The Roosevelt Institute is inviting experienced policy professionals, researchers, academics, and experts to apply for the Good Life Residents Program 2026, a prestigious six-month remote residency designed to cultivate innovative policy leaders and generate transformative ideas that advance economic justice in the United States.

As part of the Roosevelt Institute’s broader Good Life Agenda, selected residents will work alongside leading economists, policy experts, researchers, and senior advisors to develop original policy proposals addressing some of the country’s most pressing economic challenges. Participants will produce policy essays, collaborate with subject matter experts, contribute to national policy conversations, and receive $3,000 in compensation, along with travel and accommodation support for the program’s concluding event if required.

One of the featured residency tracks is the AI and Finance Residents Program, created in partnership with Data & Society, which focuses on examining how artificial intelligence is transforming finance, investment, labor markets, industrial policy, and the broader economy.

This residency provides an outstanding opportunity for experienced professionals who are passionate about shaping public policy, promoting equitable economic growth, and influencing the future of AI governance.

About the Roosevelt Institute Good Life Residents Program

The Good Life Residents Program is a six-month policy residency that brings together a small cohort of emerging and established policy thinkers to explore solutions aligned with the Roosevelt Institute’s vision for a stronger and more equitable economy.

Rather than conducting traditional academic research, residents focus on producing practical, people-centered policy ideas that can influence public debate and policymaking.

The program emphasizes collaboration, mentorship, public engagement, and intellectual exchange.

Throughout the residency, participants work closely with:

• Roosevelt Institute Think Tank directors
• Senior organizational leadership
• Topic advisors
• Fellow residents
• Policy practitioners
• Academic experts
• Organizers and government leaders

Each residency concludes with a public event designed to amplify participants’ ideas and encourage dialogue on important national and state-level policy issues.

AI and Finance Residents Program

One of the Roosevelt Institute’s featured residency topics explores the rapidly evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and finance.

Massive investments in generative AI have significantly reshaped the economy, influencing:

• Stock markets
• Financial markets
• Corporate profits
• Bond issuance
• Employment trends
• Industrial development
• Trade policy
• Technology investment
• Economic growth

Today, just seven technology companies account for more than one-third of the total market capitalization of the S&P 500, raising concerns about market concentration, financial stability, and economic inequality.

The Roosevelt Institute, together with Data & Society, seeks residents capable of producing bold policy ideas that help redirect AI investment toward broader public benefit while protecting workers, strengthening democratic institutions, and encouraging sustainable innovation.

Objectives of the AI and Finance Residency

The residency seeks to answer important policy questions such as:

• How can governments better oversee private AI investments?
• How can policymakers reduce excessive concentration within the technology sector?
• How can AI investment benefit society rather than only large corporations?
• How can governments encourage investment across other important sectors of the economy?
• How should AI policy balance innovation, public safety, labor protections, and national competitiveness?
• What democratic institutions are needed to ensure accountability over public investments in AI?
• How can governments support technology research that strengthens supply chains and sustainability?

Participants are encouraged to propose original, practical, and people-centered policy recommendations.

What Residents Will Do

Successful applicants will participate in numerous activities throughout the six-month residency.

These include:

Develop Original Policy Essays

Residents will research and write an approximately 1,500-word policy essay presenting innovative solutions aligned with the Roosevelt Institute’s Good Life Agenda.

Each essay responds to a specific policy prompt within the resident’s assigned topic area.

Join a Small Collaborative Cohort

Each topic area consists of only three to four residents, creating an environment that encourages meaningful collaboration, peer learning, and intellectual exchange.

Residents will work closely with one another throughout the program.

Work with Expert Advisors

Every cohort is supported by one or two Topic Advisors.

These advisors include:

• Leading academics
• Government practitioners
• Policy leaders
• Organizers
• Industry experts

They provide:

• Intellectual mentorship
• Strategic guidance
• Feedback on policy proposals
• Moderation during discussions and public events

Participate in Public Events

At the end of the residency, participants present and discuss their policy ideas during a public event organized by the Roosevelt Institute.

