Conservative AI Policy Fellowship 2027 in Washington, DC: Fully Funded AI Policy Fellowship for Policy Professionals

The Conservative AI Policy Fellowship (CAPF) is an eight-week, part-time fellowship designed for policy professionals interested in understanding artificial intelligence and the policy debates surrounding emerging technologies. The program is organized by the Foundation for American Innovation (FAI) and brings participants together with technologists, policy experts, researchers, and other professionals working on important questions related to artificial intelligence.

The Winter 2027 Conservative AI Policy Fellowship will take place in Washington, DC, with sessions held at the FAI office on Capitol Hill. The fellowship is designed for participants who want to build practical AI policy knowledge and better understand how decisions surrounding artificial intelligence could affect American economic, technological, national-security, labor, energy, and societal policy.

Applications for the Winter 2027 cohort are currently open, and the application deadline is October 30, 2026.

Conservative AI Policy Fellowship 2027: Overview

The Conservative AI Policy Fellowship is a structured, eight-week program for policy professionals who want to develop or deepen their understanding of artificial intelligence from a policy perspective.

Participants do not need a technical background in artificial intelligence. Instead, the program focuses on helping fellows understand the major policy questions surrounding AI and emerging technology.

According to the program information, fellows participate in weekly discussions with leading technologists and policy experts. The fellowship also includes a weekend retreat featuring workshops, collaborative projects, and networking opportunities.

The fellowship is particularly relevant for professionals whose work intersects with areas such as:

• Artificial intelligence policy
• Technology policy
• National security
• Economic policy
• Energy policy
• Emerging technology
• Labor and markets
• Technology-sector policy
• Government policy
• Public policy research

The program also welcomes exceptional early-career applicants who demonstrate strong judgment, intellectual curiosity, and a serious interest in pursuing careers related to AI policy.

Key Details of the Winter 2027 AI Policy Fellowship

Here are the major details applicants should know before applying:

• Program: Conservative AI Policy Fellowship
• Cohort: Winter 2027
• Duration: Eight weeks
• Dates: January 19 to March 12
• Location: Washington, DC
• Program format: Part-time
• Application deadline: October 30, 2026
• Weekly commitment: Approximately 2–3 hours during a typical week
• Weekend retreat: Required, running from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon
• Funding: Fully funded
• Stipend: Fellows are eligible to receive a $1,500 stipend
• Technical AI experience: Not required
• Weekday sessions: Held at the Foundation for American Innovation office on Capitol Hill

What Does the Conservative AI Policy Fellowship Cover?

The fellowship provides participants with exposure to several major areas of artificial intelligence policy.

Rather than focusing exclusively on the technical development of AI systems, the program examines artificial intelligence through a policy and societal perspective.

1. Overview of Artificial Intelligence

Participants will learn the fundamentals of artificial intelligence from a policy perspective.

This is particularly relevant for policy professionals who need to understand AI without necessarily becoming AI engineers or technical researchers.

The program is therefore designed to help participants develop AI literacy and understand the broader implications of the technology.

2. AI, National Security and Defense

Another major topic is the relationship between artificial intelligence and U.S. national security.

Participants will examine questions concerning how AI could affect national-security policy and defense.

This area is particularly relevant to congressional staff, government officials, policy researchers, and professionals whose work intersects with national security and emerging technology.

3. Powering American AI

The fellowship also examines strategies related to energy dominance and reindustrialization in the context of artificial intelligence.

Because advanced AI systems can require significant computing and energy infrastructure, energy policy is an important component of the broader AI policy discussion.

4. AI Competition and China

The program covers technological competition involving China, including topics such as:

• Semiconductor chips
• Export controls
• Technological competition
• AI development
• International technology policy

These topics connect artificial intelligence with trade, industrial policy, national security, and technological leadership.

5. Labor and Market Policy

Artificial intelligence is expected to have implications for labor markets and the economy.

The fellowship therefore examines economic forecasts and potential labor-market effects associated with AI.

This provides participants with an opportunity to consider questions involving employment, productivity, economic change, and markets.

