The Cooperative AI Foundation, a UK charity, runs this fellowship for early-career researchers enrolled in, or about to start, a PhD at an accredited university anywhere in the world. Fellows pursue research on multi-agent or cooperation problems involving AI systems at their own university.
The 2026 round closed on 16 November 2025 and 14 fellows were announced in February 2026. The next round has not been announced yet.
Benefits & funding
- Every fellow: yearly conference and compute budgets, with early access to new models where possible.
- Invitations and travel funding for foundation events, plus collaboration with its researchers and network.
- Selected scholars: up to US$40,000 a year for living costs, or a top-up of an existing stipend to that amount.
- Tuition is not covered; support lasts up to three years, renewed yearly while the research stays on cooperative AI.
Eligibility
- Current PhD students, or those aiming to start a PhD in that round’s year, at an accredited university in any country and any department.
- Research must focus on multi-agent or cooperation problems involving AI; aligning one AI agent to one human is generally out of scope.
- You may apply before admission, but funding starts only once you enrol, on the topic you proposed.
- Holding other funding does not bar you; no university nomination is needed.
- No nationality or residence restriction is stated.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Education required
Bachelor Enrolled · Master Enrolled · Bachelor
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Prepare a CV, a two-page research proposal and answers to a few short questions.
- 2Submit through the official online form by the deadline.
- 3Arrange two reference letters, due up to one week after the deadline.
- 4Applications go through screening and full review; a few applicants may be invited to a short call.
Program timeline
16 November 2025, 23:59 AoE
2026 round deadline (closed)
Reference letters due
23 November 2025
6 February 2026
2026 fellows announced
Next round
not yet announced