The event helps amplify participants’ work while encouraging national dialogue around economic policy.

Contribute to Public Engagement

Residents may also participate in:

• Opinion editorials (Op-Eds)
• Press interviews
• Reporter briefings
• Public policy discussions
• Media engagement opportunities

Serve as Good Life Agenda Ambassadors

Participants are expected to promote and represent the Roosevelt Institute’s Good Life Agenda throughout their professional and public networks.

Program Structure

Each residency topic includes:

• 3–4 Good Life Residents
• 1–2 senior Topic Advisors
• Roosevelt Institute policy staff
• Organizational leadership support

The program emphasizes mentorship, collaboration, and practical policy development.

Program Duration

The residency lasts:

• Six months

Time Commitment

Residents should expect to dedicate approximately:

• 5–8 hours per month

This makes the residency suitable for professionals balancing existing work or academic responsibilities.

Location

The program is primarily:

• Remote

However, participants may be invited to travel for selected meetings or the final public event.

Compensation

Selected residents will receive:

• $3,000 stipend
• Travel expenses covered (if required)
• Accommodation for the concluding event (if required)

This financial support enables participants to fully engage in the residency while contributing meaningful policy work.

Who Should Apply?

The Roosevelt Institute encourages applications from individuals with substantial experience in policy development, technology, economics, or related fields.

Ideal applicants include:

• Policy professionals
• Researchers
• Economists
• Academics
• Government practitioners
• Technology policy experts
• AI researchers
• Industrial policy specialists
• Think tank professionals

Candidates should demonstrate both subject expertise and a commitment to developing policies that improve economic outcomes for society.

Required Qualifications

Successful applicants should have:

• Demonstrated expertise in artificial intelligence, technology policy, industrial policy, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of five years of professional or academic policy experience.
• Strong analytical and writing abilities.
• An interest in advancing equitable economic policy.
• The ability to collaborate within multidisciplinary teams.
• A commitment to contributing original policy ideas.

Benefits of Joining the Program

Participants will enjoy numerous professional benefits, including:

• $3,000 financial compensation.
• National exposure through public events.
• Collaboration with leading policy experts.
• Individual mentorship from senior advisors.
• Opportunity to publish original policy work.
• Professional networking opportunities.
• Media and press engagement.
• Flexible remote participation.
• Travel and accommodation support for program events.
• Contribution to shaping future AI and economic policy discussions.

Why This Residency Matters

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming economies worldwide.

While AI offers tremendous opportunities for innovation and productivity, it also presents challenges related to wealth concentration, labor markets, financial stability, public accountability, and democratic governance.

The Roosevelt Institute’s Good Life Residents Program seeks individuals capable of proposing practical policy solutions that ensure AI serves broader public interests rather than reinforcing existing inequalities.

Participants have the opportunity to contribute directly to one of today’s most important public policy conversations while helping shape future economic policy.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should visit the Roosevelt Institute’s official Good Life Residents Program webpage and complete the online application according to the published application instructions.

Applicants should carefully review all eligibility requirements before submitting their materials.

APPLY NOW

Application Deadline

Please read and complete this application by the end of the day on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, to be considered for the Good Life Residents Program on AI, presented by the Roosevelt Institute and Data & Society.

Reach out to rooseveltsociety@rooseveltinstitute.org with any questions or concerns.

Program Term: 6 months (September–February 2027)
Time Commitment: Part-Time (~5–8 hours/month)
Location: Remote; Travel may be requested for select convenings

Conclusion

The Roosevelt Institute Good Life Residents Program 2026 offers an exceptional opportunity for experienced policy professionals and researchers to shape conversations around artificial intelligence, finance, and economic justice. Through expert mentorship, collaborative research, public engagement, and a funded six-month residency, participants can develop innovative policy ideas capable of influencing national discussions and future policymaking.

For individuals passionate about AI governance, economic equity, and public policy, this residency provides a unique platform to contribute meaningful solutions while expanding professional networks and gaining national visibility.

Visit the OFY website for more Fellowship Opportunities.