Application Deadline: February 2, 2026
Submissions are now open for the 2026 cohort of the Institute for AI Policy and Strategy (IAPS) AI Policy Fellowship, an immersive, fully-funded three-month initiative. This fellowship is designed for professionals from diverse disciplines who are eager to advance their hands-on policy expertise to help shape a safe and beneficial future amidst the rapid development of powerful artificial intelligence technologies.
Program Duration and Format
The Fellowship runs from June 1 through August 21, 2026, with the option for participants to engage either fully in-person in Washington, D.C., or remotely. Regardless of their chosen mode, all fellows are required to attend a mandatory two-week in-person residency in D.C. from June 1 to June 12. This residency serves as an essential cornerstone of the experience, fostering community and providing critical orientation.
Eligibility and Candidate Profile
The program is open to individuals possessing either policy or technical backgrounds, including but not limited to those working in industry, government agencies, or think tanks. Applicants span a broad spectrum of career stages—from current undergraduate students to veterans with extensive professional experience in their fields. A shared characteristic among all fellows is a strong grasp of their respective subject areas, the AI policy themes emphasized by IAPS, or ideally a combination of both.
Fellowship Structure and Activities
The Fellowship begins with the aforementioned residency where fellows dive deep into the AI policy environment, engage with peers, and interact with IAPS researchers and leading AI policy professionals. After this initial phase, participants spend the subsequent ten weeks collaborating closely with a designated AI policy expert mentor. Under their guidance, fellows develop projects that contribute to shaping both national and international AI policy frameworks.
Core policy topics tackled during the program include:
- National security challenges posed by AI technologies
- Government procurement and acquisition strategies for AI systems
- AI's role in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) capabilities
- Export control policies related to AI
- Policy evaluation methodologies
- Geopolitical implications of AI development and deployment
- Hardware and infrastructure-based regulatory mechanisms
- Region-specific policy questions, including those for the U.S., U.K., and the European Union
The projects undertaken by fellows are tailored in partnership with their mentors and the fellowship coordinators, reflecting a variety of impactful formats. Examples of previous projects include:
- Writing detailed policy briefs or memoranda
- Delivering presentations or briefings to government stakeholders
- Contributing to or authoring comprehensive research reports
- Organizing large-scale international conferences involving hundreds of participants
- Publishing op-eds highlighting critical or overlooked AI policy challenges
- Advising think tanks on strategic expansion into new jurisdictions
- Optimizing operations for emerging AI policy organizations
- Designing and facilitating Track II diplomatic events
These tangible deliverables not only enhance fellows’ professional credentials within AI policy but also contribute meaningfully to the field’s evolving landscape.
Fellowship Benefits
In addition to the invaluable mentorship with leading AI policy experts, fellows gain access to:
- Weekly personalized coaching sessions focused on career growth, project management skills, and productivity enhancement, provided by an IAPS Fellowship Coordinator
- Continuous support and detailed feedback from IAPS researchers and policy staff, including participation in weekly work-in-progress review sessions
- Networking opportunities through a professional community, especially during the two-week in-person kickoff in Washington, D.C.
- Selective financial assistance aimed at facilitating career transitions following the conclusion of the Fellowship program
Financial Package
The Fellowship offers a stipend to support full-time engagement over the three-month duration. Senior Fellows receive $22,000, while Fellows are awarded $15,000. This financial support enables participants to dedicate themselves fully to their projects without external employment obligations.
Daily Fellowship Experience
Fellows typically operate independently on their assigned projects, which may encompass drafting policy documents, preparing government briefings, and managing significant convenings. Weekly check-ins with both their assigned mentor and an IAPS program manager guide progress and ensure alignment with objectives. The Fellowship culminates in a final presentation where fellows showcase their work and reflect on their learning outcomes.
For detailed information and to apply, please Visit the Official Webpage of the Institute for AI Policy and Strategy (IAPS) AI Policy Fellowship.
