Apply Today for the ARIN 56 Fellowship Program

By Amanda Gauldin – Project Manager

The call for applications to the ARIN 56 Fellowship Program is out! We are excited to once again welcome selected Fellows to our Public Policy and Members Meeting, this time taking place in Arlington, Texas, in late October.

For more than 15 years, the ARIN Fellowship Program has played a vital role in our community by broadening engagement and helping newcomers better understand the work we do at ARIN. For ARIN 56, Fellows will follow a customized learning program led by community experts and ARIN staff, designed to enhance their understanding of the complexities of ARIN and their role in Internet number resource policies.

In addition to attending the ARIN 56 meeting, Fellows will participate in virtual sessions leading up to it that will provide the opportunity for focused discussion, structured mentorship, and educational content.

Who should apply?

Are you part of the Internet community and want to:

• Gain a better understanding of Internet number resource policy and ARIN’s Policy Development Process (PDP)?
• Bring your voice to Internet governance by participating in ARIN meetings and policy discussions?
• Network with ARIN’s Board of Trustees, Advisory Council, staff, and community members from throughout the region?
• Learn more about ARIN’s operations and services?
• Develop professionally and enhance your career in the Internet industry?

If you answered “yes” to any of these, and you’re at least 18 years old and residing in the ARIN region, we encourage you to apply to the ARIN Fellowship Program. The Fellowship Selection Committee will select Fellows to participate in the program with either virtual or in-person attendance at the ARIN 56 meeting. We look forward to hearing from you, so be sure to get your application in by 24 July.

What does the program entail?

With the personal support of ARIN community member Mentors, Fellows participate in an engaging and approachable agenda of presentations, discussions, and Q&As with ARIN leadership — including ARIN staff and Advisory Council members. Virtual sessions feature:

• An introduction to ARIN’s services,
• An overview of Internet number resource policy and the ARIN PDP, and
• A review of key issues and policies on the docket for ARIN 56.

Fellows will have the opportunity to ask questions, get feedback, and gain the knowledge and confidence to join in community discussions, propose new ideas, and become part of the future of Internet governance and policy in the ARIN region. Following pre-meeting virtual sessions, Fellows will participate in the ARIN 56 Public Policy and Members Meeting, held 30-31 October 2025 in Arlington, Texas, and online. They will also have the option to attend the 95th gathering of the North American Network Operators’ Group (NANOG), held in the days preceding ARIN 56.

What is the time commitment?

Fellows will participate in virtual sessions before ARIN 56 and attend the meeting either virtually or in person in Arlington. Each virtual session runs up to 90 minutes. Additionally, presession recordings providing an introduction to ARIN and Internet number resource policy will be made available before the first virtual session.

• Session 1 | Tuesday, 30 September, 2:00 PM ET (Virtual)
  Welcome and program overview
• Session 2 | Tuesday, 7 October, 2:00 PM ET (Virtual)
  Introduction to the Policy Development Process and policies on the docket for ARIN 56
• Session 3 | Tuesday, 14 October, 2:00 PM ET (Virtual)
  Additional policy discussion and a summary of ARIN services
• ARIN 56 Meeting Orientation | Tuesday, 21 October, 2:00 PM ET (Virtual)
• NANOG 95 | 27-29 October
  Arlington, Texas
• ARIN 56 Public Policy and Members Meeting | 30-31 October
  Attendance required virtually or in person in Arlington, Texas
• Post-Meeting Review | Tuesday, 4 November, 2:00 PM ET (Virtual)

Session agendas and slides will be shared in advance, and, although no homework is assigned, Fellows should expect to spend a few hours outside the sessions reviewing materials to get the most out of the program.

What can you expect from this program?

Each Fellow will be paired with a Mentor for small group discussions and additional Q&A time. Along the way you will learn about the PDP, get to know other Fellows, ARIN staff, and ARIN leadership, and grow your confidence to participate in the ARIN 56 policy discussions and beyond.

“The ARIN Fellowship Program continues to be a great tool for community building and education,” Director of Customer Experience and Strategy Joe Westover says. “Each cycle we see how the combination of mentorship, structured learning, and real-time participation empowers new voices to join and contribute meaningfully to the Public Policy and Members Meeting. It’s inspiring to see Fellows grow into active participants, shaping the policies that impact the ARIN community.”

But don’t just take it from us; recent Fellows have had enthusiastic feedback about the program.

What do past Fellows have to say?

”Professionally, this experience has sharpened my understanding of IP resource stewardship and the broader ecosystem of Internet coordination. I now have a deeper appreciation for the role of IP exchanges and the governance mechanisms that sustain our technical foundations. Personally, I feel more empowered and informed — and better prepared to engage in these spaces moving forward.” – Kevin Schoenfeld, ARIN 55 Fellow

“With a non-technical background, this experience was particularly enriching, as I had the opportunity to engage with Internet governance discussions that shape regional Internet number resource policies and to understand how ARIN operates within the broader landscape of Internet infrastructure and community needs.” – Kathleen Scoggin, ARIN 54 Fellow

“The highlight for me was the draft policy discussions during the ARIN Public Policy and Member Meetings held from April 15th to 17th. Thanks to our Mentors’ advice — another fantastic benefit of the ARIN Fellowship — I had read the draft policies beforehand and was prepared for the discussions. It was enlightening to delve into the recent updates from ARIN and delve into the nuances of each policy, witnessing the community’s dedication to detail.” – Atefeh Mohseni Ejiyeh, ARIN 53 Fellow

“It was a transformative experience and I learned so much from this process and met a wonderful community of folks who are inclusive and want to see more young people getting into Internet governance and policy.” – Dana Cramer, ARIN 52 Fellow

Ready to apply?

To apply to the ARIN 56 Fellowship Program, just answer a few short questions during the application period open through 24 July. Selected Fellows will be notified of their acceptance into the in-person or virtual program on 18 August. For more information on the program please visit our Fellowships page.

Access the application and submit yours by 24 July.

Have questions? Email fellowships@arin.net.

We look forward to welcoming an amazing group of Fellows to the next ARIN Public Policy and Members Meeting!

If you know someone who would make a great ARIN Fellow, please encourage them to apply. You may also download and share our informational flyer.

Post written by:

Amanda Gauldin
Project Manager

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