Accelerator Fellowship Programme – University of Oxford Institute for Ethics in AI | Fully Funded Fellowship for Ethical AI Research

 

The Accelerator Fellowship Programme, provided by the University of Oxford’s Institute for Ethics in AI, is a pioneering initiative centered on addressing the pressing moral, societal, and coverage challenges led to by speedy developments in synthetic intelligence. Rooted in tutorial independence, philosophical inquiry, and a human-centered strategy, the programme is designed to empower professionals and teachers who’re dedicated to shaping an moral future for AI.

Through strategic collaboration, cross-sector engagement, and interdisciplinary analysis, the Accelerator Fellowship helps work that delivers sensible, real-world influence throughout key themes comparable to AI and Creativity, AI in Care and Mental Health, AI and Humanity, and AI, Law and Policy. Applications are actually open for fellowships starting in 2026.

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Extensive Eligibility Criteria

The Accelerator Fellowship Programme is open to professionals and teachers worldwide who’re actively contributing to work on the intersection of synthetic intelligence, ethics, and society. Eligibility is decided by means of tutorial standing, skilled expertise, and alignment with the programme’s mission.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants should:

• Be working towards professionals or teachers from any self-discipline.
• Hold a unbroken function inside a college, not-for-profit analysis group, business, or be in any other case professionally established.
• Be actively partaking with the alternatives and challenges of synthetic intelligence in their discipline.
• Demonstrate dedication to advancing moral, accountable, and impact-driven AI.
• Hold a Master’s diploma or show equal skilled standing, outlined as at the very least 5 years of related skilled expertise.
• Show that their proposed venture aligns with the Accelerator Fellowship Programme’s mission and analysis focus.

Fellowship Tracks

Eligibility additionally extends to thematic classes:

• Creativity Fellows: Individuals with a background in inventive sectors or these engaged on the connection between AI and human creativity.
• Care Fellows: Applicants with a background or curiosity in AI’s influence on well being, social care, or psychological well being.
• Humanity Fellows: Individuals from the humanities or pc scientists learning AI improvement, analysis, or its societal impacts.
• AI, Law & Policy Fellows: Professionals with expertise in authorities, coverage, civil society, or authorized fields, specializing in AI governance and regulatory challenges.

Additional Requirements

• The programme is open to candidates globally.
• English proficiency is required.

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Programme Details: Structure, Duration, and Participation Options

The Accelerator Fellowship offers a versatile, interdisciplinary surroundings designed to assist significant work that advances moral AI.

Fellowship Structure

Fellows will undertake impact-driven analysis and actions underneath one of 4 themes:

• AI and Creativity
• AI in Care, Mental Health and Healthcare
• AI and Humanity
• AI, Law and Policy

Throughout the fellowship, members will profit from:

• Intellectual engagement with researchers on the University of Oxford.
• Access to networks that assist analysis, coverage improvement, and real-world influence.
• Participation in seminars, public discussions, and collaborative occasions.
• Opportunities to construct alliances between academia, business, and civil society.

Modes of Participation

Fellowships could also be accomplished:

1. Remotely, with the chance of quick analysis visits.
2. Through a longer in-person keep in Oxford, lasting as much as six months at a time, topic to immigration and visa necessities.

Important observe:
These fellowships are not employed positions with the University of Oxford.

Fellowship Duration

• Fellows obtain a proper affiliation with the Institute for 6 or 12 months.
• Start dates start from February 2026.
• In-person stays ought to coincide with Oxford University time period dates for most engagement in occasions, seminars, and public actions.
• All in-person visits are topic to visa eligibility or current right-to-work permissions for the UK.

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Awards and Funding

Each fellowship award consists of:

• A month-to-month stipend of £2,000 for lodging, journey, meals, and residing bills.
• Optional case-by-case assist for project-related prices, together with:
  • Workshops
  • Seminars
  • Public exhibitions
  • Events

Applicants requiring extra venture funding should embrace a transparent venture proposal detailing anticipated prices.

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How to Apply: Step-by-Step Application Process

The application course of consists of two key steps:

Step 1: Complete the Application Form

Applicants should first full the application kind accessible through the official programme hyperlink indicated as LINK in the decision for purposes.

Step 2: Email Supporting Documents

Email the next three paperwork as a single PDF (most 10MB) utilizing the naming conference:
Surname_Name_Month_Year_AFP application

Send to: aiethicsafp@philosophy.ox.ac.uk
Email topic line: AFP Fellowship Application

Required paperwork:

1. One-page venture assertion together with:
   • Research focus
   • Desired outcomes and outputs
   • Alignment with programme objectives
   • Potential societal, coverage, or enterprise influence
   • Opportunities for longer-term collaboration
   • (If looking for additional funding) proposal for project-related prices
2. Motivation letter
3. Two-page CV

Applicants should additionally connect a copy of their present passport in the identical e-mail.

Important:

• The consumption is aggressive, and submission doesn’t assure acceptance.
• Applicants might be notified of selections in writing.

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Important Dates and Deadlines

2025/2026 Fellowship Cycle

• Applications open: 18 November 2025
• Deadline: 10 January 2026

2026/2027 Fellowship Cycle

• Applications open: 16 May 2026
• Deadline: 13 June 2026

Visa Considerations for In-Person Stays:

• Applicants requiring a visa: apply at the very least six months in advance.
• Applicants not requiring a visa: apply three months in advance.
  If not sure about visa standing, apply six months forward.

Earliest Remote Fellowship Start Date:

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Immigration Guidance

The Institute will work with profitable fellows to assist UK visits the place potential, inside the constraints of the immigration routes accessible.

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Building a More Ethical Future for AI

The Accelerator Fellowship Programme on the University of Oxford’s Institute for Ethics in AI gives a singular, absolutely funded alternative for professionals and students worldwide to form the long run of moral synthetic intelligence. Through versatile participation choices, interdisciplinary collaboration, and entry to world-leading experience, the programme empowers fellows to develop impactful, accountable options on the coronary heart of international AI challenges. This fellowship stands as an important step towards constructing a extra considerate, moral, and human-centered technological future.

 

Join | Accelerator Fellowship Programme

 

 

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