Arcadia Impact has opened applications for its Autumn 2026 AI Governance Taskforce, a remote and part-time research programme designed for experienced professionals seeking to transition into careers focused on frontier AI governance and the reduction of catastrophic risks from advanced artificial intelligence.
The programme will bring together approximately 20 Research Associates for a 12-week research experience involving policy research, expert mentorship, multidisciplinary collaboration and the production of policy-relevant research.
Applications for the Autumn 2026 cohort are open until 31 August 2026 Anywhere on Earth (AoE).
What Is the Arcadia Impact AI Governance Taskforce?
The AI Governance Taskforce is a 12-week, global and fully remote research programme aimed at experienced professionals who want to move into frontier AI governance.
Participants commit approximately 8 hours per week, making the programme suitable for professionals who are transitioning into the field while maintaining existing work, study or other commitments.
The programme focuses specifically on reducing catastrophic, acute and systemic risks associated with advanced AI through policy and governance research.
Participants work in small multidisciplinary teams of four under the leadership of a Research Team Leader and alongside an expert partner.
Autumn 2026 Cohort Details
The Autumn 2026 programme is scheduled to run from 12 October 2026 to 15 January 2027, with a two-week year-end break.
The programme includes 12 weeks of research delivery, with participants expected to dedicate at least eight hours each week to their work.
Key programme details include:
- Programme: AI Governance Taskforce
- Cohort: Autumn 2026
- Location: Remote and global
- Duration: 12 weeks
- Time commitment: At least 8 hours per week
- Employment type: Voluntary and unpaid
- Places available: Approximately 20 Research Associate positions
- Eligibility: Global
- Application deadline: 31 August 2026 AoE
Applicants should note that the Taskforce is unpaid. It is structured as a career-development and research opportunity rather than a salaried employment position.
Who Is the Programme Designed For?
Arcadia Impact is seeking professionals who are already seriously considering or actively pursuing a transition into frontier AI governance.
The programme welcomes applicants from a broad range of professional and academic backgrounds. These include:
- Law
- Public policy
- Economics
- Political science
- International relations
- Social sciences
- Humanities
- Management
- Engineering
- Computer science
- Machine learning
- Software engineering
- Systems and safety
- Philosophy
Applicants do not need to have a deep technical understanding of frontier AI to apply.
However, candidates are expected to demonstrate an existing commitment to working on issues related to catastrophic and systemic risks from frontier AI.
What Does the Research Associate Role Involve?
Research Associates work in structured teams alongside a Research Team Leader and an expert partner.
The teams develop research questions and produce outputs designed to contribute to policy discussions surrounding advanced AI.
Research can result in long-form academic-style papers, preprints, policy briefs, policy memos and articles targeted at relevant audiences and stakeholders.
The programme therefore provides participants with practical experience in AI governance research, policy analysis, evidence development and research communication.
Expert Mentorship and Research Networks
A major feature of the Taskforce is access to experienced professionals working across the AI safety and governance ecosystem.
Previous expert partners and contributors have been associated with organisations and initiatives including the UK AI Security Institute, Centre for the Governance of AI, AI Incident Database, MIT AI Risk Initiative, Centre for Long-Term Resilience, SaferAI, The Future Society and academic institutions.
The programme is designed to provide participants with both research experience and professional connections that can support longer-term career transitions into frontier AI governance.
What Does Arcadia Impact Look For?
The selection process places emphasis on several qualities beyond formal academic credentials.
Candidates are expected to demonstrate readiness and drive, particularly evidence that they have already started moving toward frontier AI governance rather than simply exploring whether the field might interest them.
Applicants should also demonstrate situational awareness of the frontier AI landscape, including an understanding of relevant capabilities, actors, risks and existing work.
Another important criterion is the ability to transfer expertise from another discipline into AI governance research.
Strong reasoning, clear writing, research skills, policy skills and the ability to work independently are also valuable.
Self-Direction and Judgement Matter
Arcadia Impact highlights self-direction and judgement as important characteristics for applicants.
The organisation is looking for professionals who can pursue meaningful work without requiring constant direction and who can assess which problems matter and which interventions are realistically tractable.
Candidates should also be able to explain the assumptions behind their judgement and demonstrate openness to changing their views when presented with stronger arguments or new evidence.
Application Process
The Autumn 2026 selection process consists of several stages.
Stage 1 – General application: Applicants submit a CV and short written responses addressing their motivation, readiness, understanding of frontier AI risks, judgement, transferable expertise and self-direction.
Stage 2 – Project application: Shortlisted applicants receive project briefs and can apply to projects that best match their interests and expertise. They complete a short written task related to their selected project.
Stage 3 – Interview: Candidates are invited to a remote interview to discuss their application and experience in greater detail.
Stage 4 – Offers: Successful candidates receive an offer to join a specific research project team.
Arcadia Impact states that no writing sample is required at any stage of the initial application process.
Important Application Dates
Applicants should keep track of the following dates:
- Applications opened: 5 August 2026
- General application deadline: 31 August 2026 AoE
- Stage 2 invitations: By 7 September 2026 AoE
- Project applications deadline: 13 September 2026 AoE
- Interview invitations: By 21 September 2026
- Offers: Week commencing 5 October 2026
- Programme begins: 12 October 2026
The general application deadline corresponds to 12:59 BST on 1 September 2026, according to the programme’s published UK equivalent.
Why This Opportunity May Be Valuable
The AI Governance Taskforce provides professionals from established careers with a structured way to develop experience in a rapidly growing field.
Participants can gain experience in policy research, collaborate with specialists, build professional networks and produce research outputs that demonstrate their ability to contribute to frontier AI governance.
Previous Taskforce participants have gone on to pursue roles, fellowships, research positions and independent initiatives connected to AI governance and AI safety.
For professionals with transferable expertise in policy, law, economics, technology, international relations or related fields, the programme could provide a pathway into a specialised area of emerging technology governance.
How to Apply
Interested candidates can submit their application through the official Arcadia Impact application portal.
Apply for the Arcadia Impact AI Governance Taskforce
Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements and ensure they can commit at least 8 hours per week throughout the programme.
