The main types
The programmes open now fall into a few groups:
- In-person policy fellowships at a think tank. GovAI UK Summer Fellowship 2027 (Research and Applied tracks) runs in London from 7 June to 27 August 2027, with a Research track (your own project) and an Applied track (projects pitched by GovAI or partner organisations). GovAI DC Summer Fellowship 2027 is the Washington DC counterpart, on the same dates, focused on US AI policy.
- A European policy training fellowship, with an optional placement. Talos Fellowship, Spring 2027 (EU AI policy) starts with seven weeks of part-time online training (24 February to 10 April 2027) and a one-week summit in Brussels (10–16 April). A six-month placement at a European think tank, organisation or government institution is optional, and places are limited.
- Law and AI summer fellowships. LawAI Summer Fellowship (US) is a 10-week, in-person programme in Washington DC from 14 June to 20 August 2027, including a convening week on 21–25 June. LawAI Summer Research Fellowship (Legal Frontiers) is remote-first on the same dates, with optional time in Cambridge, UK or Washington DC, plus the same convening week.
- Funded doctoral work in AI governance. Oxford AIGI DPhil Studentships in AI Governance (Track I) and Oxford AIGI DPhil Studentships (Track II, AIMS-integrated) are DPhil studentships at Oxford, not summer fellowships. We cover UK funded PhDs, including these, in funded AI PhDs and UKRI CDTs in the UK.
We compared paid AI safety research programmes, including some policy-adjacent ones, in a separate article. This one is about policy, law and governance placements.
What they pay, and what is unpaid
- GovAI UK Summer Fellowship 2027 (Research and Applied tracks): GovAI's Research Track and Applied Track pages both say fellows receive a salary of £14,000 for the three months, plus support for travelling to London, lunch on weekdays and a desk in the London office [source].
- GovAI DC Summer Fellowship 2027: $24,500 stipend, plus support for travelling to DC, weekday lunch and a desk. GovAI may facilitate a part-time, pro-rated fellowship for some people already working in DC policy, and may make pay accommodations if the stipend would otherwise be a barrier.
- Talos Fellowship, Spring 2027 (EU AI policy): training and the summit are not paid. Travel, accommodation, breakfast and lunch for the Brussels summit are covered. Fellows who take a placement receive a monthly stipend of about €3,000, which Talos may adjust for higher living costs. Our listing summarises the placement figure as €3,000/month stipend for Brussels placements. Assignment prizes of up to €750 are separate, and only the top three receive them.
- LawAI Summer Fellowship (US): Weekly subsidy: $2,000, with higher subsidies possible for exceptional experience. Fellows who relocate to DC also receive a $10,000 relocation and housing stipend, treated as taxable income. Eligible convening-week travel is covered.
- LawAI Summer Research Fellowship (Legal Frontiers): the organiser's page states a weekly subsidy of $1,800 for fellows based in the US, or £1,000 for fellows based in the EU or UK, with higher subsidies possible in exceptional cases. Convening-week travel is covered, and admission to the 2027 Workshop on Law-Following AI in Cambridge is included, with eligible travel covered.
Who they are for, and work authorisation
This is the section that most often decides whether an application is worth the time.
- GovAI DC Summer Fellowship 2027 requires the right to work in the US. GovAI does not sponsor visas for this fellowship. There are no strict degree requirements, and promising undergraduates can apply.
- GovAI UK Summer Fellowship 2027 (Research and Applied tracks) is full-time and in person in London. GovAI says it can sponsor temporary work visas. For those who need one, you may have to remain in your country of application while the visa is processed.
- Talos Fellowship, Spring 2027 (EU AI policy) is aimed at recent graduates and people a few years into their careers who want a policy career in European AI governance, not a research career. For a placement you need the right to work in the EU or UK, or a clear path to getting it: Talos does not sponsor visas. Candidates should have at least an undergraduate degree.
- LawAI Summer Fellowship (US) looks for a strong grasp of US legal principles applicable to AI regulation, through formal US legal study (from incoming 1L) or comparable professional experience. Prior AI-specific research is not required. In-person participation in DC is a selection factor for law students. Visa support may be possible but is not guaranteed.
- LawAI Summer Research Fellowship (Legal Frontiers) prefers a strong legal background but will consider exceptional candidates from related fields, typically with expertise in US, EU or UK law and policy.
Deadlines
- GovAI UK Summer Fellowship 2027 (Research and Applied tracks): 23:59 UK time (GMT) on Sunday 22 November 2026, for both tracks.
- GovAI DC Summer Fellowship 2027: 11:59pm EST on Sunday 22 November 2026.
- Talos Fellowship, Spring 2027 (EU AI policy): applications 6 November to 6 December 2026. Final decisions are due by 4 February 2027.
- LawAI Summer Fellowship (US) and LawAI Summer Research Fellowship (Legal Frontiers): 11:59pm ET on 29 January 2027.
- Oxford AIGI DPhil Studentships in AI Governance (Track I): 12:00 midday UK time on 2 December 2026. The AIMS-integrated track closes on 27 January 2027.
GovAI's process includes a written application, a short automated reasoning test, a paid remote work test in January and interviews in February.
How to choose and apply
- Decide whether you want policy practice, legal research or a doctorate. A summer fellowship is not a DPhil, and Talos training is unpaid unless you are selected for a placement.
- Check work authorisation and location first. A strong application to the DC fellowship is wasted if you cannot already work in the US.
- Apply to more than one if you are eligible. Several close in November and January.
- Use our fellowships list to see every programme we currently track, soonest deadline first. Our fellowships guide covers how applications typically work.
