The AIxBio Research Fellowship 2027 is now accepting applications from researchers, entrepreneurs, scientists, and policy professionals passionate about strengthening global biosecurity in the age of advanced artificial intelligence. Hosted in Cambridge, United Kingdom, this prestigious fully funded 10-week fellowship brings together interdisciplinary talent to tackle some of the world’s most pressing biological and AI-related security challenges.
Applications close on 19 October 2026.
| Host | ERA in partnership with the Cambridge Biosecurity Hub |
|---|---|
| Programme | AIxBio Research Fellowship 2027 |
| Location | Cambridge, United Kingdom |
| Duration | 10 weeks (18 January – 26 March 2027) |
| Funding | Fully funded |
| Eligible Applicants | Researchers, entrepreneurs, scientists & policy professionals |
| Application Deadline | 19 October 2026 |
About the AIxBio Research Fellowship
The AIxBio Research Fellowship is designed to accelerate research and innovation that reduces catastrophic biological risks, particularly those amplified by rapidly advancing AI technologies.
As frontier AI becomes increasingly capable of biological reasoning, research automation, and molecular design, the need for stronger biosecurity systems has never been greater. The fellowship supports outstanding individuals working across artificial intelligence, biotechnology, life sciences, public policy, biosecurity, and entrepreneurship to develop practical solutions that improve global resilience.
Participants will spend ten weeks working in Cambridge alongside expert mentors, research managers, and a community of leading thinkers dedicated to safeguarding society against emerging biological threats.
What Does the Fellowship Offer?
The programme is fully funded, allowing fellows to focus entirely on impactful research and collaboration.
Selected fellows will receive:
- Full funding for the 10-week programme
- Residence in Cambridge, UK
- Dedicated research management support
- Mentorship from leading experts in AI and biosecurity
- Access to an interdisciplinary community of researchers and entrepreneurs
- Opportunities to continue promising projects through longer-term Research Scholar positions
Rather than supporting theoretical discussions alone, the fellowship emphasizes producing concrete research outcomes and practical interventions.
Research Areas and Open Problems
Applicants are encouraged to investigate neglected and high-impact questions at the intersection of AI and biosecurity.
Example research themes include:
- Evaluating biological capabilities of frontier AI models
- AI safety and biological misuse prevention
- DNA synthesis screening and security
- Biosecurity policy and governance
- Pathogen detection and early-warning systems
- AI-assisted countermeasure development
- Biotechnology risk assessment
- Catastrophic biological risk mitigation
The fellowship particularly welcomes projects capable of informing government policy, industry safeguards, or scientific best practice.
Who Should Apply?
The programme is intentionally interdisciplinary and seeks applicants from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
Strong candidates may include:
- AI researchers
- Computational biologists
- Biosecurity specialists
- Public policy researchers
- Biomedical scientists
- Engineers
- Startup founders
- Entrepreneurs building safety-focused technologies
- Professionals interested in biological risk governance
Applicants do not need identical backgrounds; the programme values complementary expertise and collaborative problem-solving.
Why Cambridge?
ERA has spent more than five years building a thriving research community in Cambridge, believing that breakthrough ideas emerge through close collaboration, spontaneous conversations, and interdisciplinary exchange.
The fellowship is therefore conducted entirely in person, enabling participants to work closely with peers, mentors, policymakers, and technical experts while developing long-term professional networks that extend beyond the programme.
Its broader mission is to cultivate a global community committed to reducing catastrophic biological risks through sustained research, innovation, and institutional leadership.
Fellowship Timeline
The 2027 cohort follows the schedule below:
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications close | 19 October 2026 |
| Fellowship begins | 18 January 2027 |
| Programme duration | 10 weeks |
| Fellowship ends | 26 March 2027 |
Successful applicants will relocate to Cambridge for the full duration of the programme.
How to Prepare a Strong Application
Competitive applications typically demonstrate both technical excellence and a clear commitment to solving real-world biosecurity challenges.
Before applying, applicants should:
- Identify a concrete biosecurity problem they want to address.
- Demonstrate expertise in AI, biology, policy, or related disciplines.
- Show how their project could contribute to practical societal resilience.
- Highlight collaborative research or entrepreneurial experience where relevant.
- Explain why the Cambridge research environment is important for their work.
The fellowship is especially interested in individuals willing to take ownership of ambitious, neglected problems with significant public impact.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their application through the official AIxBio Research Fellowship application portal before 19 October 2026. Applicants are encouraged to review the programme FAQs and fellowship guidance carefully before submitting their materials.
