About the opportunity
The AIxBio Research Fellowship is a 10-week intensive programme designed to accelerate progress on reducing global catastrophic biological risks, particularly those amplified by increasingly capable AI. Running from 18 January to 26 March 2027 in Cambridge, UK, the fellowship supports approximately 15 participants across three distinct tracks: Research, Placement, and Founding. Fellows receive a £10,000 stipend, dedicated workspace, travel and visa support, meals during working hours, and access to a project funding pot and compute resources. Throughout the programme, participants benefit from personalised guidance provided by dedicated ERA Research Managers and expert mentors, alongside practical skills workshops, networking events with the wider Cambridge research community, and full operational and community support. Exceptional participants may also be offered a route to continue via ERA’s in-house Research Scholar positions.
Funding and benefits
- £10,000 total stipend for the 10-week programme
- Travel support and full visa sponsorship for international participants
- Dedicated office workspace at ERA's Cambridge office
- Meals provided during working hours
- Access to expert mentors and dedicated ERA Research Managers
- Dedicated project funding pot and compute resources where useful
- Practical research communication and writing workshops
- Community and wellbeing support, regular social events, and networking with the Cambridge research community
- Potential route to longer-term in-house Research Scholar positions for promising projects and fellows
Who can apply?
- Applicants must be aged 18 or older
- Open to individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and career stages, including graduate students, early-career researchers, experienced researchers, engineers, and founders
- Prior formal research experience is helpful but not required
- Global applicants are welcome, and visa support is provided
Required documents
- Short written application detailing background, interested problems, and perspectives on the intersection of AI and biosecurity
When to apply
- Applications close on October 19th, 2026 for the Winter 2027 Fellowship
- Programme dates run from 18 January to 26 March 2027
How to apply
- Submit a short written application focusing on background and reasoning quality
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview with the ERA team
- Candidates may complete between 0 to 3 short work tests depending on their chosen track
Additional information
- The fellowship operates across three tracks: Research (turning open questions into evidence or tools), Placement (embedding with a biosecurity team on a real workstream), and Founding (testing a neglected biosecurity gap for a dedicated organisation).
- For inquiries, applicants can consult the FAQs or email biosecurity@erafellowship.org.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- You have a strong technical or governance background in AI, machine learning, virology, molecular biology, biophysics, policy, or security, and want to apply it directly to biosecurity.
- You are an aspiring founder or researcher looking for dedicated time, funding, and mentorship to test a concrete biosecurity project or organisation idea.
- You benefit from an immersive, in-person collaborative environment with direct access to expert mentors and peers working on frontier safety.
What should you think carefully about?
- The fellowship requires a 10-week commitment to be physically present in Cambridge, UK.
- It is a fixed-term, intensive programme, meaning you must be prepared to transition out of or balance it with your current academic or professional duties.
- While living and travel costs are supported, participants should verify whether the £10,000 stipend and allowances fully cover their personal financial obligations during the 10 weeks.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This fellowship acts as a high-leverage launchpad for individuals seeking to transition into the biosecurity space, validate a high-risk research question, or kickstart a dedicated venture. It provides immediate financial runway, mentorship, and institutional backing, making it ideal if you want to rapidly test your capacity to create real-world impact in AI safety and biosecurity without committing to a multi-year degree.
Our take
You should seriously consider applying if you are an engineer, scientist, policy professional, or founder eager to dedicate 10 intensive weeks to mitigating catastrophic biological risks in an immersive Cambridge cohort. It is less suitable if you cannot relocate to the UK for the duration of the programme or are looking for long-term secure employment without first going through a selective fellowship cycle.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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