AIxBio Fellowship 2027 in Cambridge: Fully Funded 10-Week Programme for AI, Biosecurity, Research, Policy and Technology Professionals

The AIxBio Fellowship 2027 is offering an intensive, fully funded opportunity for researchers, engineers, policy professionals, entrepreneurs and technically minded individuals interested in tackling important challenges at the intersection of advanced artificial intelligence and biosecurity.

Organised by ERA in partnership with the Cambridge Biosecurity Hub, the 10-week, full-time programme will take place in Cambridge, United Kingdom, from 18 January to 26 March 2027.

The fellowship is designed for people who want to work on some of the most important emerging challenges associated with increasingly capable AI and biological risks, including the potential for AI to amplify biological threats and global catastrophic biological risks.

Importantly, applicants do not need prior formal research experience to apply. The programme welcomes individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, software engineering, biology, policy, governance, security and entrepreneurship.

Successful fellows will receive a £10,000 total stipend, together with expert mentorship, research management, workshops, networking opportunities and operational support throughout the programme.

About the AIxBio Fellowship 2027

The AIxBio Fellowship is a specialised programme focused on the rapidly developing relationship between artificial intelligence and biosecurity.

As AI systems become increasingly capable, they may create both opportunities and risks in biological research and security. The fellowship aims to bring talented people from different technical and professional backgrounds together to work on problems that could help reduce serious biological risks.

The programme is particularly concerned with global catastrophic biological risks (GCBRs), including risks associated with engineered pandemics and biological threats that could potentially be amplified by advanced AI.

Rather than being limited to one academic discipline, the fellowship is deliberately interdisciplinary.

It can accommodate projects and work involving:

• Artificial intelligence
• Machine learning
• AI safety
• Biological AI
• Biosecurity
• Biological risk reduction
• Biosecurity safeguards
• Policy
• Governance
• Security
• Technology implementation
• Research
• Entrepreneurship
• Other related areas at the AI-biosecurity intersection

This interdisciplinary approach means that the programme can be relevant to people who approach biosecurity from technical, scientific, policy, governance, security or entrepreneurial perspectives.

Who Is the AIxBio Fellowship Designed For?

The programme welcomes a broad range of applicants who are interested in addressing important problems involving AI and biosecurity.

Potential applicants include:

• Graduate students
• Early-career researchers
• Experienced researchers
• AI and machine-learning professionals
• Software engineers
• Biologists
• Policy researchers
• Governance professionals
• Security professionals
• Entrepreneurs and founders
• Technically minded generalists
• Professionals working on AI safety
• Individuals interested in biological security
• Professionals working at the intersection of technology and public policy

The programme is particularly interested in people who can bring useful expertise, technical skills, research abilities, policy knowledge or entrepreneurial thinking to important AI-biosecurity problems.

No Prior Formal Research Experience Required

One of the notable features of the AIxBio Fellowship is that prior formal research experience is not required.

This makes the programme potentially accessible to people who have strong technical, professional or interdisciplinary backgrounds but have not yet established a traditional academic research career.

While previous research experience can be useful, applicants are not required to have an extensive publication record or formal research background.

Instead, applicants can demonstrate their potential through their:

• Technical abilities
• Problem-solving skills
• Professional experience
• Research interests
• Policy experience
• Entrepreneurial experience
• Understanding of AI or biology
• Interest in biosecurity
• Ability to work on complex interdisciplinary problems
• Motivation to address global catastrophic biological risks

What Is the Main Focus of the Fellowship?

The central focus of the programme is the intersection between advanced AI and biosecurity.

This includes exploring how AI could influence biological risks and how technology, research, policy and governance can be used to reduce those risks.

The fellowship particularly focuses on reducing global catastrophic biological risks, including potential risks associated with engineered pandemics and biological threats that could be amplified by increasingly capable AI systems.

The programme therefore provides an opportunity for fellows to examine questions around how advanced technologies should be developed, governed and deployed in ways that reduce catastrophic risks.

Fellowship Tracks

The AIxBio Fellowship offers three primary tracks:

1. Research
2. Placement
3. Founding

These tracks provide different ways for fellows to contribute to the programme depending on their background, interests and career objectives.

Research Track

The Research Track is suitable for participants who want to investigate important questions related to AI and biosecurity.

Research projects may address topics across areas such as:

• AI safety
• Biological AI
• Biosecurity
• AI-enabled biological risks
• Risk assessment
• Biosecurity safeguards
• AI governance
• Biological security
• Technology policy
• Global catastrophic biological risks

Participants can use the fellowship period to develop and investigate important questions while receiving support and mentorship.

