–14 August 2026
Application review
24–28 August 2026
Interviews
31 August–4 September 2026
Onboarding of selected fellows
7–17 September 2026
Pre-programme preparation
18–20 September 2026
Residential weekend
22 September–1 October 2026
Policy brief development
2 October 2026
Demo Day
8 October 2026
Submission of final policy briefs
Who can Apply?
Applicants must:
- Be between 22 - 35 years;
- Hold a bachelor’s degree;
- Demonstrate an interest in policy, governance, technology, or innovation;
- Be available for the full fellowship period; and
- Be based in Uganda
How to Apply?
- Complete the online application form.
- As part of your application, you will be required to:
- Upload a CV of no more than two pages;
- Respond to a few questions
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many fellows will be selected?
- A maximum of eight fellows will be selected and divided into two teams of four.
- Is the fellowship conducted in person or online?
- The programme uses a blended format. The residential weekend and Demo Day will be conducted in person, while several research, training and mentorship sessions will take place virtually.
- Do I need to have experience in policy?
- Formal policy experience is not required. However, applicants must demonstrate a clear interest in policy, governance, technology or innovation through their professional experience, academic work, research or previous engagements.
- What will the teams produce?
- Each team will produce an eight-page policy brief and deliver a ten-minute presentation of its recommendations on Demo Day.
- Will the policy briefs be published?
- Yes. The final briefs will be published and formally submitted to the relevant government institutions. Fellows will be credited as co-authors.
- Do I need to be available throughout the programme?
- Yes. Applicants must be available for the full fellowship period and must participate in all required in-person and virtual sessions.
- Will shortlisted applicants be interviewed?
- Yes. Applicants who proceed beyond the initial review stage will be invited to an interview with the selection panel.
- How can I ask questions about the programme?
- For any inquiries, please reach out to us: jcn@ktaadvocates.com.