Quality correction (verified 21 September 2026): Governance AI’s Research Scholar position is a distinct one-year visiting research role. It should not be conflated with GovAI’s separate seasonal Summer or Winter Fellowships. Applications for the current Research Scholar opportunity are closed; this page is retained as a role/programme guide.
Current status (verified 20 September 2026): Applications for the 2026 GovAI Research Scholar role are closed. The official deadline was 16 August 2026, 23:59 Anywhere on Earth. This is a 12-month visiting Research Scholar position, not the seasonal GovAI Summer Fellowship. GovAI states that the role supports research, policy, technical-governance and applied projects, with compensation depending on experience and location.
What the GovAI Research Scholar Role Is
The Research Scholar track is designed for people building careers in AI governance. Scholars may work on policy research, social-science research, technical governance, threat modelling, economics of AI, geopolitical questions, risk management or applied projects. The appointment is fixed-term for one year.
Research Scholar vs Seasonal Fellowship
GovAI also runs seasonal fellowship programmes, but they are separate opportunities with different timelines and formats. Applicants should not use summer-fellowship dates or benefits when evaluating the one-year Research Scholar role.
Eligibility and Profile
GovAI does not impose one required academic discipline. The organisation has recruited people from computer science, public policy, economics, political science, philosophy, law, history, government, industry and civil society. Strong evidence of high-quality work, familiarity with AI-governance questions and relevant domain expertise are central selection signals.
Location and Support
GovAI typically prefers London or Washington, DC for many scholars, while some candidates may be based elsewhere depending on the work. The organisation states that UK visa sponsorship is available, while US sponsorship is more limited.
For the Next Cycle
Monitor GovAI’s official Opportunities page for the next Research Scholar recruitment. Do not assume that the summer fellowship and Research Scholar applications reopen at the same time.
