AI Safety Policy Entrepreneurship Fellowship 2026–2027: $5,000 Stipend, Policy Training and Frontier AI Governance Experience

<p class="isSelectedEnd">The <strong>AI Safety Policy Entrepreneurship Fellowship (PEF) 2026–2027</strong> offers an opportunity for early- to mid-career professionals who want to turn ideas about frontier artificial intelligence safety, security and governance into practical policy solutions.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Running from <strong>September 30, 2026, through February 28, 2027</strong>, the fellowship is designed around policy entrepreneurship rather than academic research alone. Fellows will work part-time as affiliates of the <strong>Federation of American Scientists (FAS)</strong>, developing a concrete policy idea, engaging decision-makers, building coalitions and identifying realistic pathways for their proposal to influence policy.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The fellowship provides a <strong>$5,000 stipend</strong>, with an opportunity for an additional <strong>$1,000 merit award</strong> for the Fellow who develops the most specific and actionable policy memo and advocacy plan. Selected travel expenses for required in-person events are also supported through an additional travel stipend.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Applications must be submitted by <strong>11:59 PM ET on September 7, 2026</strong>.</p> <h2>What Is the AI Safety Policy Entrepreneurship Fellowship?</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The Policy Entrepreneurship Fellowship is an initiative designed to help participants move promising policy ideas beyond the conceptual stage and toward real-world implementation.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Rather than concentrating exclusively on producing research papers, the fellowship emphasizes the practical process of making policy happen.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Participants will be encouraged to:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Identify an important policy problem.</li> <li>Develop a practical and implementable solution.</li> <li>Identify institutions capable of implementing the solution.</li> <li>Understand relevant decision-makers.</li> <li>Engage policymakers and other stakeholders.</li> <li>Build coalitions around their proposal.</li> <li>Identify opportunities or &#8220;policy windows&#8221; for action.</li> <li>Develop an advocacy strategy.</li> <li>Produce a policy memo.</li> <li>Move their idea toward practical policy adoption.</li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">For the 2026–2027 cohort, the fellowship will specifically focus on <strong>frontier AI safety issues</strong>.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">This makes the program particularly relevant to professionals interested in the intersection of <strong>artificial intelligence, public policy, national security, cybersecurity, governance, technology regulation and catastrophic risk management</strong>.</p> <h2>Fellowship Focus: Frontier AI Safety</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The fellowship will explore policy challenges arising from increasingly capable and advanced AI systems.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Fellows are encouraged to examine different dimensions of frontier AI safety, including technical, regulatory, institutional and governance challenges.</p> <h3>Technical AI Safety</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">One area of focus is ensuring that frontier AI systems are:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Reliable.</li> <li>Predictable.</li> <li>Secure.</li> <li>Aligned with human values.</li> <li>Designed and deployed in ways that reduce serious risks.</li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Applicants with technical AI expertise may therefore be able to translate their technical knowledge into policy proposals addressing the governance of advanced AI systems.</p> <h3>AI Governance and Policy</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Another major area involves developing frameworks for governing the development and use of frontier AI.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Potential questions may include:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>What policies should govern advanced AI development?</li> <li>Which institutions should oversee high-risk AI systems?</li> <li>How should governments establish appropriate safeguards?</li> <li>What regulatory mechanisms could reduce catastrophic AI risks?</li> <li>How can governments build the capacity required to govern rapidly developing technologies?</li> </ul> <h3>Risk Assessment and Mitigation</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Fellows may also explore ways to identify, evaluate and reduce risks associated with increasingly capable AI systems.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Potential policy approaches could involve:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Risk assessment frameworks.</li> <li>Safety requirements.</li> <li>Risk classification systems.</li> <li>Governance mechanisms.</li> <li>Monitoring and oversight.</li> <li>Mitigation standards.</li> <li>Institutional preparedness.</li> </ul> <h3>Transparency and Accountability</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The fellowship also welcomes ideas addressing transparency and accountability in AI development and deployment.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">This could include examining how governments, companies and other institutions can improve understanding of:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>How advanced AI systems are developed.</li> <li>What capabilities they possess.</li> <li>What risks they create.</li> <li>How they are deployed.</li> <li>Who is responsible for managing those risks.