Programme Thesis
The Mozilla Fellowship funds individuals working to advance technology in the public interest, supporting projects that address issues like privacy, AI accountability, climate justice, and open internet infrastructure. It exists to empower technologists, researchers, and advocates to create people-centered technology and influence the broader tech ecosystem.
Selection Criteria
- Fit with the selected track (Embedded vs. Independent)
- Project clarity and feasibility within 12 months
- Alignment with Mozilla’s values (people-centered technology, open internet, public interest)
- Expected impact of the proposed work
- Leadership capacity and track record of the applicant
Past Winners / Cohort Profiles
Mozilla Fellows typically include technologists, researchers, and advocates with a strong open-source or public-interest portfolio. Past cohorts have included individuals working on AI ethics, digital rights, climate tech, and community-led internet governance. Named examples are not provided on the page, but the archetype is a mid-career innovator with a clear project and demonstrated leadership in their domain.
Ideal Candidate Fingerprint
The platonic ideal applicant is an established innovator (for Track II) or rising leader (for Track I) with a well-defined, feasible 12-month project that directly advances people-centered technology. They have a strong track record of open-source contributions, public-interest work, and leadership, and can articulate how their project will create measurable impact within the fellowship year.
Recommended Framing
Eniola should position himself as an independent computational researcher building open-source, ethically-focused tools for addiction neuroscience and drug safety, with a strong LMIC perspective from Nigeria. His ongoing MSc in Digital Health at HPI/Potsdam and his portfolio of pre-registered, transparent research (CCT model, TOPOLOGIX, neurocascade) demonstrate a commitment to public-interest technology and global health equity, making him a strong fit for the Independent Fellow track. He should emphasize how his tools are freely available, reproducible, and designed to address underserved populations, aligning with Mozilla’s values of openness and people-centered technology.
Watch Out
Eniola is currently enrolled in an MSc program, which may raise questions about his capacity to commit to a full-time 12-month fellowship. The Independent Fellow track requires 'established innovators with proven leadership experience'—his independent research is impressive but he lacks formal PhD or long-term institutional backing, which could be a competitive disadvantage. Additionally, the fellowship requires applicants to be located in specific regions (Kenya, South Africa, Brazil, MENA, Mexico, UK, US, or EU) for Track I; for Track II, location is not specified but may still be a consideration. Eniola is Nigerian and based in Germany for his MSc, which should satisfy location requirements, but this should be confirmed.