University of Oxford Accelerator Fellowship Programme 2025/2026 (£2,000 stipend)

Deadline: January 10, 2026

Applications are open for the University of Oxford Accelerator Fellowship Programme 2025/2026. The Accelerator Fellowship Programme is a pioneering initiative of the Institute for Ethics in AI, designed to address the urgent ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence. Grounded in philosophical inquiry, academic independence, and a humanistic, collaborative ethos, the programme supports work that delivers real-world impact through:

• New professional development opportunities
• Strategic networks and alliances
• Practical and policy-based solutions in AI ethics

Each fellowship centres on impact-driven work under one of the following themes:

• AI and Creativity
• AI in Care, Mental Health and Healthcare
• AI and Humanity
• AI, Law and Policy

Benefits

Each award includes:

• A monthly stipend of £2,000 to support accommodation, travel, food, and living expenses
• On a case-by-case basis they would consider support for project-related costs such as:
  • Workshops
  • Seminars
  • Public exhibitions or events

Fellows will benefit from:

• Access to networks and resources to support research, shape policy, and create real-world impact
• Intellectual engagement and guidance, working alongside Oxford researchers
• Increased visibility through participation in seminars, public discussions, and collaborative events
• A flexible structure, allowing fellows to integrate the programme into their existing professional commitments

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply if:

• You hold a Masters or have equivalent professional standing (eg: a minimum of 5 years professional experience in a relevant field)
• Your project aligns with the Accelerator Fellowship Programme’s mission and research remit

The programme is open to applicants worldwide. Proficiency in English is required.

• Creativity Fellows may have a background in the creative sectors, or may be working on topics specifically relating to AI and human creativity or AI and creativity
• Care Fellows will be people with a background or interest in how AI is impacting health, social care and/or mental health.
• Humanity Fellows may have a background or focus on any of the humanities. Humanity Fellows may also be computer scientists, working on AI development/evaluation or the impact of AI on society.
• AI, Law & Policy Fellows may have a background in government, policy, civil society and/or may be working on law and policy related topics

Application

• Step one: Applicants should first complete an application form
• Step two: Email the following three documents as a single PDF file not exceeding 10MB using the naming convention ‘Surname_Name_Month_Year_AFP application’ to [email protected] with the subject title ‘AFP Fellowship Application‘.
  • Document one: a one-page project, statement outlining:
    • The focus of your work
    • Desired outcomes and specific outputs
    • How your project aligns with the programme’s goals
    • Potential for societal, policy, or business impact
    • Opportunities for longer-term collaboration
    • If applicable, include a project-proposal for any project related costs for events, workshops, exhibitions, seminars.
  • Document two: a motivation letter.
  • Document three: a two-page CV.

For more information, visit Accelerator Fellowship Programme.