AGI Governance Fellowship 2026 @Johns Hopkins University School of Government and Policy

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, governments, institutions, companies, and societies around the world face increasingly complex questions about how to govern powerful AI systems responsibly. From frontier AI models and AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) to democratic oversight, institutional design, and societal resilience, the future of governance may depend on a new generation of leaders who understand both advanced technology and public policy.

To help meet this challenge, the Johns Hopkins University School of Government and Policy has launched the AGI Governance Fellowship 2026, an intensive, fully funded leadership and training program designed to prepare outstanding early-career professionals, researchers, and practitioners to contribute to the future of AI governance.

Led by renowned scholars Professor Gillian Hadfield, Professor Seth Lazar, and Professor Nicholas Caputo, this highly selective fellowship brings together talented individuals from government, industry, academia, civil society, and the nonprofit sector for three weeks of immersive learning, collaboration, and problem-solving in Washington, DC.

The fellowship is hosted at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center and represents a unique opportunity for emerging leaders to engage directly with some of the most pressing governance challenges posed by advanced AI systems.

About the AGI Governance Fellowship

The AGI Governance Fellowship is designed around a simple but urgent reality: increasingly capable AI systems will transform institutions, economies, public policy, democratic governance, and human collective decision-making.

As AI systems begin to demonstrate cognitive capabilities that rival or exceed human performance in various domains, existing governance structures may prove insufficient.

The fellowship seeks to equip participants with the knowledge, networks, and practical skills necessary to help society navigate the AI transition responsibly.

Rather than serving as an introductory program, the fellowship functions as a capstone experience for emerging leaders who already possess a solid foundation in AI governance, frontier AI systems, public policy, law, computer science, or related fields.

Why This Fellowship Matters

Artificial General Intelligence presents governance challenges unlike anything humanity has previously encountered.

Questions that policymakers and researchers are actively grappling with include:

• How should governments regulate frontier AI systems?
• What new institutions are needed for the AGI era?
• How can democratic values be embedded into AI alignment?
• How can societies remain resilient amid rapidly accelerating AI capabilities?
• What role should governments, companies, and civil society play in shaping AI development?
• How might AGI transform humanity’s understanding of itself?

The AGI Governance Fellowship creates a space where talented individuals can work together to explore these questions and develop practical solutions.

What the Fellowship Offers

Selected fellows will participate in an elite educational experience focused on the future of AGI governance.

1. Intensive AGI Governance Curriculum

Participants will explore advanced topics including:

• Frontier AI legislation
• State and federal AI policy
• AGI governance frameworks
• Democratic approaches to AI alignment
• Institutional design for AGI systems
• Societal resilience strategies
• Governance of superhuman AI capabilities
• Public policy and emerging technologies

2. Expert-Led Learning

Fellows will learn directly from:

• Johns Hopkins faculty
• Leading AI governance experts
• Frontier AI researchers
• Policymakers
• Government officials
• Civil society leaders
• Technology practitioners

3. Fully Funded Participation

The fellowship covers:

• Travel to Washington, DC
• Accommodation
• Meals
• Incidental expenses

This ensures fellows can participate fully without financial barriers.

4. Cross-Sector Networking

Participants will build relationships with professionals from:

• Government
• Academia
• Civil society
• Frontier AI laboratories
• Technology companies
• Policy organizations
• Research institutions

5. Collaborative Project Work

The fellowship concludes with group projects aimed at producing meaningful contributions to AGI governance.

Topics Covered During the Fellowship

The curriculum includes deep dives into critical governance questions such as:

Frontier AI Legislation

Participants will analyze:

• Federal AI legislation
• State-level AI regulations
• Emerging global governance frameworks

Democratic AI Alignment

Fellows will explore:

• Public participation in AI governance
• Democratic accountability
• Governance legitimacy
• Civic engagement in AI decision-making

Building Societal Resilience

Topics include:

• Economic disruption
• Labor market transitions
• Institutional adaptation
• Social stability amid AI transformation

New Governance Institutions

Participants will investigate:

• Future regulatory bodies
• Governance mechanisms for AGI
• Institutional innovation
• Cross-border governance structures

Human Identity and AGI

The fellowship also examines philosophical and societal implications of advanced AI systems.

Illustrative Fellowship Projects

Participants may work on initiatives such as:

• Civic AI agents supporting democratic decision-making
• Model AGI legislation
• Frontier AI evaluations
• Governance tools for advanced AI systems
• Public-interest AI governance frameworks
• Research on recursive self-improvement risks
• AI-enabled governance systems

Fellowship Structure

Duration

The fellowship runs for three weeks.

Dates

September 8 – September 25, 2026

Location

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center

Washington, DC, USA

Format

The fellowship is conducted entirely in person.

Weekly Activities

Participants should expect:

• Faculty lectures
• Interactive seminars
• Collaborative workshops
• Guest speaker sessions
• Group projects
• Policy discussions
• Research activities

Fellowship Expectations

This is an intensive full-time program.

Participants are expected to:

• Complete significant pre-reading
• Attend all sessions
• Engage actively in discussions
• Collaborate on projects
• Participate throughout the entire program

The fellowship is intentionally demanding and designed for individuals serious about shaping the future of AI governance.

Who Should Apply?

The fellowship seeks ambitious early-career researchers and practitioners who already possess foundational expertise in AI governance.

Potential applicants include:

• Congressional staffers
• Policy professionals
• AI company employees
• Researchers
• Academics
• Grantmakers
• Nonprofit leaders
• Governance specialists
• Public policy professionals
• Computer scientists
• Technology experts

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

Academic Qualifications

Have either:

• A postgraduate degree in a relevant field, OR
• Equivalent practical experience

Career Stage

Be early career professionals, generally:

• Within eight years of receiving an undergraduate degree

Knowledge Requirements

Applicants should already possess:

• Understanding of frontier AI systems
• Knowledge of AI governance
• Technical AI knowledge
• Policy expertise related to AI

The organizers emphasize that this is not a beginner-level transition program but rather an advanced leadership fellowship.

Why You Should Apply

This fellowship stands out because it:

• Is fully funded
• Provides direct access to world-class experts
• Focuses on one of the most important governance challenges of the century
• Connects fellows with leaders across sectors
• Offers intensive hands-on learning
• Builds long-term professional networks
• Creates opportunities to contribute meaningfully to AGI governance

Application Process

Interested candidates should:

1. Review eligibility requirements.
2. Prepare application materials.
3. Demonstrate relevant experience in AI governance or frontier AI.
4. Highlight leadership potential and commitment to responsible AI development.
5. Submit an application through the Official Johns Hopkins AGI Governance Fellowship portal.

Visit HERE to learn more about the Johns Hopkins AGI Governance Fellowship 2026 in Washington.

Final Thoughts

The Johns Hopkins AGI Governance Fellowship 2026 represents one of the most exciting opportunities available to emerging leaders working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, governance, public policy, and societal transformation.

As AI systems become increasingly powerful, societies around the world will need talented professionals capable of designing governance frameworks, institutions, and policies that ensure these technologies benefit humanity. This fellowship offers a rare opportunity to learn from leading experts, collaborate with high-caliber peers, and contribute to shaping the future of AGI governance.

For researchers, policymakers, technologists, and governance professionals who want to play a meaningful role in navigating the AI transition, this fully funded fellowship in Washington, DC could be a career-defining opportunity.

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