Looking to conduct cutting-edge technical research in artificial intelligence safety and alignment? The AI Alignment Foundation (AIAF)—in partnership with AE Studio—is offering an intensive 8-week paid remote fellowship with a $12,000 USD stipend.
Designed to operate at industry speed, this program embeds selected fellows in structured research teams to solve critical AI alignment challenges, build reproducible models, and publish high-impact findings.
Quick Summary at a Glance
| Feature | Program Details |
| Organizer | AI Alignment Foundation (AIAF) & AE Studio |
| Stipend | $12,000 USD (for 8 weeks) |
| Duration | 8 Weeks (Full-time, ~40 hours/week) |
| Program Dates | September 8, 2026 – October 30, 2026 |
| Format | 100% Remote (Work from anywhere) |
| Selectivity | 6 Spots Total (Highly competitive) |
| Demo Day | Hybrid (In-person in Los Angeles with travel covered, or virtual) |
| Application Deadline | August 17, 2026 (AoE) |
What is the AIAF Fellowship?
The AIAF Fellowship bridges the gap between academic research and agile industry execution. Fellows work directly on neglected approaches to AI safety, supported by a dedicated research manager for day-to-day agile tracking and guidance from experienced AE Studio researchers.
What Fellows Receive:
- $12,000 Stipend: Paid in installments across the 8-week program.
- Compute Resources: Dedicated Cloud GPU access and API budgets per research team.
- Published Output: Every team aims to publish their findings on LessWrong and produce open-source, reproducible papers.
- Hybrid Demo Day: An opportunity to present research in Los Angeles (all travel and expenses fully covered) or join remotely.
Who Can Apply? (Global Eligibility)
Yes! International applicants from anywhere in the world can apply.
Ideal Candidate Profile:
- Background: Strong machine learning background—you must be comfortable running experiments, implementing papers, and debugging your own code.
- Career Stage: Open to any career stage, including recent PhDs, MSc students, self-taught researchers, or software engineers transitioning into AI safety.
- Logistics: Must be able to commit to 40 hours/week from Sept 8 to Oct 30, 2026, work as an independent contractor, and attend team meetings during Pacific Time (PT) hours.
- Age Limit: No age restriction (must be eligible to work as a contractor).
Hidden Charges & Out-of-Pocket Expenses
- Application Fee: 100% FREE.
- Compute Costs: 100% Covered (GPU and API budgets provided).
- Demo Day Travel: Fully funded by AIAF if attending in-person in Los Angeles.
- ⚠️ Visa Sponsorship Note: AIAF cannot sponsor U.S. visas for international candidates attending Demo Day. However, international fellows can participate 100% remotely for the entire program.
Application Process
- Submit Online Form: Complete the application on the official portal before August 17, 2026 (AoE).
- Submit Materials:
- Your CV/Resume
- Up to 5 links to relevant work (GitHub, LessWrong posts, papers, or projects)
- Short written question on a neglected AI alignment approach
- A short 5-minute video answering why AI alignment matters to you and critiquing one of AIAF’s research directions
- Technical Test & Interview: Shortlisted applicants complete a technical test followed by a final interview window (August 18–29, 2026).
Official Links
- Official Portal & Application: AIAF Fellowship Page
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