The AI Rapid Response Fellowship is a focused Horizon Institute for Public Service initiative for experienced technical and policy professionals. Fellows work full-time for an initial year in US federal executive-branch offices on AI security, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, national security, and related policy challenges.
Most placements are in Washington, DC, while a small number may be remote or based in another host-agency city such as San Francisco. The 2026 application round closed on July 27.
Benefits & funding
- Fellow track salary: US$170,000–US$200,000 or more, plus an additional benefits stipend.
- Senior Fellow compensation: starting at US$250,000, plus an additional benefits stipend, adjusted for placement seniority.
- Initial full-time placement of one year; renewal may be possible if funding and the host office permit.
- Professional-development budget, expert briefings, community access, continuing career support, and Horizon network access after the fellowship.
- Relocation stipend and support for candidates moving to the Washington, DC area.
Eligibility
- US citizenship is required.
- Applicants need expertise relevant to AI security, which may come from technical or policy work, including AI or machine learning, cybersecurity, national security, critical infrastructure, biosecurity, intelligence, supply chains, or US-China policy.
- Relevant work experience is required, but Horizon gives only typical track profiles rather than hard year thresholds: about 2–6 or more years for Fellows and about 10–15 or more years for Senior Fellows.
- Strong written and verbal communication is required.
- A current or previous security clearance is preferred, not required.
- No degree, age, gender, or residency requirement is stated.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Eligible nationalities
USA
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Application process
- 1Submit the shared application and indicate interest in the Fellow track, Senior Fellow track, or both.
- 2Advancing applicants complete interviews, a short work test, and reference checks.
- 3Horizon makes initial finalist offers, after which finalists explore matches with prospective federal host offices.
- 4Participation becomes final only when the candidate accepts a concrete host-office offer.
Program timeline
Application round announced.
July 1, 2026
Application deadline.
July 27, 2026
Following weeks
Interviews, short work test, and reference checks.
Initial finalist offers expected.
Early to mid-September 2026
After finalist selection
Host-office matching begins.
Fall 2026 onward
Earliest placements may start, subject to host-office and administrative requirements.