About the opportunity
The GovAI UK Summer Fellowship is a three-month seasonal program based in London designed to accelerate or launch impactful careers in artificial intelligence governance and policy. Participants in the Research Track pursue an independent research project of their choice under the guidance of a dedicated supervisor from the GovAI team or extended network. Fellows spend their first two weeks exploring the AI governance landscape before finalizing a research proposal, aiming to produce publications such as white papers, reports, journal articles, or policy op-eds. Alongside independent research, fellows participate in weekly seminars, expert Q&A sessions, skill-building workshops, peer feedback meetings, and networking events, engaging directly with researchers and decision-makers across government, academia, and industry.
Funding and benefits
- £14,000 salary for the 12-week fellowship period
- Financial support for travel to and from London
- Complimentary weekday lunches provided at the London office
- Dedicated office workspace and desk in London
- Temporary UK work visa sponsorship for international fellows
- Financial compensation for participating in the second-round remote work test
Who can apply?
- Open to applicants worldwide, ranging from early-career researchers to experienced policy professionals
- Demonstrated serious interest in contributing to AI governance and helping decision-makers navigate the transition to advanced AI
- Strong ability to produce clearly written, insightful, well-reasoned, and even-handed research
- Relevant expertise or background in fields such as public policy, political science, computer science, economics, biosecurity, cybersecurity, China studies, risk management, or adjacent areas
- Good judgment regarding research prioritization and feasibility of different project directions
- Intellectual honesty, rigor, openness to feedback, and comfort expressing uncertainty
- No specific degree requirements, though relevant graduate study or research experience is typical of competitive applicants
Required documents
- Completed online application form
- Abstract reasoning assessment (approximately 20 minutes, completed if invited after initial screening)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) and adjustment request (for senior candidates requesting participation accommodations)
- References (contact details requested during the third-round interview stage)
When to apply
- Applications opened: October 27, 2026
- Application deadline: Sunday, November 22, 2026, at 23:59 GMT (UK time)
- Round 2 invitations for paid remote work test: January 2027
- Round 3 remote interviews and reference checks: February 2027
- Final admissions decisions communicated: March 2027
- Fellowship dates: June 7, 2027 – August 27, 2027
How to apply
- Submit the initial online written application before the November 22, 2026 deadline.
- Complete a short 20-minute automated abstract reasoning assessment if invited after initial application review.
- Take part in a paid remote work test in January 2027 if advanced to the second selection stage.
- Attend a remote interview and provide professional references in February 2027 if shortlisted for round three.
- Receive final selection notification in March 2027 and complete visa application and due diligence checks if selected.
- Senior candidates seeking accommodations should email fellowships@governance.ai with 'senior candidate uk summer fellowship 2027' in the subject line, attaching a CV and explaining the required adjustments.
Additional information
- The fellowship is an intensive full-time, in-person position based in London, UK, running from June 7 to August 27, 2027.
- Fellows with childcare or other caregiving responsibilities may work remotely up to two days per week while maintaining full salary.
- International fellows requiring visa sponsorship must remain in their country of visa application while processing is underway.
- Depending on the role and legal compliance requirements, candidates may undergo background checks, due diligence, and sanctions screening.
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…
- Researchers and policy analysts with strong analytical writing skills eager to focus on frontier AI risk, technical governance, or regulation.
- Early-career scholars, graduate students, or mid-career cross-disciplinary professionals from economics, computer science, law, or security studies pivoting into AI governance.
- Self-directed thinkers who thrive under open research questions and value direct mentorship from established AI policy experts.
What should you think carefully about?
- Requires three full months of physical presence in London from early June through late August 2027, with limited hybrid flexibility reserved strictly for caregivers.
- International applicants requiring a visa must factor in processing delays and remain in their country of application during the visa process.
- Involves a multi-stage selection pipeline, including an abstract reasoning test, a paid work test, and formal interviews.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This fellowship offers an ideal bridge for individuals seeking to transition into AI policy, whether moving from academia, technical machine learning, or adjacent policy fields. In addition to producing a high-visibility research artifact, participants gain direct access to GovAI’s network across top labs, think tanks, and regulatory bodies, providing significant momentum toward careers in government, frontier AI safety labs, or academic research.
Our take
An exceptional paid opportunity for independent thinkers committed to addressing advanced AI risks through rigorous policy and technical governance analysis. Candidates unable to relocate to London for three consecutive months or those seeking purely engineering roles without policy relevance should consider other opportunities.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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