Applications are now open for the Pathfinder Fellowship Fall 2026, a competitive programme that supports university students leading or building campus communities focused on AI safety and AI policy. Organized by Kairos AI Project, the fellowship equips student organizers with mentorship, funding, training, and career development opportunities to strengthen AI safety initiatives at universities worldwide.
The fellowship is designed for students organizing technical AI safety or AI policy groups on campus, helping them build thriving communities while preparing for careers addressing the opportunities and risks associated with transformative artificial intelligence.
Applications close on July 28, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Anywhere on Earth (AoE).
Supporting the Next Generation of AI Safety Leaders
As artificial intelligence continues to advance rapidly, the need for skilled professionals working on AI safety, governance, and policy has grown significantly. The Pathfinder Fellowship aims to strengthen this emerging field by supporting students who are introducing AI safety discussions, research, and technical learning opportunities within their universities.
The programme provides practical support that enables fellows to expand their campus groups, organize educational activities, and develop leadership skills while contributing to the global AI safety ecosystem.
What the Fellowship Offers
Successful fellows receive a comprehensive package of financial, professional, and community support throughout the programme.
Participants benefit from:
- Funding to support university group activities.
- Personalized mentorship from experienced AI safety organizers.
- Access to a global community of AI safety student leaders.
- Career guidance from professionals working in leading AI safety organizations.
- Workshops covering community building, outreach, and organizational leadership.
- Access to the AI Safety Groups Resource Center containing practical guides and educational materials.
Graduate student organizers may also apply for a stipend to support the time they dedicate to managing their university group.
Funding for Campus Activities
Pathfinder fellows can apply for financial support to strengthen their campus initiatives.
Funding may be used for activities such as:
- Educational workshops.
- Guest speaker events.
- Technical computing resources.
- Reading groups.
- Student outreach activities.
- Community events and networking sessions.
- Meeting expenses, including refreshments for participants.
The funding is intended to help organizers build sustainable AI safety communities within their universities.
Mentorship from Experienced AI Safety Leaders
Each fellow is paired with an experienced mentor who provides tailored guidance throughout the programme.
Mentors assist participants by:
- Supporting strategic planning for campus organizations.
- Sharing practical experience from successful AI safety communities.
- Helping organizers overcome operational challenges.
- Providing advice on outreach, event planning, and long-term group development.
- Offering career guidance related to AI safety research and policy.
This individualized mentorship enables fellows to accelerate both their organizational impact and professional growth.
Career Development Opportunities
The fellowship also serves as a career development programme for students interested in AI safety and governance.
Many Pathfinder mentors have professional experience at leading organizations including:
- METR.
- RAND.
- Anthropic.
According to the organizers, recent Pathfinder participants have progressed to opportunities with organizations and programmes such as:
- Coefficient Giving.
- Constellation.
- UK AI Security Institute (UK AISI).
- Redwood Research.
- MATS.
- Astra.
- Generator.
- Horizon.
These pathways provide participants with opportunities to continue developing expertise in technical AI safety, governance, and policy research.
Learning Through Community
Beyond mentorship, Pathfinder emphasizes peer learning through an active international network of student organizers.
Participants gain access to:
- Interactive workshops.
- Slack community discussions.
- Virtual coffee chats.
- Resource sharing.
- Collaborative problem-solving with organizers from universities around the world.
The programme currently supports a growing global network of 86 active AI safety groups spanning universities across Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, South America, and Oceania.
Who Should Apply?
The fellowship is intended for students actively organizing or helping lead university groups focused on:
- Technical AI safety.
- AI alignment.
- AI governance.
- AI policy.
- Responsible AI.
- AI ethics with a strong safety focus.
Applicants do not necessarily have to be the primary organizer of their group, and multiple organizers from the same university group may apply, subject to the programme’s selection process.
The fellowship welcomes participants from universities worldwide.
Why Organize an AI Safety Community?
According to Kairos, organizing university communities represents one of the most impactful ways students can contribute to the growing AI safety ecosystem.
By creating opportunities for fellow students to learn about AI safety, governance, and technical alignment research, organizers help expand the global pipeline of researchers, engineers, and policymakers working to ensure advanced AI systems are developed responsibly.
The programme also enables fellows to strengthen their own leadership, technical knowledge, and professional networks while contributing to one of the world’s fastest-evolving research fields.
About Kairos
The Pathfinder Fellowship is delivered by Kairos AI Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping society navigate the transition to transformative artificial intelligence.
In addition to Pathfinder, Kairos operates several complementary initiatives, including:
- SPAR (Supervised Program for Alignment Research), providing research opportunities for early-career AI safety researchers.
- Generator Residency, a three-month programme supporting projects that strengthen AI safety infrastructure.
- Global Challenges Project, an intensive workshop series exploring AI safety and biosecurity.
Together, these programmes aim to cultivate talent and strengthen global capacity in AI safety research, governance, and policy.
Application Deadline
Applications for the Pathfinder Fellowship Fall 2026 are currently open.
Key dates include:
- Application deadline: July 28, 2026
- Closing time: 11:59 p.m. Anywhere on Earth (AoE)
Students leading AI safety or AI policy initiatives at their universities are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline and take advantage of this opportunity to access funding, mentorship, and a global network dedicated to building safer and more responsible artificial intelligence.
