R&D Ambassadors

Through this program, LACNIC seeks to reinforce the following technological capabilities:

• Deployment of LACNIC anycast DNS servers or DNS root zone servers (+RAICES).
• Deployment of measurement platforms within a group of local ASNs or organization of deployathons for a specific community.
• Deployment of BGP collectors at IXPs or other networks of interest.
• Deployment of critical technologies identified by LACNIC: IPv6, RPKI validation, ROA creation by operators, DNS/DNSSEC adoption, etc.
• Strengthening local technical capacities: organization of workshops, tutorials, meetings, and other local activities to disseminate LACNIC's strategic messaging.
• Promoting regional research activities: dissemination of our research activities and incentives to complement and/or enhance these efforts.

Participants in the R&D Ambassadors Program will receive the following benefits:

• A reserved slot at next year's annual LACNIC event to present the progress of their projects implemented as R&D Ambassadors.
• Coordination and payment of travel, accommodation, and per diem to attend the annual LACNIC event (includes event registration).
• Personal brand development for Ambassadors.
• Visibility of their work as Ambassadors through LACNIC's institutional channels (including social media, interviews, and the LACNIC Blog).
• Up to US$ 2,000 in funding for contracting software development services, installations, or work by third parties. This budget will be approved based on the submission of the work plan.
• Support from LACNIC's R&D Department for planning and implementing the Ambassadors’ activities.
• Support in preparing presentations and disseminating their work.
• Free access to two advanced courses on the LACNIC Campus.
• Training on LACNIC's goals, functions, and available support opportunities.

1. Prospective participants must submit a proposal for a one-year work plan (from June of this year to June of next year). This work plan should detail the activities they intend to organize during the term of the Program, along with a schedule and an execution budget not exceeding US$ 2,000. These activities must align with the Program's objectives and include a series of technological capacity-building activities such as those mentioned in the “Technological Capacities to Be Implemented” section.
2. The work plan must be accompanied by the applicant's CV, highlighting relevant experience related to the activities included in the work plan. Applicants must also detail the resources available to them for executing the proposed work plan, as well as their ability to collaborate with their local communities to implement the actions needed to implement the proposed activities.
3. The work plan must be submitted in PDF format to: embajadores@lacnic.net. Click here for a PDF with information on how to apply.

The program is designed for individuals, not entities.

This program is open to anyone within the LACNIC community who has technical expertise in the topics mentioned above and an interest in strengthening a resilient, secure, and stable Internet in the region.

Applicants must reside and conduct their activities within the territories that are part of the LACNIC service region.

Applicants must be available to complete their work plan within a one-year period from June to June. Additionally, they must have the resources needed to execute the proposed work plan and the ability to collaborate with their local communities to implement the actions necessary for the proposed activities.

Applications will be evaluated based on the submitted work plans, considering the proposed activities as well as the candidates’ background, available resources, and ability to coordinate with their local community.

The feasibility of executing the work plan within the term of the Program will also be considered.

The selection process will be conducted by the LACNIC Research and Development Department staff. Three (3) R&D Ambassadors will be selected for the current period.

Throughout the program, the selected candidates must fulfill the following obligations:

1. Participate in the general meetings organized by LACNIC within the framework of the Program.
2. Participate in follow-up meetings with the R&D Department. At least three such meetings will be organized.
3. Participate in the training activities organized by LACNIC within the framework of the Program.
4. Prepare the technical work plan proposed at the time of their application.

Modifications to this plan may be accepted provided they do not substantially change the proposed plan and/or expected results, and that such modifications are agreed upon jointly with LACNIC's R&D Department.

1. Present intermediate results of their work at each follow-up session.
2. Present final results of their work in publishable written format prior to next year's May event.

Submit a document in PDF format including:

• Work plan, following the format described below
• Updated CV, highlighting relevant experience related to the activities included in the work plan.

Work Plan Format