Applications are now open for the highly competitive Principles of Intelligence Bridging Barriers in Safety and Security (PIBBSS) Winter Fellowship 2026–2027, an interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence (AI) safety research fellowship designed for outstanding researchers from around the world.
Hosted by Principles of Intelligence, the fellowship offers researchers a unique opportunity to transition into the rapidly growing field of AI safety while working alongside leading mentors, scholars, and practitioners. The program is specifically designed to connect talented researchers from diverse academic backgrounds with experienced AI safety mentors and research communities.
The fellowship will run for approximately three months, from November 2026 to February 2027, primarily in Cape Town, South Africa, with remote participation available only for exceptional candidates.
Participants will receive generous financial support, dedicated mentorship, accommodation, travel support, and access to a vibrant interdisciplinary community focused on addressing some of the world’s most important AI-related challenges.
About the PIBBSS Fellowship
The Principles of Intelligence Bridging Barriers in Safety and Security Fellowship is an intensive research program focused on advancing AI safety through interdisciplinary collaboration.
The program recognizes that many of the most important questions surrounding advanced AI systems cannot be solved by computer science alone. Instead, meaningful progress requires contributions from researchers across numerous disciplines that study intelligence, complex systems, governance, ethics, cognition, and human behavior.
The fellowship therefore brings together researchers from different academic and professional backgrounds and supports them in developing impactful AI safety research projects under expert guidance.
Over the years, fellowship alumni have gone on to work in:
- AI safety laboratories
- Government institutions
- Universities
- Independent research organizations
- AI governance initiatives
- Technology policy organizations
Past fellows have secured positions at leading institutions including Harvard University, the University of Oxford, Anthropic, Google, Epoch, and various AI safety organizations.
Fellowship Duration and Location
Successful applicants will participate in:
- A pre-program AI risk reading group conducted remotely
- A multi-day opening retreat
- Three months of full-time mentored research
- Community events and speaker sessions
- A final symposium presentation in Spring 2027
- A closing retreat with fellow researchers and mentors
Program Timeline
- Fellowship Period: November 2026 – February 2027
- Duration: Approximately 3 months
- Location: Cape Town, South Africa
- Participation Mode: In-person (remote participation only for exceptional candidates)
Benefits of the PIBBSS Winter Fellowship 2026–2027
The fellowship provides substantial support to ensure participants can fully focus on their research.
Financial Benefits
Selected fellows will receive:
- Monthly stipend of $3,000
- Funding for approximately three months
- One return flight to Cape Town, South Africa
- Visa support letters where required
Accommodation and Living Support
Participants will also receive:
- Free accommodation
- Private bedroom for each fellow
- Shared apartment arrangements where applicable
- Daily workday meals
- Lunch, dinner, and snacks provided at the office
Academic and Professional Benefits
Fellows will gain access to:
- Dedicated AI safety mentors
- Personalized project development support
- Research strategy coaching
- Interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities
- Regular speaker talks
- Professional networking events
- Shared office space
- Final symposium presentation opportunities
Career Development Benefits
The fellowship is particularly valuable for researchers seeking to:
- Transition into AI safety research
- Build international research networks
- Develop publishable research outputs
- Engage with leading AI safety experts
- Explore AI governance and policy pathways
- Access future career opportunities in academia, industry, and public policy
Research Areas and Fields Encouraged to Apply
The fellowship actively seeks researchers from diverse disciplines that contribute insights into intelligence, decision-making, governance, and complex systems.
Relevant fields include:
- Mathematics
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Dynamical Systems Theory
- Physics
- Philosophy
- Political Theory
- Economic Theory
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Linguistics
- Media Studies
- Humanities
- Related research disciplines
Researchers from interdisciplinary backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is intended for individuals who are motivated to contribute to AI safety and possess research experience in fields related to complex and intelligent systems.
Applicants may include:
- PhD researchers
- Doctoral candidates
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Academic researchers
- Independent researchers
- Experienced professionals with significant research backgrounds
Importantly, applicants do not need to hold a specific academic credential if they can demonstrate substantial research experience.
The fellowship welcomes applicants from all countries worldwide.
Another major advantage is that applicants are not required to have a fully developed research project before applying. The fellowship team works closely with selected candidates during the interview process to identify suitable mentors and refine project ideas.
Fellowship Structure
The fellowship follows a carefully designed progression that supports fellows throughout the research journey.
Pre-Program Phase
Participants begin with:
- Remote reading groups
- AI risk discussions
- Foundational AI safety materials
- Community-building activities
Research Phase
During the core fellowship period, fellows engage in:
- Full-time research
- Regular mentorship meetings
- Research coaching sessions
- Collaborative discussions
- Community events
Final Presentation Phase
The program concludes with:
- Research presentations
- Symposium participation
- Networking opportunities
- Knowledge-sharing sessions
Application Process
The selection process is conducted in multiple stages.
Stage 1: Written Application
Applicants must submit:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or résumé
- Personal statement (600–800 words)
- Research background information
- Motivation for pursuing AI safety research
- Optional but recommended work samples
Stages 2–4: Interviews and Project Development
Shortlisted candidates will participate in:
- Multiple interview rounds
- Research interest discussions
- Project proposal development
- Mentor matching sessions
The selection process is designed to identify talented researchers while ensuring strong alignment between fellows and mentors.
Why the PIBBSS Fellowship Stands Out
Unlike many traditional research fellowships, the PIBBSS Fellowship emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and mentorship.
Participants join a global network of researchers who are exploring:
- AI alignment
- AI governance
- AI ethics
- Cognitive science and AI intersections
- Policy responses to emerging AI risks
- Human and machine intelligence comparisons
- Long-term AI safety challenges
This collaborative environment enables fellows to contribute fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to some of the most pressing issues in artificial intelligence.
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for the PIBBSS Winter Fellowship 2026–2027 is:
20 July 2026 (23:59 Anywhere on Earth).
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible to allow sufficient time for review and interview scheduling.
Researchers interested in advancing AI safety while working alongside world-class mentors in an international environment should strongly consider applying for this fully funded fellowship opportunity.
For more information about this opportunity, visit here.
Discover more Global Fellowship Opportunities on OFY here.
