AAOSI Fellowship 2025

Code for Africa (CfA) is pleased to announce the African Academy for Open Source Investigation (AAOSI) Fellowship — an eight-month programme designed to equip journalists in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal with cutting-edge open-source intelligence (OSINT) and SOCMINT forensic analysis skills to investigate information manipulation and strengthen access to credible information.

In an era where coordinated inauthentic behaviour (CIB), disinformation, and propaganda increasingly undermine democratic discourse, journalists play a vital role in safeguarding the information space. This fellowship empowers investigative media and watchdog civil society organisations (CSOs) with tools to uncover influence operations, while building a collaborative network of OSINT practitioners across Africa.

Objectives

• Strengthen investigative journalism and watchdog CSO capacity with OSINT skills to expose information manipulation and interference (IMI).
• Support the creation of evidence-based investigations that tackle misinformation, hate speech, and propaganda in local contexts.
• Expand public engagement through the dissemination of data-driven content and cross-border collaboration on transnational investigations.
• Foster a pan-African network of OSINT investigators and digital forensic analysts.

Eligibility

This fellowship is open to:

• Journalists affiliated with recognised media outlets or CSOs in Côte d’Ivoire or Senegal.
• Freelancers with a proven record and affiliation to a recognised publishing organisation.
• Reporters with at least one year of experience, particularly in investigative or data journalism.
• Applicants with published work, with at least one piece published within the past two months.
• Journalists or researchers committed to sharing their skills within their organisations or networks.
• Individuals available for weekly online training and mentorship, and open to regular communication.
• Fluent speakers of English or French, the languages of instruction and mentorship.

Application Deadline: May 15, 2025
Click here to apply.