NetHope has opened applications for an AI Fellowship Consultant to lead the design and management of a new AI research fellowship programme. The consultancy provides an opportunity for an experienced AI research and programme professional to develop a fellowship structure, recruit and mentor fellows, and oversee the production of rigorous research outputs.
The engagement is fully virtual and welcomes qualified consultants from diverse backgrounds and locations globally. The consultant will report to the Director of the Center for the Digital Nonprofit and will serve as the research lead for the fellowship.
The consultancy is scheduled to run from August 31, 2026, to March 15, 2027, with an estimated workload of 20 hours per week, equivalent to approximately 560 hours over the engagement.
About the AI Fellowship Consultant Role
The selected consultant will be responsible for designing the fellowship programme and establishing the research framework under which fellows will work.
The engagement will include developing the fellowship concept, establishing research agendas, creating selection criteria, supporting recruitment, onboarding successful candidates, and providing ongoing research direction and quality oversight.
The fellowship cohort will consist of a minimum of four fellows, with the research period expected to run from approximately November 2026 through February 12, 2027.
Key Responsibilities and Deliverables
The consultant will lead several stages of the fellowship, from programme design through final research outputs.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing the fellowship concept note and recommended research structure.
- Identifying research periods and focus areas such as AI adoption, use cases, technical considerations, and safety.
- Developing research agendas in consultation with the Director of the Center for the Digital Nonprofit.
- Creating a working calendar covering milestones, fellow check-ins, and programme touchpoints.
- Establishing checkpoints for NetHope subject-matter experts to review research progress.
- Defining expected weekly time commitments for fellows.
- Recommending suitable fellow profiles and career levels.
- Establishing quality-control processes for research, writing, and analysis.
- Developing the fellowship application form.
- Preparing recruitment materials and recommending appropriate recruitment channels.
- Supporting the recruitment and selection process.
- Conducting an initial review of applications and interviews where appropriate.
- Presenting a shortlist of candidates to NetHope for final selection.
- Selecting a minimum cohort of four fellows in collaboration with NetHope.
- Onboarding selected fellows and explaining programme expectations, research direction, and deliverable timelines.
- Providing research guidance and quality oversight throughout the fellowship.
- Conducting regular progress meetings with the programme director.
- Leading the development of final research products.
- Conducting at least one stakeholder briefing to share research findings.
- Producing a pilot fellowship reflections document and recommendations for future programme development.
Research Outputs and Fixed Deadlines
Each fellow is expected to produce at least one research product. Two fellows may collaborate on a single product where appropriate.
All final research products must be completed by February 12, 2027.
The consultant must also produce a pilot fellowship reflections document capturing lessons learned throughout the programme and proposing next steps for continuing or scaling the fellowship model.
This reflections product must be completed by February 26, 2027.
NetHope notes that these February deadlines are fixed. If the engagement starts later than planned, the research period will be compressed rather than the deadlines being extended.
Required Qualifications
The consultancy is intended for professionals with demonstrated experience in AI research programme leadership and participant-based research initiatives.
Required qualifications include:
- Demonstrated experience designing and directing AI research programmes.
- Experience with fellowship or cohort-based research models is particularly relevant.
- Programme or curriculum design experience.
- Experience establishing selection criteria and structuring multi-participant research processes.
- Programme leadership experience.
- A track record of guiding independent researchers or contributors toward rigorous shared outputs.
Preferred experience includes previously running fellowships or cohort-based research programmes.
Familiarity with Global South contexts and nonprofit or humanitarian operating environments is also considered advantageous.
Consultancy Terms and Compensation
This is an hourly consultancy engagement. Applicants are required to propose their hourly rate in USD as part of their submission.
The estimated workload is 20 hours per week, with actual hours potentially varying according to the programme phase. Payments will be made monthly following submission of invoices detailing hours worked and the work completed.
Fellows will receive a separate stipend paid directly by NetHope. The stipend is outside the consultant’s fee.
The fellows will be named authors of the research products they produce, while NetHope will retain publication rights and determine distribution.
Application Deadline and Selection Timeline
The proposal deadline is August 17, 2026.
The anticipated selection schedule is:
- August 17, 2026: Proposal deadline.
- August 18–24, 2026: Proposal review.
- August 26, 2026: Selection decision communicated.
- August 31, 2026: Expected engagement start.
- March 15, 2027: Engagement end.
NetHope reserves the right to select a consultant before the closing date due to the anticipated volume of submissions.
How to Apply
Interested consultants should submit their proposal through the application link provided by NetHope by August 17, 2026.
The proposal should include:
- A brief overview of relevant experience and proposed approach.
- A work plan or methodology.
- A proposed schedule covering deliverables and the recruitment period.
- Proposed hourly rate in USD.
- Two to three references from similar engagements.
- CV or professional profile.
Selected candidates will also be required to comply with NetHope’s AI Policy and complete an AI Disclosure Form before beginning the engagement.
The consultancy offers an opportunity for an experienced AI research professional to help establish a new fellowship model, mentor emerging researchers, and shape research outputs relevant to the nonprofit and humanitarian sectors.
