The AI Policy Fellowship is a fully-funded, three-month professional development program run by the Institute for AI Policy and Strategy (IAPS), a nonpartisan think tank working on AI governance at the intersection of national security and geopolitics. It helps people with strong judgment build practical policy skills for addressing frontier-AI challenges, working alongside IAPS researchers and mentors. Roughly 30 fellows are selected each cohort across two tiers — Fellows and Senior Fellows. The program can be done fully remotely or in person in Washington, D.C., but every fellow attends a mandatory two-week in-person residency in D.C. at the start.
Benefits & funding
- Stipend: US$15,000 for Fellows; US$22,000 for Senior Fellows, over the three-month term
- Healthcare benefits and a professional development stipend
- Travel and accommodation support for the two-week Washington, D.C. residency
- Mentorship from IAPS researchers and access to its AI-policy network
Eligibility
- Open to all nationalities; no technical background and no prior policy experience required
- Demonstrated interest in IAPS’s research priorities and strong judgment about AI’s implications
- The in-person D.C. option requires the right to work in the U.S. during the fellowship
- The remote option is available in many countries, subject to country-specific legal and administrative constraints
Application process
- 1Submit the online application form.
- 2Complete a 3-hour written task and a pre-recorded 30-minute interview.
- 3Attend a 60-minute live interview with an IAPS team member; approximately 30 fellows are selected.
Program timeline
Application deadline (23:59 Pacific)
Feb 2, 2026
Selection finalized
Late April 2026
Mandatory in-person residency, Washington, D.C.
Jun 1, 2026 to Jun 12, 2026
Three-month fellowship term
Jun 1, 2026 to Aug 21, 2026
Next cohort applications expected to reopen (sign up to the IAPS newsletter for notice)
Around January 2027