The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) is inviting applications for its AI Safety Policy Entrepreneurship Fellowship, an opportunity for early- and mid-career professionals interested in translating frontier artificial intelligence safety ideas into practical policy solutions.
The fellowship is designed for individuals who want to bridge the gap between technical expertise, emerging AI risks and public policy.
Fellows will work on an actionable policy project, receive mentorship and policy-engagement training, and have opportunities to interact with relevant decision-makers.
The fellowship provides a $5,000 stipend, with an additional $1,000 merit award available. Selected participants can also receive travel support for eligible in-person activities.
The programme is expected to run from 30 September 2026 to 28 February 2027, requiring approximately five hours per week. It follows a hybrid format, combining remote participation with selected in-person activities.
Applications close on 7 September 2026 at 11:59 PM ET.
AI Safety Policy Entrepreneurship Fellowship
The FAS fellowship focuses on the growing need for practical policy responses to the opportunities and risks associated with frontier AI.
As artificial intelligence systems become increasingly capable, governments, researchers, companies and civil society organizations are exploring how to address issues such as AI safety, cybersecurity, compute governance, transparency and accountability.
The fellowship provides participants with an opportunity to take ideas in these areas and develop them into concrete policy proposals.
Rather than focusing exclusively on academic research, the programme emphasizes actionable policy development and engagement with decision-makers.
What Will Fellows Receive?
One of the key benefits of the programme is its financial support.
Selected fellows will receive:
- $5,000 fellowship stipend
- Additional $1,000 merit award available
- Travel support for selected eligible in-person expenses
- Policy-engagement training
- Mentorship
- Opportunities to engage relevant decision-makers
- Experience developing and publishing a policy memo
- Participation in a network focused on AI safety and policy
The combination of financial support, mentorship and practical policy experience makes the fellowship potentially valuable for professionals seeking to develop careers at the intersection of technology and public policy.
What Will Fellows Do?
Participants will develop and publish an actionable policy memo addressing an issue connected to frontier AI safety or governance.
The policy memo is intended to move beyond identifying problems by presenting practical ideas that policymakers and other stakeholders can consider.
Fellows will also receive training designed to strengthen their ability to engage effectively with policymakers and other relevant audiences.
Through mentorship and engagement opportunities, participants can gain insight into how technical and subject-matter expertise can be translated into policy recommendations.
Potential Fellowship Themes
The programme can accommodate work across several areas related to frontier AI and emerging technology policy.
Potential themes include:
- Frontier AI safety
- AI governance
- Cybersecurity
- AI risk assessment
- Compute governance
- Transparency and accountability
These themes provide opportunities for applicants from different professional backgrounds to identify policy questions that align with their expertise and interests.
Who Is Eligible?
The fellowship welcomes applicants from varied professional and academic backgrounds.
It is particularly suited to early- and mid-career professionals who want to translate technical knowledge or subject-matter expertise into meaningful policy impact.
Relevant backgrounds may include:
- AI research
- Academia
- Think tanks
- Civil society
- Law
- Cybersecurity
- National security
- Technology industry
- Public policy
Applicants do not necessarily need to come from a traditional AI research background. Professionals with expertise in related fields may also be well positioned to contribute, particularly where their experience can inform practical approaches to AI safety and governance.
Opportunity for African Applicants
The fellowship may also be relevant to professionals across Africa who are building expertise in artificial intelligence, technology governance, cybersecurity, public policy and international affairs.
According to the call information provided, there is no nationality restriction, meaning qualified applicants from African countries can apply.
African participation in discussions around AI governance is increasingly important as governments, businesses and civil society organizations consider how AI can contribute to development while managing associated risks.
Professionals from the continent with relevant technical, policy or subject-matter expertise can therefore consider whether their experience aligns with the fellowship’s objectives.
Flexible Time Commitment
The fellowship is structured around a relatively manageable weekly commitment.
Participants are expected to dedicate approximately five hours per week during the fellowship period.
The programme is scheduled to run from 30 September 2026 through 28 February 2027.
This structure may make the opportunity particularly attractive to professionals who are already working or studying but want to undertake a focused policy-development project alongside their existing commitments.
Hybrid Fellowship With In-Person Activities
Although the fellowship is hybrid, participants should be prepared for selected in-person activities.
The programme includes an in-person retreat in California and a capstone event in Washington, DC.
Travel support is available for selected eligible in-person expenses, according to the fellowship’s terms.
Applicants should therefore review the official programme requirements carefully to understand participation expectations and any conditions relating to travel support.
Why This Fellowship Matters
AI policy is becoming an increasingly important area for governments, international organizations, technology companies and civil society.
Professionals who understand both the technical and policy dimensions of emerging technologies can play an important role in shaping responsible approaches to AI development and deployment.
The FAS fellowship provides an opportunity to develop practical experience in this area while producing a policy output that can contribute to broader discussions around AI safety.
For professionals seeking to move from research or technical expertise toward policy influence, the programme offers a structured pathway to develop policy writing, stakeholder engagement and decision-maker communication skills.
Key Fellowship Details
| Opportunity | Details |
|---|---|
| Fellowship | AI Safety Policy Entrepreneurship Fellowship |
| Organization | Federation of American Scientists |
| Stipend | $5,000 |
| Merit award | Additional $1,000 available |
| Time commitment | Approximately 5 hours per week |
| Format | Hybrid |
| Fellowship period | 30 September 2026 – 28 February 2027 |
| In-person activities | California retreat and Washington, DC capstone |
| Eligible applicants | Early- and mid-career professionals from varied backgrounds |
| Nationality restriction | No nationality restriction stated in the call |
| Application deadline | 7 September 2026, 11:59 PM ET |
How to Apply
Professionals interested in the AI Safety Policy Entrepreneurship Fellowship should review the official call carefully and ensure that their application demonstrates relevant expertise, policy interests and the ability to contribute to practical discussions around frontier AI.
Applicants should pay particular attention to the programme’s requirements, fellowship expectations and application instructions before submitting their materials.
With the deadline approaching, prospective fellows should begin preparing their applications early.
Application deadline: 7 September 2026 at 11:59 PM ET.
LEARN MORE & APPLY HERE
This is a particularly relevant opportunity for professionals interested in AI safety, AI governance, cybersecurity, technology policy, national security and responsible innovation who want to turn their expertise into practical policy recommendations.
