Conservative AI Policy Fellowship 2027

Applications are open for the Foundation for American Innovation’s Conservative AI Policy Fellowship 2027. The fellowship is an eight week, part time programme designed for conservative policy professionals in Washington, DC who want to develop a practical understanding of artificial intelligence and the policy debates surrounding emerging technologies.

The programme is intended for professionals working across areas such as technology, national security, economic policy, energy, government and public policy research. It also welcomes technology professionals considering a transition into AI policy and exceptional early career applicants with a strong interest in the field.

The fellowship does not require applicants to have a technical background in artificial intelligence. Instead, the programme emphasizes policy judgment, intellectual curiosity, initiative and the ability to engage seriously with different perspectives on the economic, national security and societal implications of advanced AI.

About the Fellowship

The Conservative AI Policy Fellowship is organized by the Foundation for American Innovation and is based at its office on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

The eight week programme provides fellows with an introduction to AI from a policy perspective and explores how emerging technologies intersect with American economic, technological, national security and social policy.

Weekly sessions are generally scheduled for Friday afternoons or Tuesday evenings. Fellows should expect approximately two to three hours of participation during a typical week, including the main session, reading or preparation and periodic work on a short policy memo or project.

A mandatory weekend retreat will also take place during the fellowship. The retreat includes intensive workshops, collaborative projects and networking opportunities.

Fellowship Benefits

• Fully funded participation

• $1,500 stipend for eligible fellows

• Meals covered in accordance with applicable government ethics rules

• Retreat expenses covered

• Weekly sessions with technologists and policy experts

• Practical introduction to artificial intelligence policy

• Mentorship and guidance on a policy memo or project

• Collaborative workshops and project work

• Networking with professionals working on AI and emerging technology

• Exposure to major economic, national security and societal questions surrounding AI

Programme Areas

The fellowship covers several major areas of artificial intelligence and emerging technology policy.

• AI fundamentals from a policy perspective

• National security and defense

• Energy and American AI infrastructure

• Reindustrialization

• Semiconductor chips

• Export controls

• Technological competition with China

• Labor and market policy

• Economic and labor market effects of AI

• AI safety

• Children and family

• Broader policy questions surrounding advanced AI

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should be interested in artificial intelligence, emerging technology and the policy questions associated with these areas.

The fellowship is particularly suited to:

• Congressional staff and executive branch officials working on technology, national security, economic policy, energy or related issues

• Policy researchers and think tank professionals working on significant questions involving AI and emerging technology

• Professionals in the technology sector interested in moving into AI policy

• Exceptional early career applicants with a serious interest in AI policy

• Applicants with strong professional or academic performance

• Applicants who demonstrate initiative, ambition or leadership

• Applicants who can consider policy tradeoffs and engage seriously with competing perspectives

• Applicants who are intellectually curious about issues beyond their existing area of expertise

Required Application Information

Applicants should use the application to demonstrate their interest in AI policy and explain how the fellowship connects with their current work or longer term professional goals.

A strong application should clearly communicate:

• Why artificial intelligence policy matters to the applicant’s work

• The applicant’s interest in consequential AI policy questions

• Relevant professional or academic experience

• Evidence of initiative, ambition or leadership

• The applicant’s ability to exercise thoughtful policy judgment

• An ability to recognize tradeoffs and engage with competing perspectives

• The connection between the fellowship and the applicant’s professional goals

• Intellectual curiosity about questions outside the applicant’s current area of expertise

• Any relevant experience with artificial intelligence or emerging technology

Applicants do not need previous AI policy experience if they can demonstrate strong policy aptitude and a clear reason for developing expertise in the field.

How to Apply

1. Review the Foundation for American Innovation’s Conservative AI Policy Fellowship information and confirm that the programme fits your professional or academic interests.
2. Consider how your current work, experience or career goals connect with artificial intelligence and emerging technology policy.
3. Prepare your application responses, clearly explaining your interest in AI policy and the questions you hope to explore.
4. Demonstrate relevant professional or academic performance, initiative, leadership, intellectual curiosity and policy judgment.
5. Review your schedule carefully to ensure that you can attend the required weekly sessions and the full weekend retreat.
6. If you are a government employee, consult your relevant ethics office regarding participation and acceptance of fellowship benefits.
7. Submit the completed application through the Foundation for American Innovation before October 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET.