Call for Projects: Lideres 2024 – Funding and Mentoring Program

Líderes is a LACNIC program that provides funding and mentoring to support research on selected Internet Governance (IG) topics as they are perceived from within the different communities.

To support the contribution of those involved in, and committed to, the goal of advancing the digital agendas with an impact on the generation of public policy following a bottom-up and multistakeholder process, Líderes will continue to prioritize intersessional work, underrepresented communities, and knowledge exchange among peers, while providing an increasingly consolidated platform where the voices of successful candidates can be heard.

Objectives

• This program aims to provide funding and mentoring to successful applicants so they can conduct research and provide detailed insight on topics related to Internet governance (IG) as they are perceived within their communities. These research projects aim at increasing knowledge about IG issues in Latin America and the Caribbean and they will be featured on LACNIC’s website.
• Projects must be unique and not duplicate existing research on regional IG issues, but rather complement existing knowledge in the field. Unique and diverse perspectives will be highly valued.

Thematic Areas

• Internet for All: Inclusion, Development of Digital Skills, and Impact on Human Rights
  • Research in this area should address the ongoing challenges related to the Internet and digital inclusion, and also identify solutions or initiatives that will help to guarantee the protection of Human Rights in the digital sphere.
  • Topics suggested for this area include:
    • Universal access and meaningful connectivity
    • Promotion of talent and digital skills
    • Innovative access models, initiatives, and solutions
    • Right to access and information
    • Right to privacy and data protection
    • Technology in the Human Rights legislation of Latin America and the Caribbean
    • Human Rights in the digital sphere: freedom of expression in the face of censorship/gender freedom
    • Role of emerging technologies and their impact on Human Rights
    • Barriers to Internet access and the generation of digital divides
    • Access to information and fake news.
• Artificial Intelligence, Innovation, and Emerging Technologies
  • Research in this area should explore the evolution of AI and emerging technologies, considering their innovation and social impact, as well as recommendations to mitigate potential risks to safeguard the rights of individuals.
  • Topics suggested for this area include:
    • User security vulnerabilities
    • Non-discrimination, impartial data processing
    • Analysis of the use of AI by governments and industries
    • Ethical principles to confront AI and its potential risks
    • Technical robustness and security (cyberattacks)
    • Illegal personal data processing
    • Disinformation campaigns.
• Cybersecurity and Cybercrime – Building Online Trust
  • Research in this area should address cybersecurity, cybercrime, and their impact. Given that security is a key element for Internet development, projects should also seek to understand the mechanisms needed to generate a digital environment based on online trust.
  • Topics suggested for this area include:
    • Cooperation mechanisms
    • Hate speech and the rights of vulnerable users
    • Protecting children online
    • Technology for the promotion of business innovation
    • Cyberattacks and cyber conflicts
    • Cyber hygiene
    • The fight against disinformation
    • Cybersecurity practices and standards/ cooperation policies
    • Economic and technical impacts of cybersecurity incidents
    • Impacts on critical infrastructure
    • Cyber diplomacy to strengthen trust between countries
    • Internet infrastructure security, stability, and resilience.
• Internet and Public Policy
  • Research in this area should address the various mechanisms under which public Internet policy is formulated in their region, and the challenges that exist for the implementation of the multistakeholder model in this domain. Additionally, research should address how the principles of the Internet can be affected by regulation.
  • Topics suggested for this area include:
    • Multistakeholder participation models in the formulation of public Internet policy
    • Internet regulation and fragmentation
    • Regulation and net neutrality
    • Impact of initiatives such as Cost Sharing, Sending Party Pays, and Fair Share
    • Mechanisms for generating Internet-related public policy in the countries of their region
    • Impact of Internet Governance Initiatives (NRIs) for the formulation of Internet-related public policy
    • Intermediary liability.
• Internet as an Instrument for Social and Economic Development
  • Research in this area should address the transformative power of the Internet as a fundamental basis in today’s digital world. It should also explore the power of the Internet as a fundamental ally to confront current challenges relating to social and economic development.
  • Topics suggested for this area include:
    • Cooperation models
    • Strengthening of the multistakeholder model
    • e-Commerce
    • Digital government
    • Online education
    • Telecommuting
    • Innovative frameworks and initiatives for social and economic development
  • Findings can be presented in a variety of formats, including, but not limited to, digital publications with graphics, animations or videos, podcasts, and infographics.

Funding Information

• Access to funding for up to US$ 1,500.
• Duration
  • Three months to complete a brief research project.

Who can apply?

• Among others, this program is open to NRI coordinators, university students, academic researchers, journalists, policymakers, independent researchers, and technical communities. Virtually anyone who is —or has been— involved in Internet Governance in their community and/or who can demonstrate strong capacity to conduct a brief, high-quality research project is welcome to apply. Only applications from individuals will be accepted.
• Researchers selected in previous editions are not eligible to apply for the following two editions of the program. Previously unsuccessful candidates may reapply. Finally, candidates who collaborated in studies conducted in previous years may apply for the current 2024 edition in a personal capacity.
• The Líderes program has been designed for individuals, not for entities.

Eligibility Criteria

• Access to a mentor that is knowledgeable on global Internet Governance issues
• The research must be conducted by a single researcher.
• The candidate must reside in one of the 33 territories that are part of the Latin American and Caribbean region.
• Findings may be presented as a one-time publication, videos, animations, a set of digital flyers, a series of podcasts and infographics, or an original format of the researcher’s choosing.
• The resulting work will be featured on LACNIC’s website and promoted via LACNIC’s communication channels.
• Regional recognition of the candidate’s intellectual property and opinion on an issue faced by the community.
• After completing the research, candidates will receive a certificate validating their participation in the program.
• After completing their research, candidates will have the chance to obtain one of the 8 sponsorships that will be offered within the framework of LACNIC Policy Shapers, a program that aims to support the insertion into the world of Internet Governance through various instances of training and participation in the institutional life of LACNIC.

For more information, visit LACNIC.