SPAR is a part-time research program run by Kairos AI Project, Inc. It pairs aspiring researchers with experienced mentors for remote projects addressing risks from advanced AI. Fall 2026 projects span technical AI safety, policy and governance, AI security, interpretability, biosecurity, and societal impacts. Participants complete structured research and present their work at a virtual Demo Day.
Benefits & funding
- SPAR covers project expenses, including computing resources and access to APIs and large language models.
- Mentees receive structured guidance and regular feedback from an experienced research mentor.
- Participants join a research team and present at a virtual Demo Day attended by AI safety organizations.
- SPAR does not personally compensate mentors or mentees; its financial support is for project expenses rather than a personal stipend.
Eligibility
- The program is open worldwide with no nationality or residency requirement.
- There is no age or degree requirement; high school students, university students, graduate and PhD students, and professionals may apply.
- Previous research experience is not required. Relevant technical, policy, governance, or other project-specific knowledge can strengthen fit.
- Individual projects may state skill or time-zone preferences, but these are not universal program gates.
- Accepted mentees are generally expected to contribute the hours agreed with their project, typically 5–20 hours per week.
Can you apply?
Open to all applicants
No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.
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Application process
- 1Browse the Fall 2026 project list and identify projects that match the applicant’s skills and interests.
- 2Select one or more projects and place them in preference order in the mentee application.
- 3Submit the online form with a resume, background details, availability, location, and all required project-specific responses by August 18, 2026, Anywhere on Earth.
- 4Mentors review applications and may invite applicants to an interview or short trial task.
- 5Mentors and applicants submit rankings, after which SPAR runs a matching process and releases decisions.
Program timeline
Mentee application period opened
July 28, 2026
Mentee application deadline, end of day Anywhere on Earth
August 18, 2026
Mentee decisions released
September 4, 2026
Research period begins
September 14, 2026
Research period ends
December 14, 2026
Virtual Demo Day
December 19, 2026
Optional project continuation
After December 14, 2026