The research environment can also provide an opportunity to develop ideas that may lead to future research projects, publications, policy work or other professional activities.

Placement Track

The Placement Track is designed to provide fellows with practical exposure and opportunities to work on relevant problems in an organisational or professional setting.

This track may be particularly attractive to individuals who want to apply their existing technical, research, policy or professional skills to real-world AI-biosecurity challenges.

A placement can help participants understand how organisations approach emerging technological and biological risks and how interdisciplinary expertise can be translated into practical solutions.

Founding Track

The Founding Track is designed for entrepreneurs and individuals interested in building organisations, initiatives or solutions addressing AI-biosecurity problems.

This track can be particularly relevant to founders and technically minded individuals who see opportunities to develop new tools, organisations or approaches to reducing biological risks associated with advanced AI.

The programme’s support can help participants develop their ideas, strengthen their understanding of the problem space and connect with relevant experts and networks.

What Does the Fellowship Provide?

The AIxBio Fellowship offers a combination of financial support, professional development, expert guidance and networking.

£10,000 Total Stipend

Selected fellows will receive a £10,000 total stipend for the 10-week programme.

This financial support is intended to support fellows while they participate in the full-time programme in Cambridge.

Expert Mentorship

Fellows will receive expert mentorship throughout the programme.

Mentorship can be particularly valuable for participants entering a new interdisciplinary field because it can help them understand the technical, scientific, policy and professional landscape surrounding AI and biosecurity.

Research Management

The programme provides research management support, which can help fellows structure and execute projects effectively.

This is particularly relevant to fellows working on complex questions that require interdisciplinary research and collaboration.

Workshops

Participants will have access to workshops designed to develop their knowledge and skills.

These workshops can provide opportunities to explore emerging issues and learn from experts working in relevant areas.

Networking

The fellowship provides networking opportunities with people working across AI, biology, biosecurity, policy, security and related fields.

For participants building careers in emerging interdisciplinary areas, these professional connections can be particularly valuable.

Operational Support

Fellows will also receive operational support, helping them focus on their projects and make productive use of the fellowship period.

Duration of the AIxBio Fellowship

The programme lasts for 10 weeks.

The 2027 fellowship is scheduled to run from:

18 January 2027 to 26 March 2027.

Participants are expected to take part in the programme on a full-time basis.

Location

The fellowship will be held in:

Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Because the programme is described as a full-time programme in Cambridge, prospective applicants should consider their ability to participate in person for the duration of the fellowship.

Eligibility Requirements

The AIxBio Fellowship has relatively broad eligibility requirements compared with many specialised research programmes.

Applicants must:

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Have a strong interest in important problems at the intersection of AI and biosecurity.
• Be able to participate in the 10-week full-time programme.
• Be interested in contributing to efforts to reduce global catastrophic biological risks.

There are no other formal eligibility restrictions stated in the provided programme information.

Academic and Professional Backgrounds Welcomed

The fellowship welcomes applicants from multiple disciplines and career stages.

People with backgrounds in the following areas are specifically encouraged to apply:

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

AI and ML professionals can contribute technical expertise to questions involving advanced AI systems, AI safety and potential biological risks.

Software Engineering

Software engineers and technical professionals may be able to contribute to the development of tools, systems and approaches relevant to biosecurity and AI risk reduction.

Biology

Biologists can contribute scientific knowledge that helps bridge the gap between biological systems and advanced AI technologies.

Policy and Governance

Policy researchers and governance professionals can explore questions surrounding regulation, oversight, institutional responses and responsible development of emerging technologies.

Security

Security professionals may bring expertise in threat assessment, risk management and security systems.

Entrepreneurship

Founders and entrepreneurs can explore opportunities to create organisations, products or initiatives focused on addressing AI-biosecurity challenges.

Technically Minded Generalists

The programme also welcomes technically minded generalists who may not fit neatly into one conventional academic or professional category but can contribute valuable interdisciplinary skills.

Is the Fellowship Open to International Applicants?

The provided eligibility information does not specify a nationality or citizenship restriction.

It states that there are no other formal eligibility restrictions beyond being 18 or older.

Therefore, the programme is not presented as being restricted to applicants from a particular country, race or continent.

International applicants should, however, consider any applicable UK immigration, visa or travel requirements associated with participating in an in-person programme in Cambridge.

Why AI and Biosecurity Matter

The intersection between AI and biology is becoming increasingly important as artificial intelligence capabilities develop.

AI can potentially accelerate scientific discovery, improve analysis and support research. At the same time, increasingly capable technologies may create new challenges that need to be understood and managed.