</li> <li>How oversight can be strengthened.</li> </ul> <h2>Priority Policy Themes</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The fellowship is particularly interested in policy proposals addressing several emerging frontier AI safety and governance issues.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">These include:</p> <h3>Cybersecurity</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Applicants could examine cybersecurity risks associated with advanced AI systems and develop policy mechanisms designed to strengthen security.</p> <h3>Capability Thresholds</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Another potential area is determining whether specific AI capabilities should trigger additional regulatory, safety or oversight requirements.</p> <h3>Risk Taxonomies</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Fellows may explore systems for categorizing different types and levels of AI risk so that policymakers can develop proportionate responses.</p> <h3>Critical Infrastructure</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Advanced AI could have implications for critical infrastructure and essential systems. Policy proposals could examine how these risks should be assessed and mitigated.</p> <h3>Compute Governance</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Computational resources play an important role in the development of frontier AI. Fellows may explore governance mechanisms relating to access to, monitoring of or oversight of advanced computing resources.</p> <h3>Model Proliferation</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The fellowship is interested in questions surrounding the proliferation of AI models, including the policy implications of <strong>open versus closed systems</strong>.</p> <h3>Policy Design and Government Capacity</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Applicants may also propose broader approaches to policy design, institutional arrangements and government capacity for managing catastrophic risks associated with advanced AI.</p> <h2>What Is Expected From Fellows?</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The fellowship is designed to give participants flexibility to pursue a policy project that they believe can create meaningful impact.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">However, Fellows are expected to develop a concrete policy proposal rather than simply explore a broad research topic.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The central objective is to identify a <strong>specific frontier AI safety problem and develop a feasible pathway toward policy adoption</strong>.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Possible mechanisms for implementation could include:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Legislation.</li> <li>Regulation.</li> <li>Government standards.</li> <li>Procurement requirements.</li> <li>Institutional design.</li> <li>Government policies.</li> <li>Governance frameworks.</li> <li>Other practical policy mechanisms.</li> </ul> <h2>Key Fellowship Deliverable: Policy Memo</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">One of the central responsibilities will be to develop and publish a <strong>policy memo</strong> addressing a specific frontier AI safety challenge.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The memo should go beyond describing the problem.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">It should include:</p> <ol start="1" data-spread="false"> <li>A clearly defined policy challenge.</li> <li>Evidence and analysis demonstrating why the issue matters.</li> <li>A practical policy solution.</li> <li>The institutions and decision-makers relevant to implementation.</li> <li>Key stakeholders who need to be engaged.</li> <li>A strategy for moving the proposal toward adoption.</li> <li>Consideration of practical barriers to implementation.</li> </ol> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The goal is to produce a policy document that can contribute to an actual policy conversation.</p> <h2>Policy Entrepreneurship Training</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Fellows will participate in training sessions designed to strengthen their ability to turn ideas into policy impact.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Training will address areas such as:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Frontier AI safety.</li> <li>Policymaking processes.</li> <li>Policy entrepreneurship.</li> <li>Stakeholder engagement.</li> <li>Translating technical expertise into policy.</li> <li>Identifying policy opportunities.</li> <li>Building coalitions.</li> <li>Engaging decision-makers.</li> <li>Moving policy proposals toward implementation.</li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Participants will also take part in reading groups intended to deepen their understanding of frontier AI safety and practical policymaking.</p> <h2>In-Person California Retreat</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The fellowship includes an in-person California retreat tentatively scheduled for:</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>November 4–7, 2026</strong></p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The retreat will focus on:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Mentorship.</li> <li>Community building.</li> <li>Developing fellowship projects.</li> <li>Advancing policy proposals.</li> <li>Connecting Fellows with relevant expertise and perspectives.</li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">An additional travel stipend will be available to cover selected expenses associated with the California retreat.