The Cambridge Boston Alignment Initiative (CBAI) has opened applications for its Fall Research Fellowship in AI Safety 2026, a fully funded ten-week program designed to support emerging researchers pursuing careers in artificial intelligence safety, governance, and alignment. Hosted in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the fellowship will run from 13 October to 18 December 2026, bringing together talented students, graduates, researchers, and professionals interested in addressing the challenges and risks associated with advanced AI systems.
With mentorship from leading experts affiliated with institutions such as Harvard University, MIT, Northeastern University, Goodfire, METR, the Institute for Responsible Superintelligence (RESI), and other prominent organizations, the fellowship offers participants a unique opportunity to develop high-impact research while building valuable connections within the global AI safety community.
About the CBAI AI Safety Research Fellowship
The Cambridge Boston Alignment Initiative is dedicated to advancing research on AI safety, governance, and alignment. Through its fellowship programs, CBAI aims to cultivate the next generation of researchers working to ensure that increasingly capable AI systems remain safe, beneficial, and aligned with human values.
The Fall 2026 fellowship is structured as an intensive, in-person research experience where fellows work closely with experienced mentors and research managers. Participants engage in independent and collaborative research projects while benefiting from workshops, seminars, networking opportunities, and speaker events featuring leading figures in the AI safety ecosystem.
The program is designed to accelerate participants’ careers and help them develop the skills, networks, and research portfolios needed to contribute meaningfully to the rapidly growing field of AI safety.
What Fellows Receive
CBAI provides a comprehensive support package that enables participants to focus entirely on research and professional development throughout the fellowship period.
Benefits include:
- Fully funded participation in the ten-week program.
- Fellowship stipend.
- Accommodation support.
- Meals during the fellowship.
- Dedicated research workspace.
- Personalized mentorship from leading AI safety researchers.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Access to networking events and community activities.
- Research support and guidance.
- Potential extension fellowship opportunities for outstanding participants.
These resources are designed to create an immersive environment where fellows can maximize their learning and research impact.
Research Areas and Fellowship Tracks
Participants can pursue research across several high-priority areas within AI safety and governance.
Research tracks include:
- Technical AI Safety
- AI Governance
- Technical Governance
- Economics of Transformative AI
Projects may focus on topics such as interpretability, formal verification, multi-agent safety, AI risk management frameworks, policy design, governance mechanisms, and emerging challenges associated with advanced AI systems.
The fellowship encourages both technical and interdisciplinary approaches, allowing participants to explore research questions from scientific, policy, economic, legal, and governance perspectives.
World-Class Mentorship
One of the fellowship’s strongest features is access to an exceptional network of mentors drawn from leading universities, research institutes, and AI organizations.
Fall 2026 mentors include experts from:
- Harvard University
- MIT
- Northeastern University
- Goodfire AI
- METR
- Institute for Responsible Superintelligence (RESI)
- Harvard Kennedy School
- University of Houston
- GWU
- Astera Institute
- GovAI
- MIT AI Risk Initiative
- Harvard Law School
Participants receive direct guidance from researchers working at the forefront of AI safety, interpretability, governance, law, and policy, providing valuable insights into both academic and industry research pathways.
Speaker Series and Professional Networking
Throughout the fellowship, participants attend speaker events featuring influential voices in AI safety and alignment research.
Previous speakers have included professionals from:
- Anthropic
- Goodfire
- xAI
- Coefficient Giving
These events provide fellows with opportunities to learn directly from practitioners shaping the future of AI safety research and policy.
The fellowship also benefits from its location in the Cambridge-Boston area, one of the world’s leading hubs for artificial intelligence research. Fellows can connect with researchers, students, policymakers, and organizations across Harvard, MIT, Northeastern University, and the broader AI ecosystem.
Who Should Apply?
The program welcomes applicants from diverse academic and professional backgrounds who are deeply committed to advancing AI safety and responsible AI governance.
Ideal candidates include:
- Undergraduate students.
- Master’s students.
- PhD students.
- Postdoctoral researchers.
- Recent graduates.
- Early-career professionals transitioning into AI safety research.
CBAI places particular emphasis on identifying promising undergraduate researchers, believing that talented students are often overlooked within the field. Several mentors maintain dedicated undergraduate recruitment targets, and undergraduate candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants should demonstrate intellectual curiosity, research potential, and a strong commitment to understanding and mitigating risks associated with advanced AI systems.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Demonstrate a strong interest in AI safety research.
- Be available for the full fellowship period.
- Participate in the in-person program in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
International students already in the United States may participate through OPT or CPT arrangements where applicable. However, CBAI is currently unable to sponsor visas for the Fall 2026 fellowship.
Application Process
The fellowship selection process consists of four stages:
- Submission of the general application form.
- A 15-minute interview with the CBAI team.
- Mentor-specific assessments, coding challenges, or test tasks where applicable.
- A final interview with the prospective mentor.
Applications are reviewed competitively, and candidates are encouraged to clearly articulate their research interests, relevant experience, and long-term goals in AI safety.
Important Dates
Applicants should take note of the following deadline:
- Application Deadline: 6 September 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time
- Program Duration: 13 October – 18 December 2026
- Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Why This Fellowship Matters
As artificial intelligence systems become increasingly powerful and widely deployed, the need for rigorous research on safety, governance, alignment, and risk management continues to grow. The CBAI Fall Research Fellowship offers a rare opportunity for emerging researchers to engage directly with leading experts while contributing to some of the most important questions facing the future of AI.
For students and professionals seeking a fully funded pathway into AI safety research, this fellowship provides mentorship, resources, research experience, and access to one of the world’s most active AI research communities.