6. AI Safety and Family

The program also considers the effects of artificial intelligence on children and families.

This expands the discussion beyond technology and economics to broader societal questions surrounding the use and impact of AI.

Who Should Apply for the Conservative AI Policy Fellowship?

The fellowship welcomes applicants across the conservative policy landscape who are interested in shaping major decisions involving artificial intelligence and emerging technology.

The program specifically identifies several groups that may be particularly well suited to the fellowship.

Congressional Staff and Executive Branch Officials

The fellowship is relevant to congressional staff and executive branch officials whose professional responsibilities involve areas such as:

• Technology
• National security
• Economic policy
• Energy
• Artificial intelligence
• Emerging technologies

These professionals can use the fellowship to deepen their understanding of AI-related policy questions relevant to their work.

Policy Researchers and Think Tank Professionals

Policy researchers, think tank staff, and other practitioners working on consequential questions involving artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are also encouraged to apply.

This makes the program relevant to individuals already working in public policy research who want to develop greater AI policy literacy.

Technology Professionals Moving Into AI Policy

Professionals working in the technology sector who are interested in transitioning into an AI policy career are another target group.

Importantly, applicants do not have to already work directly in AI policy to be considered.

Exceptional Early-Career Applicants

The fellowship also welcomes exceptional early-career applicants who demonstrate:

• Strong judgment
• Intellectual curiosity
• Serious interest in AI policy
• Interest in emerging technology
• Evidence of initiative or leadership
• Strong academic or professional performance

The program states that applicants who are relatively new to AI policy can still be suitable candidates if they demonstrate strong policy aptitude and a compelling reason for engaging with the field.

Is Technical AI Experience Required?

No.

One of the important features of the Conservative AI Policy Fellowship is that technical expertise in artificial intelligence is not required.

The program is intended for policy professionals who want to develop or strengthen their understanding of AI.

Applicants therefore do not need to be AI engineers, machine-learning researchers, programmers, or computer scientists.

However, applicants should demonstrate a serious interest in the policy questions surrounding artificial intelligence and emerging technology.

What Makes a Strong Application?

The fellowship provides specific guidance about the qualities it looks for in applicants.

A strong application should clearly explain why AI policy matters to the applicant’s work and where the applicant hopes to make an impact.

The program identifies several areas that can strengthen an application.

Serious Interest in AI Policy

Applicants should demonstrate genuine interest in consequential questions surrounding artificial intelligence.

This means applicants should be able to explain why AI policy is important to their professional or academic interests.

Strong Academic or Professional Performance

The fellowship is interested in applicants who can demonstrate strong professional or academic performance.

Evidence of the following can be useful:

• Initiative
• Ambition
• Leadership
• Professional achievement
• Academic achievement

Thoughtful Policy Judgment

Applicants should demonstrate that they can think carefully about AI policy questions, recognize tradeoffs, and engage seriously with competing perspectives.

This is an important aspect of the fellowship because AI policy involves complex technological, economic, national-security, and societal questions.

Connection to Career Goals

Applicants should be able to explain how participation in the fellowship connects with their current work or longer-term professional goals.

A clear explanation of how the fellowship fits into an applicant’s career development can therefore be important.

Intellectual Curiosity

The program also values applicants who are curious about questions outside their existing area of expertise.

Applicants do not necessarily need to have extensive AI experience. The fellowship welcomes people who are relatively new to the field if they can demonstrate strong policy aptitude and a compelling reason for becoming involved in AI policy.

Fellowship Schedule and Time Commitment

The Conservative AI Policy Fellowship is a part-time program lasting eight weeks.

Fellows should expect to spend approximately 2–3 hours per week during a typical week.

This generally includes:

1. A 90-minute lunchtime or evening session.
2. Approximately 30–60 minutes of reading or preparation.
3. Periodic work on a short policy memo or project.

In addition to the regular weekly sessions, fellows must attend the program’s full weekend retreat.

The retreat runs from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon and includes intensive workshops, collaborative projects, and networking.