The AIxBio Fellowship is focused on the risk-reduction side of this emerging field.

Its focus on global catastrophic biological risks means fellows can work on questions relating to how advanced technologies might interact with biological threats and how researchers, policymakers, security professionals and organisations can develop appropriate safeguards.

This makes the fellowship particularly relevant to individuals interested in the future of:

• AI safety
• Biological security
• Technology governance
• Global catastrophic risk reduction
• Emerging technology policy
• AI-enabled biological research
• Security and risk management

How the Fellowship Can Support Career Development

The AIxBio Fellowship can provide participants with an opportunity to develop expertise in a rapidly emerging interdisciplinary field.

For researchers, it can provide a platform for developing new research ideas and expanding into AI-biosecurity.

For engineers and technical professionals, it can provide exposure to high-impact problems beyond conventional technology applications.

For policy professionals, it can provide an opportunity to engage with the governance challenges associated with emerging technologies.

For entrepreneurs, it can provide support for developing ideas addressing significant AI-biosecurity problems.

For graduate students and early-career professionals, the programme can provide exposure to experts and networks that may help shape future career directions.

How to Make Your Application Competitive

Although the programme does not require prior formal research experience, applicants should still demonstrate why they are well positioned to contribute.

Demonstrate a Clear Interest in AI and Biosecurity

Applicants should clearly explain why the intersection of artificial intelligence and biosecurity interests them.

A strong application should demonstrate that the applicant understands the importance of the field and has thought seriously about the problems they would like to address.

Highlight Relevant Skills

Applicants should identify technical, analytical, scientific, policy, security, research or entrepreneurial skills that could be useful during the fellowship.

Explain Your Motivation

Applicants should communicate why they want to participate and what they hope to accomplish during the 10-week programme.

Emphasise Interdisciplinary Thinking

AI-biosecurity problems often cross traditional disciplinary boundaries. Applicants should demonstrate an ability or willingness to work across fields.

Identify the Track That Best Fits Your Goals

Applicants should consider whether the Research, Placement or Founding Track best matches their experience and ambitions.

Focus on Impact

The fellowship is concerned with reducing potentially catastrophic biological risks. Applicants should therefore demonstrate how their interests, expertise or proposed work could contribute to meaningful risk reduction.

Key Fellowship Details at a Glance

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the AIxBio Fellowship 2027 is:

19 October 2026.

The programme is listed as closing soon, so interested applicants should begin preparing their applications as early as possible.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should apply through the official AIxBio Fellowship programme.

The opportunity page directs applicants to the programme’s official application and information platform.

Applicants should review the programme information carefully and ensure they understand the expectations of the 10-week full-time commitment before applying.

APPLY HERE

Important Considerations for International Applicants

Because the programme takes place in Cambridge, UK, international applicants should consider the practical requirements associated with participating in an in-person programme.

These may include:

• Ability to travel to the United Kingdom.
• Appropriate immigration or visa arrangements where applicable.
• Availability for the full 10-week period.
• Ability to participate full-time.
• Accommodation and logistical arrangements in Cambridge.
• Any other requirements communicated by the programme organisers.

The fellowship’s £10,000 stipend can provide financial support during the programme, but applicants should carefully review the official terms to understand precisely what expenses are covered.

Visit HERE for more information about the AIxBio Fellowship 2027 in Cambridge.

Conclusion

The AIxBio Fellowship 2027 is a distinctive opportunity for people who want to work on some of the most important emerging challenges at the intersection of advanced artificial intelligence and biosecurity.

Organised by ERA in partnership with the Cambridge Biosecurity Hub, the 10-week programme brings together researchers, engineers, policy professionals, security experts, entrepreneurs and other technically minded individuals to explore ways of reducing global catastrophic biological risks.

The programme offers a £10,000 total stipend, expert mentorship, research management, workshops, networking and operational support. Its three tracks — Research, Placement and Founding — allow participants with different professional goals to engage with the programme in ways suited to their backgrounds.

Another important feature is that prior formal research experience is not required, opening the opportunity to talented individuals who may have strong technical, professional, entrepreneurial or interdisciplinary capabilities without a conventional research background.

With the fellowship scheduled to run from 18 January to 26 March 2027 in Cambridge, UK, and applications closing on 19 October 2026, interested applicants should begin preparing their applications now.

For individuals passionate about artificial intelligence, biological security, emerging technology governance, AI safety, global catastrophic risk reduction or technology-driven solutions to major global challenges, the AIxBio Fellowship could provide an important platform for developing expertise, building networks and contributing to high-impact work in an increasingly important field.

For more global Fellowship opportunities, visit OFY HERE.