Applications are now open for the highly competitive Principles of Intelligence Bridging Barriers in Safety and Security (PIBBSS) Winter Fellowship 2026–2027, an interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence (AI) safety research fellowship designed for outstanding researchers from around the world.

Hosted by Principles of Intelligence, the fellowship offers researchers a unique opportunity to transition into the rapidly growing field of AI safety while working alongside leading mentors, scholars, and practitioners. The program is specifically designed to connect talented researchers from diverse academic backgrounds with experienced AI safety mentors and research communities.

The fellowship will run for approximately three months, from November 2026 to February 2027, primarily in Cape Town, South Africa, with remote participation available only for exceptional candidates.

Participants will receive generous financial support, dedicated mentorship, accommodation, travel support, and access to a vibrant interdisciplinary community focused on addressing some of the world’s most important AI-related challenges.

About the PIBBSS Fellowship

The Principles of Intelligence Bridging Barriers in Safety and Security Fellowship is an intensive research program focused on advancing AI safety through interdisciplinary collaboration.

The program recognizes that many of the most important questions surrounding advanced AI systems cannot be solved by computer science alone. Instead, meaningful progress requires contributions from researchers across numerous disciplines that study intelligence, complex systems, governance, ethics, cognition, and human behavior.

The fellowship therefore brings together researchers from different academic and professional backgrounds and supports them in developing impactful AI safety research projects under expert guidance.

Over the years, fellowship alumni have gone on to work in:

AI safety laboratories
Government institutions
Universities
Independent research organizations
AI governance initiatives
Technology policy organizations

Past fellows have secured positions at leading institutions including Harvard University, the University of Oxford, Anthropic, Google, Epoch, and various AI safety organizations.

Fellowship Duration and Location

Successful applicants will participate in:

A pre-program AI risk reading group conducted remotely
A multi-day opening retreat
Three months of full-time mentored research
Community events and speaker sessions
A final symposium presentation in Spring 2027
A closing retreat with fellow researchers and mentors

Program Timeline

Fellowship Period: November 2026 – February 2027
Duration: Approximately 3 months
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Participation Mode: In-person (remote participation only for exceptional candidates)

Benefits of the PIBBSS Winter Fellowship 2026–2027

The fellowship provides substantial support to ensure participants can fully focus on their research.

Financial Benefits

Selected fellows will receive:

Monthly stipend of $3,000
Funding for approximately three months
One return flight to Cape Town, South Africa
Visa support letters where required

Accommodation and Living Support

Participants will also receive:

Free accommodation
Private bedroom for each fellow
Shared apartment arrangements where applicable
Daily workday meals
Lunch, dinner, and snacks provided at the office

Academic and Professional Benefits

Fellows will gain access to:

Dedicated AI safety mentors
Personalized project development support
Research strategy coaching
Interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities
Regular speaker talks
Professional networking events
Shared office space
Final symposium presentation opportunities

Career Development Benefits

The fellowship is particularly valuable for researchers seeking to:

Transition into AI safety research
Build international research networks
Develop publishable research outputs
Engage with leading AI safety experts
Explore AI governance and policy pathways
Access future career opportunities in academia, industry, and public policy

Research Areas and Fields Encouraged to Apply

The fellowship actively seeks researchers from diverse disciplines that contribute insights into intelligence, decision-making, governance, and complex systems.

Relevant fields include:

Mathematics
Neuroscience
Cognitive Science
Dynamical Systems Theory
Physics
Philosophy
Political Theory
Economic Theory
Ecology
Evolutionary Biology
Linguistics
Media Studies
Humanities
Related research disciplines

Researchers from interdisciplinary backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

Who Can Apply?

The fellowship is intended for individuals who are motivated to contribute to AI safety and possess research experience in fields related to complex and intelligent systems.

Applicants may include:

PhD researchers
Doctoral candidates
Postdoctoral researchers
Academic researchers
Independent researchers
Experienced professionals with significant research backgrounds

Importantly, applicants do not need to hold a specific academic credential if they can demonstrate substantial research experience.

The fellowship welcomes applicants from all countries worldwide.

Another major advantage is that applicants are not required to have a fully developed research project before applying. The fellowship team works closely with selected candidates during the interview process to identify suitable mentors and refine project ideas.

Fellowship Structure

The fellowship follows a carefully designed progression that supports fellows throughout the research journey.

Pre-Program Phase

Participants begin with:

Remote reading groups
AI risk discussions
Foundational AI safety materials
Community-building activities

Research Phase

During the core fellowship period, fellows engage in:

Full-time research
Regular mentorship meetings
Research coaching sessions
Collaborative discussions
Community events

Final Presentation Phase

The program concludes with:

Research presentations
Symposium participation
Networking opportunities
Knowledge-sharing sessions

Application Process

The selection process is conducted in multiple stages.

Stage 1: Written Application

Applicants must submit:

Curriculum Vitae (CV) or résumé
Personal statement (600–800 words)
Research background information
Motivation for pursuing AI safety research
Optional but recommended work samples

Stages 2–4: Interviews and Project Development

Shortlisted candidates will participate in:

Multiple interview rounds
Research interest discussions
Project proposal development
Mentor matching sessions

The selection process is designed to identify talented researchers while ensuring strong alignment between fellows and mentors.

Why the PIBBSS Fellowship Stands Out

Unlike many traditional research fellowships, the PIBBSS Fellowship emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and mentorship.

Participants join a global network of researchers who are exploring:

AI alignment
AI governance
AI ethics
Cognitive science and AI intersections
Policy responses to emerging AI risks
Human and machine intelligence comparisons
Long-term AI safety challenges

This collaborative environment enables fellows to contribute fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to some of the most pressing issues in artificial intelligence.

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the PIBBSS Winter Fellowship 2026–2027 is:

20 July 2026 (23:59 Anywhere on Earth).

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible to allow sufficient time for review and interview scheduling.

Researchers interested in advancing AI safety while working alongside world-class mentors in an international environment should strongly consider applying for this fully funded fellowship opportunity.

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For more information about this opportunity, visit here.

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