</p> <h2>Washington, DC Capstone Event</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Fellows are also expected to participate in an in-person capstone event in <strong>Washington, DC</strong>, tentatively scheduled for the week of:</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>February 22, 2027</strong></p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The capstone event is intended to provide an opportunity for Fellows to:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Launch their policy memos.</li> <li>Disseminate their policy recommendations.</li> <li>Engage policymakers.</li> <li>Connect with experts.</li> <li>Engage relevant stakeholders.</li> <li>Present the outcomes of their fellowship projects.</li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">This component gives Fellows an opportunity to move their work beyond the fellowship itself and into conversations with people involved in policymaking and governance.</p> <h2>Time Commitment</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The fellowship is structured as a part-time opportunity.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Fellows are expected to dedicate an average of:</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>5 hours per week, or approximately 20 hours per month</strong></p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">to the fellowship during the period from <strong>September 30, 2026, through February 28, 2027</strong>.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">This time commitment includes mandatory fellowship programming.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Participants will also take part in <strong>twice-monthly group check-ins</strong>.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">FAS will make reasonable efforts to schedule these sessions at times that accommodate participants.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Select absences may be accommodated when participants provide appropriate notice, including absences related to:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Illness.</li> <li>Work conflicts.</li> <li>Vacation.</li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Exceptional circumstances may also be considered when determining whether a participant can be exempted from certain mandatory sessions.</p> <h2>Individual Mentorship</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Each Fellow will receive individual support from FAS.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The fellowship includes:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Monthly individual check-ins with a dedicated FAS staff mentor.</li> <li>Additional meetings when needed.</li> <li>Additional communication and support as projects develop.</li> <li>Assistance connecting Fellows with relevant experts and policy actors.</li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">This mentorship component is particularly valuable for applicants who have strong technical or subject-matter expertise but limited experience navigating policy processes.</p> <h2>Fellowship Benefits</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The AI Safety Policy Entrepreneurship Fellowship provides several professional and financial benefits.</p> <h3>$5,000 Fellowship Stipend</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Each Fellow will receive a:</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>$5,000 stipend</strong></p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">This provides financial support for participants during the fellowship period.</p> <h3>Additional $1,000 Merit Award</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">An additional:</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>$1,000 merit award</strong></p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">may be provided to the Fellow whose policy memo and advocacy plan are judged to be the most specific and actionable.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">This means that participants have an opportunity to receive up to <strong>$6,000 in total financial awards</strong>, excluding eligible travel support.</p> <h3>Travel Support</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">An additional travel stipend will help cover selected expenses associated with:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>The California retreat.</li> <li>The Washington, DC capstone event.</li> </ul> <h3>Professional Editing</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Fellows will receive <strong>professional editing support</strong> for written products developed during the fellowship.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">This can help improve the clarity, structure and professional quality of policy-related writing.</p> <h3>Policy Engagement Training</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Participants will receive training from FAS staff focused on practical policy entrepreneurship.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">This can help Fellows understand how to move from research and ideas toward policy influence.</p> <h3>Access to FAS Programming</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Fellows will receive invitations to relevant FAS programming.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">They will also have access to curated updates concerning the rapidly evolving federal science and technology policy landscape.</p> <h3>Deep-Dive Sessions</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Participants will take part in interactive sessions examining practical aspects of policy entrepreneurship.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">These sessions can help Fellows better understand how policy processes work in practice.</p> <h3>Expert Connections</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">FAS will support Fellows in connecting with relevant experts and policy actors.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">This can help participants expand their professional networks and identify individuals and institutions that could contribute to their policy projects.