Attendance at the regular fellowship sessions is required because discussion and participation within the cohort are central parts of the program.

Where Will the Fellowship Take Place?

The fellowship is based in Washington, DC.

All weekday sessions take place at the Foundation for American Innovation office on Capitol Hill.

The office is within walking distance of:

• The U.S. Capitol
• Senate office buildings
• Union Station

Specific locations are provided to accepted fellows.

Because the program requires in-person attendance in Washington, DC, prospective applicants should carefully consider their availability and ability to participate in the required sessions and retreat.

Is the Fellowship Fully Funded?

The fellowship is described as fully funded.

According to the program information, meals and retreat expenses are covered in accordance with applicable government ethics rules.

Fellows are also eligible to receive a $1,500 stipend.

However, government employees should pay particular attention to applicable ethics requirements.

Government employees have participated in previous cohorts, but depending on their employer and position, participation in the fellowship, receipt of the stipend, or other program benefits may be subject to applicable ethics rules.

Applicants who are government employees are responsible for obtaining any required approval from their agency or organization before accepting an offer.

Government Employees and Ethics Requirements

Government employees can participate in the fellowship, according to the program’s frequently asked questions.

However, government employees should check with their organization’s ethics office before accepting the fellowship.

This is especially important because acceptance of a stipend, meals, retreat expenses, or other benefits may be subject to applicable government ethics regulations.

The program states that fellows are responsible for verifying whether accepting the stipend is permitted by their organization.

Applicants can also request additional information from FAI regarding the fellowship’s stipend, meals, retreat expenses, and other benefits for review by their ethics office.

Policy Memo or Fellowship Project

As part of the fellowship, participants will work on a short policy memo or project.

Fellows receive guidance from an assigned mentor throughout the drafting process.

During the second half of the fellowship, participants present an overview of their project.

This gives fellows an opportunity to develop practical policy-writing and presentation experience while applying concepts discussed during the program.

Speakers and Experts

The program has previously featured speakers from technology, government, national security, and policy organizations.

Previously featured speakers listed by the fellowship include:

• Sam Hammond, Director of Artificial Intelligence and Chief Economist at FAI
• Shyam Sankar, CTO of Palantir Technologies
• Alexei Bulazel, Special Assistant to the President and National Security Council Senior Director for Cyber
• Tim Fist, Director of Emerging Technology Policy at the Institute for Progress

These speakers illustrate the range of professional backgrounds represented in the fellowship’s discussions, including technology companies, policy organizations, and government.

Networking and Professional Development

Networking is an important part of the fellowship structure.

Fellows participate in discussions with policy experts and technologists and take part in a weekend retreat involving collaborative projects and networking.

The program’s previous fellows have also described the cohort and access to researchers, practitioners, and policymakers as significant parts of their fellowship experience. These comments are testimonials from individual former participants and represent their personal experiences rather than independent evaluations of the program.

For professionals interested in AI policy, the fellowship can therefore provide opportunities to interact with people working across technology, government, research, national security, and public policy.

What Will Fellows Learn?

By participating in the fellowship, fellows can expect exposure to a broad range of AI policy issues.

The program’s curriculum includes:

• Artificial intelligence fundamentals from a policy perspective
• U.S. national security and defense implications of AI
• Energy and infrastructure issues related to AI
• Reindustrialization
• Semiconductor chips
• Export controls
• Technological competition with China
• Labor-market effects of AI
• Economic forecasts related to AI
• AI’s impact on children and families
• Broader policy choices surrounding emerging technologies

The program combines educational sessions with reading, discussions, workshops, collaborative work, and a policy project.

Application Deadline for the Winter 2027 Cohort

Applicants interested in joining the Winter 2027 Conservative AI Policy Fellowship should pay close attention to the application deadline.

Application deadline: October 30, 2026.

The program states that applications for the Winter 2027 cohort are currently open and that applications close on October 30, 2026.

Applicants should also review their schedules carefully before applying because attendance at regular sessions is required and the full weekend retreat is mandatory.

How to Apply for the Conservative AI Policy Fellowship

Interested applicants can apply through the application form provided by the Foundation for American Innovation.

