AI and Society Fellowship
Globalby Center for AI Safety (CAIS)
A 3-month in-person research fellowship in San Francisco for academics studying how advanced AI reshapes social, economic, geopolitical, and legal systems.
Apply Now$25,000 stipend + travel and meals covered
3 months (June–August)
Global
Open to professors, PhD/JD holders, current PhD/JD students, and researchers with equivalent experience in economics, international relations, law, political philosophy, security studies, or adjacent disciplines. Must be able to work in-person in San Francisco. Prior AI research experience not required. Visa sponsorship available.
Annual (applications open in winter)
3/21/2026
March 24, 2026
About This Fellowship
The AI and Society Fellowship is a summer research program run by the Center for AI Safety (CAIS), one of the leading organizations in AI safety research. The fellowship brings together professors, PhD students, JD holders, and experienced researchers from fields like economics, international relations, law, political philosophy, and security studies to spend three months producing original research on AI's societal impact.
Fellows receive a $25,000 stipend, covered travel to San Francisco, and daily meals at the CAIS office. The program provides significant research autonomy — fellows pursue their own projects with access to CAIS's internal expertise, partner network, and regular workshops with leading AI researchers and academics.
What sets this fellowship apart is its interdisciplinary focus: prior AI research experience is not required. CAIS is looking for strong researchers from the social sciences, humanities, and law who can bring rigorous frameworks to questions about AI governance, institutional responses, and societal impact. J-1 visa sponsorship is available for international applicants.
What You Get
A fully-supported research residency with financial support and access to the AI safety research community.
- $25,000 stipend for the 3-month fellowship period
- Travel to/from San Francisco covered
- Daily lunch and dinner at the CAIS office
- Case-by-case relocation cost support beyond flights
- J-1 Short-Term Scholar visa sponsorship for international fellows
- Access to CAIS internal expertise and partner network
- Regular guest speakers, workshops, and social events with AI researchers
Selection Process
A competitive application process evaluated on research quality, proposal strength, and potential contribution to AI governance scholarship.
- Application deadline: March 24, 2026 at 11:59 PM PDT
- Required materials: CV, writing sample, brief research proposal, fellowship goals statement
- Selected applicants invited for remote interviews
- Final decisions communicated by mid-April
- Program runs June 1 – August 21, 2026
Who Should Apply
Academics and researchers from social sciences, law, and policy who want to apply their expertise to questions about advanced AI and its societal implications.
- Professors (Full, Associate, or Assistant) in relevant disciplines
- PhD/JD holders or current PhD/JD students
- Researchers with PhD/JD-equivalent experience
- Disciplines: economics, international relations, law, political philosophy, security studies, or adjacent fields
- Prior AI research experience NOT required
- Must be able to work in-person in San Francisco for the full program
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