Are Digital Platforms and AI the Future of Cooperatives and Labor? A Global Fellowship Seeks Answers.
The digital revolution is reshaping economies, labor, and societies at an unprecedented pace. But what does this mean for cooperatives, unions, and solidarity-based organizations? And this is the part most people miss: How can these groups harness digital tools like AI and data-intensive platforms to build more democratic, equitable, and worker-centered futures? The Institute for the Cooperative Digital Economy (ICDE) at The New School is tackling these questions head-on with its 2026–2027 Fellowship Program, a global, non-residential research initiative. But here's where it gets controversial: Can technology truly empower cooperatives, or will it further entrench corporate dominance? This fellowship invites scholars to explore these tensions and propose bold, real-world solutions.
Program Overview: Bridging Theory and Practice
This fellowship isn’t just about academic research—it’s about driving change. Scholars are encouraged to delve into how digital infrastructures, from AI systems to algorithmic management tools, are transforming cooperative economies, labor relations, and governance. The program emphasizes empirically grounded, comparative, and interdisciplinary research, with a focus on actionable insights. Fellows will explore alternative models of digital economy governance, rooted in real-world practices and public relevance. A key point of debate: How can research be both rigorous and accessible to cooperatives, unions, and policymakers? ICDE challenges fellows to bridge this gap, producing work that’s not only academically robust but also practical and impactful.
Fellowship Highlights
- Application Deadline: January 20, 2026 (11:59 pm ET)
- Duration: 2026–2027 academic year
- Format: Fully remote, with one in-person requirement
- In-Person Component: Presentation at the Platform Cooperativism Consortium (PCC) Conference, November 12–15, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand
- Outputs: One substantial research publication (8,000–10,000 words) and at least one public-facing contribution (e.g., blog post, policy brief, or workshop)
- Support: Mentorship, access to global research networks, and conference travel funding
Why This Matters
ICDE is more than a research institute—it’s a movement. Based at The New School, a hub for social justice and interdisciplinary scholarship, ICDE drives the agenda of the Platform Cooperativism Consortium (PCC), a global network of scholars, cooperative leaders, technologists, and policymakers. Since 2019, ICDE has supported 58 fellows from over 60 countries, contributing to the growth of Solidarity Tech, influencing public policy, and strengthening cooperative ecosystems worldwide. But is this enough? As digital capitalism accelerates, the need for alternative models has never been more urgent. This fellowship is a call to action for researchers who want to shape the future of work and economies.
Who Should Apply?
ICDE welcomes applications from:
- Ph.D. candidates and postdoctoral researchers
- Junior and early-career faculty
- Researchers with equivalent experience and a strong track record
Collaborative or paired applications are encouraged, as are proposals that align with ICDE’s research focus areas. Applicants should demonstrate:
- A clear research question grounded in real-world cases
- Engagement with cooperatives, unions, or collective initiatives
- Familiarity with cooperative, labor, or solidarity-economy contexts
- A commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary research
Research Focus Areas: Where Theory Meets Praxis
Proposed research may explore, but is not limited to:
- Law, regulation, and public policy related to cooperatives, platforms, AI, and labor
- Political economy of digital capitalism and alternative economic models
- Empirical and ethnographic studies of platform labor and cooperative practices
- Data governance, surveillance, and digital rights
- Decolonial and Global South-grounded approaches
- Movement building, federation, and scaling without centralization
Priority Themes: Pushing Boundaries
ICDE is particularly interested in research on:
- Worker-led and cooperative AI systems
- AI governance within platform cooperatives
- Controversial yet critical: Inactive, stalled, or failed platform cooperatives
- State-facilitated and public-interest platform cooperatives
- Measuring impact, viability, and worker outcomes
- Imagining a federated “Solidarity Stack” of digital infrastructure
Benefits and Support: More Than Just Funding
Fellows receive:
- Mentorship from ICDE faculty, senior researchers, and peers
- Access to global networks of scholars, cooperatives, unions, and policymakers
- Opportunities for collaboration on research, events, and publications
- Travel and accommodation support for the PCC Conference in Bangkok (visa costs not included)
Application Requirements: What You’ll Need
To apply, submit:
- A CV (maximum four pages)
- A 1–2 page research proposal outlining your question, methods, timeline, and relevance
- One writing sample demonstrating prior research
- Contact details for two academic or professional references
Timeline: Mark Your Calendar
- Application Deadline: January 20, 2026
- Review Period: Late January 2026
- Interviews: Early February 2026
- Acceptance Notifications: Mid-February 2026
Apply Now and Join the Movement
Visit the official website to apply. For more opportunities, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Telegram.
Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not affiliated with this fellowship. For inquiries, contact ICDE directly. Due to high volume, GSO cannot process applications or respond to all inquiries.
Thought-Provoking Question for You: Can digital platforms and AI truly democratize economies, or will they perpetuate existing inequalities? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation!
