CBAI Summer Research Fellowship in AI Safety 2026: Fully Funded Opportunity

Imagine a world where advanced AI systems are safe and helpful for everyone. The CBAI Summer Research Fellowship in AI Safety 2026 offers a chance to make that happen. This fully funded program brings talented people together in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for nine weeks from June 8 to August 10. It focuses on key areas like AI safety research and governance.

Program Overview

The Cambridge Boston Alignment Initiative (CBAI) runs this intensive fellowship. Participants work on projects to reduce risks from powerful AI. Topics include making AI interpretable, ensuring safety in multi-agent systems, and building verification methods. Fellows also explore risk management and governance ideas. The program includes weekly workshops, speaker events, and close work with mentors from top places like Harvard and MIT.

Past fellows have landed jobs at groups like Goodfire and Redwood. Some started their own research teams or got papers into big conferences like NeurIPS and ICLR. Others shared findings with policymakers in Washington, DC.

Research Tracks

The fellowship covers four main areas to match different interests.

Technical AI Safety
This track targets ways to lower big risks from advanced AI. Work might involve alignment techniques, where AI goals match human values. It also covers robustness tests, interpretability tools, and scalable oversight methods.

AI Governance
Here, fellows study how to guide AI development and use. Research looks at policies, regulations, global teamwork, and groups that handle AI risks.

Technical Governance
This blends tech and policy. Topics include controlling compute power, evaluating models, creating standards, and building safe institutions for AI.

Economics of Transformative AI
Fellows examine AI’s economic effects. They use data and models to study growth, jobs, productivity, and policy issues like market power.

Benefits

CBAI provides strong support to help fellows succeed.

Mentorship: One to two hours per week from experts at MIT, Harvard, Northeastern, Boston University, and groups like RAND.
Research Managers: Full-time help from pros in alignment, interpretability, and policy.
Stipend: $10,000 for the nine weeks.
Meals: Free lunch and dinner on weekdays, plus snacks and drinks.
Housing: Provided for those coming from outside Cambridge.
Office Space: 24/7 access near Harvard Square.
Networking: Events with labs at Northeastern, MIT, and Harvard, plus social activities and workshops.
Research Tools: Up to $10,000 in compute credits, GPUs, and conference funding.
Extension Option: Up to six more months of funding for top projects.

Eligibility

Anyone over 18 committed to AI safety can apply. This includes undergrads, Master’s and PhD students, postdocs, and recent grads switching to AI safety. International students on OPT or CPT in the US qualify, but no visa sponsorship. Passion for tackling AI risks is key.

Application Process

Apply by the deadline of April 12, 2026. The steps are straightforward:

Fill out the general form.
Do a 15-minute interview with CBAI.
Complete a mentor task or code test if needed (for technical tracks).
Interview with your chosen mentor.

Start your application here. For details, check the CBAI fellowship page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CBAI Summer Research Fellowship?

It’s a nine-week fully funded program in Cambridge, Massachusetts, from June 8 to August 10, 2026, where participants work on AI safety research and governance projects with mentors from top universities.

Who can apply for the fellowship?

Anyone over 18 committed to AI safety can apply, including undergrads, grad students, postdocs, and recent grads; international students on OPT or CPT in the US qualify, but no visa sponsorship.

What benefits does the program provide?

Fellows get a $10,000 stipend, free meals, housing, office space, mentorship, networking events, and up to $10,000 in research tools like compute credits.

How do I apply for the fellowship?

Submit the application by April 12, 2026, via the online form, followed by a short interview, possible task or test, and a mentor interview.