The Institute for Law & AI (LawAI) has announced applications for its inaugural Law & AI Academic Fellowship, a prestigious two-year programme designed for aspiring legal scholars seeking careers in United States legal academia. Offering an annual salary of $130,000, the fellowship provides participants with the opportunity to conduct independent legal research focused on the challenges and opportunities presented by transformative artificial intelligence (AI).

Applications for the fellowship will remain open until 31 July 2026, with successful candidates joining a growing community of researchers dedicated to improving AI governance, public policy, and legal frameworks that support human welfare, security, and the rule of law.

About the Law & AI Academic Fellowship

The Law & AI Academic Fellowship has been created as an alternative to traditional university-sponsored Visiting Assistant Professor and law fellowship programmes. The initiative is specifically designed to help fellows prepare for the competitive US legal academic job market by providing the resources, mentorship, and time needed to produce high-quality legal scholarship.

Participants will spend most of their fellowship conducting research and writing articles intended for publication in leading law journals. Fellows will also receive mentorship from experienced academics and members of LawAI’s extensive network of legal scholars and researchers.

The programme is structured to allow fellows to focus primarily on research without mandatory teaching obligations, giving participants greater flexibility to develop strong academic portfolios.

About the Institute for Law & AI

The Institute for Law & AI is an independent think tank dedicated to addressing legal and policy challenges arising from advanced artificial intelligence technologies. The organization conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of law, technology, governance, and public policy.

LawAI works with governments, research institutions, policymakers, and private organizations to develop legal frameworks that support responsible AI development while protecting public interests.

Its mission centers on ensuring that sound legal analysis contributes to:

Human welfare
Global security
Effective governance
The rule of law
Responsible technological advancement

Research Areas of Interest

The fellowship welcomes scholars interested in examining how transformative AI may reshape society, economies, governments, and legal systems.

Research topics of particular interest include:

Risk regulation of transformative AI
Liability for AI-related harms
AI and biosecurity
AI and cybersecurity
National security law and AI
AI infrastructure governance
Administrative law and AI
Constitutional law and AI
International AI regulation
AI applications within judicial systems
Industrial policy and artificial intelligence
Labor law implications of AI
Tax policy and AI-driven economies
State capacity and technological governance
Corporate governance of AI companies
Antitrust issues and AI safety
The European Union AI Act
AI testing and evaluation frameworks
Transparency and accountability policies
Legal alignment and law-following AI systems

The fellowship also encourages interdisciplinary approaches that combine legal scholarship with fields such as economics, history, philosophy, computer science, and empirical research.

Commitment to Academic Freedom

One of the defining features of the programme is its strong commitment to academic independence.

LawAI has stated that fellows will retain complete control over:

Research questions
Methodologies
Scholarly conclusions
Publication decisions

The institute also guarantees that external funders will not influence hiring decisions or research outcomes. Fellows are free to publish work that differs from or critiques positions held by LawAI or its supporters.

Furthermore, fellows will not be required to provide consulting services to LawAI clients and may choose to remain entirely separate from consulting activities throughout the fellowship.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The fellowship is designed for individuals planning to pursue careers in US legal academia.

Strong candidates may possess:

Excellent academic performance in law school
Experience in legal practice, public service, policy, or advocacy
Prior involvement with law reviews or academic journals
Existing publication records
Advanced degrees or specialized expertise
Strong legal research and writing skills

Applicants should demonstrate the ability to formulate original research questions and produce high-quality scholarly work with limited supervision.

LawAI is particularly interested in candidates who are motivated by improving AI law and policy while maintaining a strong commitment to rigorous, evidence-based analysis.

Fellowship Benefits and Support

The Law & AI Academic Fellowship offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both professional development and personal well-being.

Key benefits include:

Annual salary of $130,000
Flexible remote work arrangements
Five weeks of paid time off each year
Twelve weeks of paid parental leave
Employer pension or 401(k) contributions
Health insurance support where applicable
$5,000 annual professional development fund
$5,000 annual mental health support fund
$2,500 annual equipment and office supply allowance
Additional annual travel support for conferences and academic events

Research Resources and Professional Development

LawAI provides extensive support to help fellows maximize their research productivity.

Available resources include:

Access to leading AI tools
Funding for books, databases, and academic materials
Support for research assistants
Editorial and citation assistance
Opportunities to affiliate with universities
Academic mentoring from leading scholars
Mock interviews and job market preparation

Fellows will also receive financial support for attending conferences, workshops, job talks, and other professional development activities.

Work Location and Travel Requirements

The fellowship offers significant flexibility regarding location and working arrangements. While many fellows are expected to be based in the United States, remote work is permitted.

However, participants must:

Spend at least one month annually working in person with the LawAI team
Attend team retreats and conferences
Travel regularly for academic workshops and job-market activities

In-person engagement may take place in Washington, DC, or Cambridge, United Kingdom, with associated travel and accommodation costs covered by the organization.

A Unique Opportunity for Future Legal Scholars

As artificial intelligence continues to transform legal systems, public institutions, and global governance, demand is growing for scholars capable of addressing the complex legal questions emerging from these technologies. The Law & AI Academic Fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity for aspiring academics to build influential research portfolios while contributing to some of the most important legal debates of the coming decades.

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications before the 31 July 2026 deadline and take advantage of this unique pathway into legal academia and AI policy research.

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs 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.

Applications Open for the Law & AI Academic Fellowship with Annual Salary of $130,000 – Apply By 31 July 2026 @Unknown