The DC Summer Fellowship is a three-month, bipartisan program designed to accelerate careers in American AI governance and policy. Fellows gain hands-on experience conducting independent research while building professional networks and enhancing their expertise in AI policy. The program emphasizes practical policy relevance, rigorous analysis, and bipartisan engagement, focusing on how AI governance is shaped within the U.S. political system. The fellowship welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds, including early-career individuals seeking entry into AI policy and experienced professionals transitioning from adjacent fields. Applications are open until Sunday, March 1st, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. Fellowship Opportunities The DC Summer Fellowship provides participants with: Independent research opportunities on topics of their choice within AI policy. Mentorship from leading experts in AI governance. Hands-on experience navigating the U.S. AI policy landscape. Networking events, workshops, and seminars designed to enhance skills and knowledge. Support in producing outputs such as research reports, white papers, journal articles, op-eds, or blog posts. Fellows are encouraged to explore career pathways in government, think tanks, academia, and frontier AI companies. Past cohorts have successfully leveraged the fellowship to secure roles in these sectors. About GovAI GovAI was founded to help decision-makers navigate the transition to a world shaped by advanced AI. The organization’s first research agenda, published in 2018, helped define the emerging field of AI governance. GovAI’s team and affiliate network bring expertise across multiple domains, including: AI development best practices Risk analysis and management Economics of AI U.S.-China relations AI public policy Forecasting AI progress GovAI has staff, alumni, and affiliates with experience in: U.S. government bodies such as the National Security Council, OSTP, Senate, Department of Commerce, and Department of Homeland Security European agencies including the EU AI Office and UK AI Security Institute Think tanks like CSIS, CSET, CNAS, RAND, Heritage Foundation, and FAI Leading AI companies including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google DeepMind Academic institutions such as Yale, Stanford, and MIT Researchers have contributed to decision-making across government, industry, and civil society, and published in top peer-reviewed journals and conferences including Science, FAccT, and NeurIPS. Fellowship Structure Fellows begin with a two-week orientation exploring the AI policy landscape. During this time, they develop a research proposal with guidance from their assigned supervisor. Potential outputs include: Reports or white papers Academic journal articles Policy-focused op-eds or blog posts Throughout the fellowship, participants attend weekly meetings with supervisors, Q&A sessions with AI policy experts, workshops, and social events. Peer-to-peer work-in-progress meetings foster feedback and collaboration. Fellows also receive guidance on follow-on career opportunities. Qualifications and Selection Criteria GovAI values intellectual diversity and bipartisan engagement. The program seeks candidates with a range of perspectives and political backgrounds, united by a shared interest in U.S. AI policy. Eligible applicants may come from government, academia, industry, or civil society, and can include: Graduate students or researchers Professionals with experience relevant to AI governance Undergraduates demonstrating potential Key strengths sought in candidates include: Quality of work: Clear, insightful, and balanced research or policy writing Relevant expertise: Knowledge or skills applicable to AI policy topics Judgement: Ability to prioritize research directions and assess feasibility Team fit: Openness to feedback, intellectual honesty, and commitment to advancing AI governance Salary, Duration, and Location The fellowship runs for three months in Washington, DC, from June 8 to August 28, 2026. Fellows receive a stipend of $21,000, travel support, weekday lunches, and office space. The role is in-person and requires U.S. work authorization. Part-time arrangements may be possible for DC-based professionals already working in AI policy. GovAI can accommodate candidates facing financial barriers; inquiries should be directed to Martin Fukui at martin.fukui@governance.ai. Application Process The selection process consists of four stages: Written application Abstract reasoning assessment Paid remote work test Two interviews and reference checks Special accommodations are available for applicants requiring assistance or early notification of decisions. GovAI encourages applications from diverse backgrounds and experiences, emphasizing motivation and potential over strict alignment with listed qualifications. Applicants can submit materials via the official GovAI fellowship portal. Alumni and Career Outcomes Past fellows have progressed to influential positions in: Government agencies and policy offices Leading think tanks Frontier AI companies Academic institutions The fellowship serves as both a professional launchpad and a platform for advancing responsible AI governance in the United States. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering the fellowship. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.