</p> <h2>Who Is the Fellowship Designed For?</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The fellowship is particularly well suited to <strong>early- to mid-career professionals</strong> who have strong subject-matter expertise but limited direct experience working in public policy.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The program is intended for people who want to learn how to translate their knowledge into practical policy impact.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Potential applicant backgrounds include:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Technical AI research.</li> <li>Artificial intelligence.</li> <li>Academia.</li> <li>Think tanks.</li> <li>Civil society.</li> <li>Technology industry.</li> <li>Law.</li> <li>Cybersecurity.</li> <li>National security.</li> <li>Public policy.</li> <li>Science and technology policy.</li> <li>Related technical or policy disciplines.</li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The fellowship is not limited to people who have previously worked as professional policymakers.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">In fact, candidates with substantial expertise in another field who want to learn how to translate that expertise into policy action may be particularly well suited to the program.</p> <h2>Selection Criteria</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Applications will be assessed holistically.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The selection process will consider the overall strength of the applicant and their proposed policy project rather than relying on a single qualification.</p> <h3>1. Understanding of a Significant AI Safety Challenge</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Applicants should demonstrate a clear understanding of an important frontier AI safety, security or governance problem.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The problem should be meaningful and sufficiently specific to support a practical policy intervention.</p> <h3>2. Concrete Policy Idea</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Applicants should propose a concrete policy idea rather than simply identifying a broad concern about AI.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The proposal should be:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Specific.</li> <li>Practical.</li> <li>Implementation-oriented.</li> <li>Connected to a real policy challenge.</li> <li>Supported by a credible pathway toward adoption.</li> </ul> <h3>3. Understanding of Key Stakeholders</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Applicants should consider which institutions, decision-makers and stakeholders would be necessary to implement their proposal.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">This demonstrates that the applicant understands policy as a process involving multiple actors rather than simply producing a recommendation.</p> <h3>4. Understanding of Practical Policy Challenges</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Strong candidates should recognize that good policy ideas can face significant implementation barriers.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Applicants should demonstrate willingness to think constructively about:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Political constraints.</li> <li>Institutional limitations.</li> <li>Stakeholder interests.</li> <li>Implementation challenges.</li> <li>Government capacity.</li> <li>Competing priorities.</li> <li>Practical pathways toward adoption.</li> </ul> <h3>5. Curiosity and Initiative</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The fellowship seeks people who demonstrate curiosity, initiative and genuine interest in translating ideas into practical impact.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Applicants should demonstrate that they are prepared to take initiative rather than simply conduct research.</p> <h2>What Makes a Strong Application?</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">A competitive application should clearly connect <strong>problem, solution and implementation</strong>.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">A strong proposal should answer questions such as:</p> <ol start="1" data-spread="false"> <li>What specific frontier AI safety problem are you addressing?</li> <li>Why is this problem important?</li> <li>Who is affected by the problem?</li> <li>What policy intervention are you proposing?</li> <li>Which institution could implement it?</li> <li>Who are the relevant decision-makers?</li> <li>Which stakeholders would support or oppose it?</li> <li>What barriers could prevent implementation?</li> <li>How could those barriers be addressed?</li> <li>What practical opportunity exists for advancing the proposal?</li> </ol> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The strongest applications are therefore likely to demonstrate not only knowledge of AI safety but also an understanding of how policy change actually occurs.</p> <h2>Why the Fellowship Is Valuable for AI Policy Careers</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The rapid development of frontier AI is creating increasing demand for professionals who understand both technology and public policy.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">However, technical expertise alone does not necessarily translate into policy influence.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">This fellowship addresses that gap by helping participants develop the skills required to move from:</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>Technical or subject-matter expertise → Policy idea → Stakeholder engagement → Advocacy → Policy adoption</strong></p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Participants can therefore develop capabilities in:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>Policy analysis.