Applications are now open for the African Academy for Open Source Investigation (AAOSI) Fellowship in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal. If you are part of a newsroom or watchdog organization dedicated to investigative journalism and digital forensics, this fellowship provides a unique opportunity to strengthen your OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence) and SOCMINT (Social Media Intelligence) skills. The program aims to equip journalists with advanced forensic tools to analyze and counter information manipulation, disinformation, and coordinated inauthentic behavior, ensuring the integrity of public discourse.
Fellowship Summary
Delivery Mode: Hybrid (virtual training and mentorship with local implementation)
Location: Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal
Offered by: Code for Africa (CfA)
Target Group: Investigative journalists, newsroom professionals, watchdog NGOs
Funding: Modest grant to cover eligible project costs
Duration: Varies based on project scope
Application Deadline: February 12, 2025
Start Date: To be determined
Eligible to: Newsrooms, digital media outlets, civil society organizations in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal
Areas of Interest: Open-source intelligence (OSINT), digital investigations, fact-checking, media integrity, countering misinformation
Fellowship Overview
The African Academy for Open Source Investigation (AAOSI) is an initiative by Code for Africa (CfA), the continent’s largest civic technology and data journalism network. CfA leverages technology and open data to strengthen digital democracy, investigative journalism, and civic engagement.
AAOSI is a joint effort by CfA’s:
CivicSignal AI/machine-learning team, which analyzes patterns of influence operations
iLAB forensic research team, specializing in digital forensics
PesaCheck fact-checking team, the largest fact-checking initiative in Africa
The fellowship aims to strengthen information integrity by training investigative journalists and NGOs in detecting and analyzing digital disinformation campaigns, misinformation, and hate speech.
Program Structure and Objectives
Equip newsrooms and watchdog organizations with OSINT and forensic analysis skills.
Support investigative projects that expose disinformation and coordinated manipulation efforts.
Expand the reach of investigative journalism through syndication and amplification support.
Foster a pan-African network of OSINT investigators to collaborate on transnational investigations.
Topics, Thematic Areas, and Activities
The African Academy for Open Source Investigation (AAOSI) Fellowship in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal focuses on the following topics:
Open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniques
Digital forensics and social media investigations
Identifying and countering disinformation networks
Fact-checking and verifying information integrity
Understanding coordinated inauthentic behavior (CIB)
Activities and Expectations:
Fellows will receive hands-on technical training and project mentorship.
They will produce investigative reports that will be published on both local and international platforms.
Participants will engage in weekly online training and peer learning sessions.
They will contribute to knowledge-sharing within their organizations.
Fellowships Benefits
Financial Support: Selected newsrooms and organizations will receive a grant to support their investigative projects.
Technical and Mentorship Support: Access to expert training, one-on-one mentorship, and guidance from CfA’s forensic researchers and data analysts.
Publishing and Amplification: Projects will be published locally and internationally, with syndication support from CfA.
Networking and Collaboration: Participants will be connected with a wider network of OSINT experts across Africa.
Eligibility Criteria
The newsroom/organization must be a registered media outlet or digital platform in Côte d’Ivoire or Senegal.
Must have at least one year of journalism experience, preferably in investigative or data journalism.
Must have a track record of published investigative reports, with the most recent not older than two months.
The organization must commit to regular communication, training sessions, and knowledge-sharing.
Freelance journalists can apply if they are affiliated with a media organization where their work will be published.
Applicants must be fluent in either English or French.
Application Procedure
Interested candidates in the African Academy for Open Source Investigation (AAOSI) Fellowship can submit their applications by filling this online application form.
📂 Supporting Documents:
Resume (maximum 3 pages)
Reference letter from a senior newsroom/organization staff member
Links to recent investigative reports (up to three articles)
3. Proposal Requirements:
Description of investigative focus and methodology
Expected impact and outcomes
Commitment to publishing content on a public platform
4. Selection Process:
Applications will be reviewed for relevance, feasibility, and impact potential.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview.
🗓️ Application Deadline: February 12, 2025
ℹ️ For inquiries, contact mitchelle.awuor@codeforafrica.org or kunle.adebajo@codeforafrica.org.
🔗 OFFICIAL CALL LINK
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