Before submitting an application, prospective fellows should consider how their professional or academic background connects with AI policy.

Applicants may want to clearly address:

1. Why artificial intelligence policy matters to their work or career.
2. Why they want to participate in the fellowship.
3. What AI policy questions they are interested in.
4. How the fellowship connects to their longer-term professional goals.
5. Evidence of academic or professional performance.
6. Examples of initiative, leadership, or intellectual curiosity.
7. Their ability to consider tradeoffs and engage with competing perspectives.
8. Their interest in questions beyond their existing area of expertise.

The official application is available through the Foundation for American Innovation’s fellowship page. The source provided for this article lists the application deadline as October 30, 2026.

APPLY HERE

Important Things Applicants Should Know Before Applying

Before submitting an application, prospective fellows should take several practical requirements into account.

The Program Is In-Person

The fellowship is based at FAI’s office on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Applicants should therefore consider their ability to attend the required sessions in person.

Attendance Is Required

Regular fellowship sessions require attendance, and the program’s attendance policy is described as strictly enforced.

Applicants who already know they have a scheduling conflict should disclose it in their application. The program states that it will try to accommodate conflicts where possible.

The Weekend Retreat Is Required

Fellows must attend the full weekend retreat, which runs from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon.

Technical AI Skills Are Not Required

Applicants do not need prior technical expertise in artificial intelligence.

The program is designed to help policy professionals develop AI literacy and understand the policy dimensions of emerging technology.

Government Employees Should Check Ethics Rules

Government employees should verify with their relevant ethics office whether participation and acceptance of fellowship benefits are permitted.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Conservative AI Policy Fellowship

What is the Conservative AI Policy Fellowship?

It is an eight-week, part-time fellowship organized by the Foundation for American Innovation for conservative policy professionals interested in artificial intelligence and emerging-technology policy.

When is the Winter 2027 fellowship?

The fellowship runs from January 19 to March 12.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is October 30, 2026.

Is the fellowship fully funded?

Yes. The program states that it is fully funded, with meals and retreat expenses covered in accordance with government ethics rules. Fellows are also eligible for a $1,500 stipend.

Do I need an AI or computer science degree?

No. The program states that no technical AI background is required.

Can early-career professionals apply?

Yes. The fellowship specifically identifies exceptional early-career applicants with strong judgment, intellectual curiosity, and a serious interest in AI policy as a group the program is particularly suited for.

Can technology professionals apply?

Yes. Technology-sector professionals interested in transitioning into AI policy are specifically listed among the people the fellowship is suited for.

Can government employees participate?

Yes. Government employees have participated in previous cohorts. However, they must verify applicable ethics requirements with their employer or agency.

How much time does the fellowship require?

Participants should expect approximately 2–3 hours per typical week, including the regular session, reading or preparation, and periodic policy-memo or project work. The full weekend retreat is also required.

Where are the sessions held?

The weekday sessions are held at the Foundation for American Innovation office on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

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Conclusion

The Conservative AI Policy Fellowship Winter 2027 is an eight-week, part-time program focused on helping policy professionals understand artificial intelligence and the policy questions surrounding emerging technology.

The fellowship covers a broad range of topics, including AI fundamentals, national security and defense, energy and reindustrialization, technological competition with China, semiconductor chips, export controls, labor markets, economic effects, and AI’s impact on children and families.

The program does not require applicants to have a technical AI background. Instead, it emphasizes serious interest in AI policy, strong academic or professional performance, initiative, intellectual curiosity, thoughtful judgment, and the ability to engage with competing perspectives.

The fellowship is based in Washington, DC, includes required in-person sessions and a weekend retreat, and provides funding for meals and retreat expenses under applicable rules. Fellows are also eligible for a $1,500 stipend.

For those considering applying, the key date to remember is the October 30, 2026 application deadline for the Winter 2027 cohort. Prospective applicants should also make sure they can meet the attendance requirements and, where applicable, obtain any necessary employer or ethics approval before accepting fellowship benefits.

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