Navigating the Future: Top AI Safety, Governance, and Policy Fellowships for 2026
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing our world, impacting everything from how we live and work to how governments operate and global security is maintained. As AI technology advances, there’s a growing need for skilled professionals who can guide its development and ensure it’s used responsibly. This is where specialized fellowships come in, offering unique opportunities for individuals to deepen their expertise in AI safety, governance, security, and policy. These programs provide funding, mentorship, and direct engagement with leading experts, helping to shape the future of this transformative technology.
For those looking to contribute to the responsible advancement of AI, several significant fellowship opportunities are open for applications in 2026. These programs are designed for professionals, researchers, students, engineers, and policymakers eager to make a difference in the critical field of artificial intelligence.
Talos Network Artificial Intelligence Policy Leaders Programme 2026
The Talos Network Artificial Intelligence Policy Leaders Programme is designed for experienced professionals aiming to influence AI governance in Europe. This program seeks to build Europe’s capacity to manage advanced AI systems safely and effectively. It supports individuals with substantial experience in policy, government, international organizations, academia, and industry.
The program offers two tracks:
Placement Track
This track is for professionals with at least eight years of experience who wish to move into AI governance roles. Participants will receive a 12-month paid placement at an AI-focused organization, with a base compensation of EUR 5,000 per month for Brussels-based positions, plus cost-of-living adjustments for other cities. The program also includes career transition support, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
Training Track
Targeting senior professionals with at least twelve years of experience, this track helps individuals integrate AI governance and safety into their current roles. Participants benefit from advanced AI governance training, strategic positioning support, access to high-level policy networks, and career coaching.
The program includes a Virtual European AI Policy Bootcamp from September 10 to October 22, 2026, with weekly sessions compatible with full-time employment. A Policymaking Summit will be held in Brussels from October 3 to October 9, 2026, with fully reimbursed participation. Additional benefits include one-on-one mentoring, conference funding, and access to the Talos Network alumni community.
Black in Artificial Intelligence Safety and Ethics Fellowship Fall 2026
This 13-week remote fellowship is dedicated to supporting Black researchers, practitioners, and future leaders in AI safety, security, and governance. Running from September 8 to December 18, 2026, the program allows participants to specialize in AI Alignment, AI Security, or AI Governance.
Research Tracks
- AI Alignment: Focuses on areas like interpretability, oversight and control, agency research, and machine learning safety.
- AI Security: Covers cybersecurity, adversarial robustness, risk management, and threat detection.
- AI Governance: Explores policy frameworks, standards, evaluations, and systemic risk analysis.
The fellowship is structured in two phases. Phase one (Weeks 1-5) involves AI safety seminars, expert-led training, and skill development. Phase two (Weeks 6-13) centers on mentor-guided research and capstone project development, with potential outputs including research preprints and technical articles. Benefits include expert mentorship, AI safety training, research experience, and professional development.
Secure Program Synthesis Fellowship 2026
Led by Apart Research and Atlas Computing, this fellowship addresses the critical challenge of ensuring AI-generated software functions as intended and remains secure. The program runs from June to September 2026 and focuses on key areas within secure program synthesis.
Focus Areas
Participants can engage in projects related to:
- Specification Elicitation: Developing methods to translate informal requirements into formal specifications.
- Specification Validation: Creating tools to verify the accuracy and completeness of these specifications.
- Specification-Driven Development: Building systems that generate and evaluate software implementations based on formal specifications.
- Adversarial Robustness: Investigating weaknesses and failure modes in AI-assisted software development.
The fellowship offers research mentorship, compute resources, API support, community engagement, travel funding, and publication opportunities. It requires an 8-30 hour per week commitment and is fully remote. The application deadline was June 14, 2026.
Stanford University Center for International Security and Cooperation Artificial Intelligence Fellowships 2026-2027
Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC) offers prestigious fellowships focused on AI, international security, geopolitics, and strategic competition. The open tracks for the 2026-2027 academic year include the “Artificial Intelligence in Strategic Stability and Military Competition Fellowship” and the “Geopolitics of Artificial Intelligence Fellowship.”
These fellowships provide one academic year of research, faculty mentorship, access to Stanford researchers, and participation in seminars. They are ideal for researchers, scholars, security experts, AI governance professionals, and international affairs specialists. Applications close on June 8, 2026.
Constellation Visiting Fellowship Fall 2026
The Constellation Visiting Fellowship supports AI safety researchers with an immersive research residency in Berkeley, California, lasting three to six months. The program covers housing and travel, provides 24/7 office access, and offers meals on weekdays. Fellows gain access to over 100 researchers and participate in research talks and events.
Visa support is available for international participants. Applicants should be working full-time on AI safety or closely related research. Applications close on June 12, 2026.
Coefficient Giving Navigators Incubator – Artificial Intelligence Security Cohort
This leadership development program focuses on addressing neglected and high-impact global catastrophic risks, with its first cohort concentrating on securing transformative artificial intelligence. The program runs for six months to two years and offers salary matching support, research funding, compute resources, and networking opportunities.
Focus Areas
Participants may work on:
- AI model security
- Infrastructure protection
- Compute verification
- AI integrity
- AI control
- Rogue deployment detection
The incubator is available in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, London, Tel Aviv, and remotely. Ideal candidates include cybersecurity professionals, national security experts, AI security researchers, and technical founders. Applications are currently open.
Center for Human-Compatible Artificial Intelligence Research Fellowship
The Center for Human-Compatible Artificial Intelligence (CHAI) at UC Berkeley offers a research fellowship for postdoctoral researchers focused on developing beneficial and human-compatible AI. Fellows work closely with leading AI researchers and have the freedom to pursue original research across various AI disciplines.
Research Areas
Potential research topics include theoretical foundations of intelligent agent architecture, probabilistic programming, long-term decision making, human-robot interaction, and human value alignment. The fellowship provides funding for two years, with a possibility of renewal, and a competitive salary. Visa sponsorship and support are also available.
Eligibility and Application
Applicants must hold or be close to completing a PhD in a relevant technical discipline and demonstrate a strong research record. Modern AI and statistical learning methods knowledge is preferred. Application requirements include a CV, a one-page statement of research interests, and contact details for two academic referees. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of AI safety, governance, and policy fellowships?
These fellowships aim to train and support professionals in guiding the responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence, ensuring it benefits society.
Who is eligible for these fellowships?
Eligibility varies, but many programs target experienced professionals, researchers, students, engineers, and policymakers interested in AI’s societal impact.
What kind of support do these fellowships typically offer?
Fellowships often provide funding, mentorship from experts, research opportunities, networking, and specialized training in AI safety, security, and governance.
Are there fellowships focused on specific regions or demographics?
Yes, some fellowships like the Talos Network focus on Europe, while others, such as the Black in AI Safety and Ethics Fellowship, are dedicated to supporting underrepresented groups in the field.
