Applications are now open for the AI Policy Fellowship 2026, a fully funded, three-month professional fellowship offered by the Institute for AI Policy and Strategy (IAPS). The fellowship is designed for individuals from diverse policy and technical backgrounds who want to build practical, real-world AI policy skills and contribute to shaping national and global AI governance.
The Summer 2026 cohort will run from June to August 2026, with options to participate in Washington, D.C. or remotely.
Fellowship Overview
The IAPS AI Policy Fellowship supports professionals at different career stages—ranging from undergraduate students to senior experts—who are interested in tackling pressing AI policy challenges. Fellows work full-time on independent, mentored AI policy projects that directly inform government, industry, and think-tank decision-making.
Key Dates & Location
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Fellowship period: 1 June – 21 August 2026
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Kick-off residency: 1–12 June 2026 (mandatory, Washington, D.C.)
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Participation mode:
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Fully in-person (Washington, D.C.), or
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Hybrid / fully remote (with required D.C. residency)
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All fellows—whether remote or D.C.-based—must attend the two-week in-person residency at the start of the program.
Financial Support (Fully Funded)
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Senior Fellows: USD 22,000 stipend
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Fellows: USD 15,000 stipend
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Duration: 3 months, full-time
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Flexibility: Part-time options may be available for exceptional candidates
Remote fellows also receive a support budget that can be used for in-person meetings, conferences, or engagements with assigned experts.
What Fellows Do (Day-to-Day Experience)
Fellows work independently while receiving close mentorship and structured support. Typical activities include:
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Writing AI policy memos, briefs, or research reports
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Briefing government officials and policymakers
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Organising high-level policy convenings or international events
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Producing strategic recommendations for AI governance
Each fellow:
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Meets weekly with their mentor and an IAPS manager
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Participates in regular work-in-progress sessions
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Presents final outputs during the last week of the fellowship
Who Should Apply?
IAPS welcomes applicants from policy and technical backgrounds, including:
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Government and public sector professionals
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Industry practitioners
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Think tank and research organisation staff
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Technologists and AI researchers transitioning into policy
There is no fixed seniority requirement. Successful applicants share:
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Strong subject-matter expertise or familiarity with AI policy priorities
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Interest in AI governance, national security, or global technology policy
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Motivation to produce concrete, policy-relevant outputs
AI Policy Focus Areas
Fellows may work on projects covering areas such as:
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National security implications of AI
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Government procurement and acquisition of AI systems
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Export controls and compute governance
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CBRN risks and evaluations of AI models
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Geopolitics of AI and international coordination
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Hardware-enabled governance mechanisms
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Jurisdiction-specific AI policy (e.g. U.S., U.K., E.U.)
Projects are tailored collaboratively between the fellow, mentor, and fellowship coordinator.
Examples of Past Fellowship Projects
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Authoring AI policy briefs or memos
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Briefing senior government officials
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Contributing to major research reports
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Organising a 200-person international AI policy conference
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Publishing op-eds on emerging or neglected AI risks
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Advising think tanks expanding into new jurisdictions
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Supporting the launch or operations of new AI policy organisations
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Designing and running Track II diplomacy or policy dialogues
These outputs help fellows build a strong AI policy track record with tangible impact.
Career Support & Alumni Outcomes
The fellowship is designed to support a smooth transition into AI policy careers. Fellows receive:
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Weekly one-on-one coaching focused on career development and productivity
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Continuous feedback from IAPS researchers and policy staff
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Access to an extensive professional AI policy network
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Networking opportunities during the D.C. residency
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Additional financial transition support in select cases
Alumni have gone on to work in government, industry, and leading think tanks, including RAND, Institute for Progress, Center for Health Security, and IAPS.
Join the Fellowship Community (D.C. & Remote)
Washington, D.C.
Fellows begin with a two-week in-person residency featuring:
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Trainings on AI systems and policy challenges
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Project workshops and expert supervision
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Roundtables, briefings, and networking events
D.C.-based fellows also receive access to office space and regular in-person programming.
Remote Participation
IAPS is a remote-first organisation and legally supports fellows in many countries. While some location-based constraints may apply, remote fellows receive structured support and funding for in-person engagement when relevant.
Questions about eligibility by country can be directed to: fellowship@iaps.ai
Information Session (Webinar)
Interested applicants are encouraged to attend an information webinar:
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Date: 21 January 2026
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Time: 10:00 AM PT | 6:00 PM GMT
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What to expect:
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Application guidance from the IAPS team
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Insights from past fellows
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Live Q&A
- CLICK HERE
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Application Deadline
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Deadline: 2 February 2026
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Time: 11:59 PM (Pacific Time)
Apply Now
If you are interested in shaping the future of AI governance and building hands-on policy experience, the AI Policy Fellowship 2026 is a standout opportunity.
👉 Apply now and review FAQs on the official IAPS website
