MAIA AI Safety Fundamentals Fellowship Fall 2026

Applications are open for the MAIA AI Safety Fundamentals Fellowship Fall 2026, an eight week introductory fellowship designed for people who want to understand the foundations of artificial intelligence safety. The programme is organised by MAIA and serves as its flagship introduction to AI safety and one of the main pathways for people interested in becoming involved with the MIT AI Alignment community.

The fellowship provides participants with an opportunity to explore some of the most important technical, strategic and policy questions surrounding advanced artificial intelligence. Participants examine the current trajectory of AI development, evidence related to AI misalignment, possible threat models, technical approaches to AI safety, the policy landscape and potential research and career opportunities in the field.

The Fall 2026 fellowship begins during the week of September 28, 2026 and runs for eight weeks. Participants meet weekly in small groups at MAIA’s office in Kendall Square. Fall sections generally include around 10 fellows and are facilitated by two MAIA members with experience in AI safety research. Dinner is also provided during the weekly sessions.

About the Fellowship

The AI Safety Fundamentals Fellowship introduces participants to the central questions and research areas within AI safety. It combines guided reading and group discussion, giving fellows the opportunity to engage with difficult and unresolved questions concerning the development and deployment of advanced AI systems.

The programme is facilitated by experienced members of the MAIA community. Small group discussions allow participants to examine technical concepts, evaluate arguments and develop a stronger understanding of the challenges associated with aligning increasingly capable AI systems with human objectives.

The fellowship is particularly suitable for students, researchers and other curious individuals who want to build foundational knowledge before exploring more specialised areas of AI safety research, policy or governance.

Opportunity Benefits

• Eight week introduction to AI safety

• Weekly small group reading and discussion sessions

• Guidance from experienced AI safety researchers and MAIA members

• Exploration of technical AI safety approaches

• Introduction to AI governance and policy

• Exposure to AI safety research questions and career pathways

• Opportunity to engage with other people interested in AI safety

• No additional work assigned outside weekly fellowship meetings

• Dinner provided during Fall fellowship sessions

• Access to an introductory pathway into the MIT AI Alignment community

Programme Areas

The fellowship covers several foundational areas of artificial intelligence safety and alignment.

• Current trajectory of AI development

• Empirical evidence for AI misalignment

• Threat models and potential harms from misaligned AI

• Technical approaches to AI safety

• AI alignment and safety research

• AI policy and governance

• Research opportunities in AI safety

• Careers and pathways within the AI safety field

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to applicants from any background

• MIT undergraduate and graduate students receive preference

• Applicants with machine learning experience are especially encouraged to apply

• Previous AI safety experience is not required

• Applicants should have genuine curiosity about AI safety

• Applicants should be willing to engage seriously with difficult and open questions

Required Application Information

MAIA states that the application contains both technical and non technical portions.

• Completed MAIA AI Safety Fundamentals application

• Responses to the technical portion of the application

• Responses to the non technical portion of the application

Applicants should allow approximately one hour to complete the application. The application is intended to assess both technical understanding and broader interest in AI safety.

How to Apply

1. Review the MAIA AI Safety Fundamentals Fellowship information and curriculum.
2. Confirm that you are available to participate in the eight week programme beginning the week of September 28, 2026.
3. Prepare to complete both the technical and non technical portions of the application.
4. Complete the MAIA AI Safety Fundamentals Fellowship application.
5. Submit your application by September 23, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
6. If selected, participate in the weekly fellowship sessions and engage actively with the readings and discussions.