</li> <li>Policy writing.</li> <li>Stakeholder mapping.</li> <li>Coalition building.</li> <li>Decision-maker engagement.</li> <li>Advocacy strategy.</li> <li>Policy communication.</li> <li>Governance.</li> <li>AI safety.</li> <li>Science and technology policy.</li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">For professionals considering long-term careers in AI governance, technology policy, national security, cybersecurity or public-interest technology, these capabilities can be particularly valuable.</p> <p><a href="https://fas.org/career/ai-safety-pef/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Click HERE</strong> </a>to read more.</p> <h2>Fellowship Timeline</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The fellowship runs for approximately five months.</p> <p>Fellowship begins: <strong>September 30, 2026</strong></p> <p>California retreat: <strong>November 4–7, 2026, tentatively</strong></p> <p>Washington, DC capstone: <strong>Week of February 22, 2027, tentatively</strong></p> <p>Fellowship concludes: <strong>February 28, 2027</strong></p> <p>Application deadline: <strong>September 7, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET</strong></p> <h2>Application Deadline and Submission Requirements</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Applications must be submitted by:</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>11:59 PM ET on September 7, 2026</strong></p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Applicants should be aware that applications are accepted <strong>only through the designated application platform</strong>.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">When applicants select the application link, they will be redirected to the relevant platform and will need to create an account in order to submit their application.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Candidates should therefore avoid waiting until the final hours to begin the application process.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fas.secure-platform.com/site/solicitations/login/103029?returnUrl=https%3A%2F%2Ffas.secure-platform.com%2Fsite%2Fsolicitations%2F103029%2Fhome" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>APPLY NOW!</strong></a></p> <h2>Important Application Considerations</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Before applying, candidates should make sure their proposed project is sufficiently focused.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">A broad proposal such as &#8220;AI safety should be improved&#8221; is unlikely to demonstrate the level of specificity expected from a policy entrepreneurship fellowship.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Instead, applicants should identify a concrete problem and explain how a particular policy mechanism could address it.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">For example, a proposal might focus on:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>A specific cybersecurity risk associated with frontier AI.</li> <li>A governance mechanism for AI capability thresholds.</li> <li>A framework for categorizing advanced AI risks.</li> <li>AI risks to critical infrastructure.</li> <li>Governance of computing resources.</li> <li>Oversight of AI model proliferation.</li> <li>Standards for high-risk AI systems.</li> <li>Institutional capacity for managing catastrophic AI risks.</li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The proposal should then connect the problem to a realistic implementation pathway.</p> <h2>Conclusion</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The <strong>AI Safety Policy Entrepreneurship Fellowship 2026–2027</strong> offers an opportunity for professionals to develop practical solutions to some of the emerging governance challenges associated with frontier artificial intelligence.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The fellowship is particularly distinctive because it goes beyond traditional research. Participants are expected to identify a concrete policy problem, develop an actionable solution, understand the institutions and stakeholders involved, build relationships with decision-makers and pursue a realistic pathway toward implementation.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">With a <strong>$5,000 stipend, potential $1,000 merit award, travel support, professional editing, policy training, mentorship and access to experts</strong>, the program provides both financial and professional support for participants seeking to develop careers at the intersection of AI safety and public policy.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Professionals from technical AI research, academia, cybersecurity, law, national security, civil society, industry, think tanks and related fields are encouraged to consider applying, particularly if they have a strong policy idea but limited direct experience navigating policymaking.</p> <p>The application deadline is <strong>September 7, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET</strong>. Candidates should focus on presenting a specific frontier AI safety challenge, a credible policy solution and a practical strategy for moving that solution toward real-world adoption.</p> <p><a href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/?s=fellowship" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Click HERE</strong></a> for more fellowship opportunities.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/2026/08/16/ai-safety-policy-entrepreneurship-fellowship-2026-2027-5000-stipend-policy-training-and-frontier-ai-governance-experience/">AI Safety Policy Entrepreneurship Fellowship 2026–2027: $5,000 Stipend, Policy Training and Frontier AI Governance Experience</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org">Opportunities for Youth</a>.</p>