The IAPS AI Policy Fellowship 2026 in Washington, D.C.

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Call for the IAPS AI Policy Fellowship 2026 in Washington, D.C. is open now!!

The IAPS AI Policy Fellowship is a fully-funded, three-month program for professionals from varied backgrounds seeking to strengthen practical policy skills for securing a positive future in a world with powerful AI.

The Institute for AI Policy and Strategy (IAPS) is a nonpartisan think tank that produces policy research to address the implications of AI, from today’s most advanced models to potential AGI and superintelligence. Their work equips policymakers and industry leaders to protect innovation while navigating high-magnitude risks and opportunities at the intersection of AI, national security, and geopolitics.

Fellows join IAPS to conduct an independent AI policy project, with mentorship from a leading expert in the field. Each fellow is paired with a mentor, either from the IAPS team or from within in our network.

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Fellows will begin with a two-week, in-person residency in D.C. for the start of the Fellowship, from June 1- 12. During the kickoff residency, they will explore the AI policy landscape and get the opportunity to meet other fellows, IAPS researchers, and a variety of AI policy experts.

Afterwards, they will spend the remaining 10 weeks working with an AI policy expert, who will mentor them on projects that will influence national and global AI policies. Key policy fields include national security implications of AI, government acquisition and procurement of AI, CBRN capabilities of AI models, export controls, evaluations, geopolitics of AI, hardware-enabled mechanisms, jurisdictionally-focused policy questions (e.g., U.S., U.K., and E.U.), among several others.

Fellows’ projects can have a variety of formats depending on each expert and fellowship coordinator, and will be set in partnership with each fellow.

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The program is well-suited for both those with policy experience looking to transition into AI, or those with AI expertise looking to build more policy experience. Alumni of the Fellowship have gone on to full-time roles in industry, government, and at top think tanks like RAND, the Institute for Progress, the Center for Health Security and IAPS itself.

All fellows will begin the program with a two-week in-person residency in Washington, D.C. (June 1–12), where they will connect with the full IAPS team and partner experts. During this time, fellows will meet with their expert supervisor, participate in trainings on AI systems and policy challenges, workshop their Fellowship projects, and take part in a range of events—including roundtables, policy briefings, and informal networking gatherings.

For fellows based in D.C. throughout the program, IAPS will offer office space and regular in-person events to support ongoing collaboration and engagement.

IAPS welcomes remote fellows from many countries and provides multiple ways to stay connected and engaged. Every fellow (D.C. or remote) receives a support budget that can be used for in-person opportunities, such as attending conferences or meeting with their assigned expert.

As a remote-first organization, IAPS has the systems and experience to fully support remote participation and can legally hire in many countries. However, due to administrative or legal constraints, there may be some exceptions. These vary by individual circumstance, and we’ll follow up directly if there are any limitations based on your location. If you have questions about a specific country, feel free to contact us at [email protected].