Imperial AI Policy Fellowship 2027

The Imperial AI Policy Fellowship 2027 is a nine month professional learning and development programme at Imperial College London for senior civil and public servants seeking to strengthen their understanding of artificial intelligence and its implications for public sector policy, strategy, regulation and service delivery.

Delivered through the Imperial Policy Forum at Imperial College London, the Fellowship combines expert led learning, in person sessions, online engagement, peer exchange and an individual research project supported by academic mentors. The programme is designed to help public sector professionals move beyond theoretical discussions of artificial intelligence and apply their knowledge to real policy challenges within their departments and areas of responsibility.

The 2027 Fellowship will run from February to October 2027. Participants will spend approximately 6 to 8 hours per month on the programme and must attend four in person days at Imperial College London throughout the Fellowship. The programme is delivered through a combination of London based and online activities.

About the Opportunity

The Imperial AI Policy Fellowship is designed for senior civil and public servants whose responsibilities involve policy design, policy delivery, technology, digital transformation, AI strategy or related areas of public sector work.

The programme provides Fellows with an opportunity to understand fundamental artificial intelligence concepts and examine their implications for policy, regulation, strategy and public service delivery. Expert led lectures, workshops and discussions provide a structured foundation, while the individual research component allows participants to explore a specific issue connected to their professional responsibilities.

Fellows also engage with the Imperial Policy Forum and the wider Imperial community. The programme can provide opportunities to interact with academics, specialists, fellow policymakers and members of Imperial’s technology and innovation ecosystem.

A central element of the Fellowship is the Fellow led research project. Participants identify an AI policy challenge or guiding question relevant to their work and develop it with support from one or more academic mentors.

Opportunity Benefits

• Tailored learning based on individual professional needs and interests

• Practical application of AI knowledge to real public sector challenges

• Academic mentorship throughout the research project

• Access to Imperial College London expertise in AI, engineering, medicine and science

• Networking with senior civil servants and public sector professionals

• Engagement with the Imperial Policy Forum and wider Imperial community

• Opportunities to examine AI policy, regulation, strategy and implementation

• Development of a practical research output relevant to the participant’s professional responsibilities

• Participation in expert led lectures, workshops and discussions

• Exposure to AI innovation and technology activities at Imperial

Programme Areas

The Fellowship explores artificial intelligence and its relationship with public sector policy and institutional decision making. Areas of activity may include:

• AI fundamentals and capabilities

• AI policy and regulation

• AI strategy

• Public sector AI adoption

• AI governance

• Digital transformation

• AI infrastructure and data management

• Public sector innovation

• AI applications and evaluation

• Technology policy

• Responsible implementation of artificial intelligence

The research project can take several forms, including written recommendations for AI adoption within a government department, strategic planning, technical solutions, experimental AI applications, improvements to AI systems and data infrastructure, facilitated workshops or a published white paper.

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a senior civil servant or public servant

• Have responsibilities related to policy design or delivery in an area affected by artificial intelligence

• Alternatively, have responsibility for AI policy or strategy within a department or public sector organisation

• Have a professional interest in understanding how AI affects public sector work

• Be able to commit approximately 6 to 8 hours per month for the nine month programme

• Be available to attend four in person days at Imperial College London

• Be able to develop an individual research project or guiding question connected to an AI policy challenge

• Be able to participate in both online and in person programme activities

The programme is particularly relevant to professionals working on technology, digital transformation, AI governance, regulation, strategic planning and public sector innovation. Imperial’s programme information does not state a specific nationality or continent based restriction.

Required Application Information

Applicants should prepare information that demonstrates their professional responsibilities, interest in artificial intelligence policy and objectives for participating in the Fellowship.

• Completed Imperial AI Policy Fellowship application form

• Information about current professional responsibilities

• Explanation of interest in artificial intelligence and public sector policy

• Details of professional goals and expectations from the Fellowship

• A proposed AI policy challenge or research question

• Information that helps Imperial understand the applicant’s suitability for the programme

Applicants should consult the official application form for the complete information requested before submitting their application.

Research Project

The research project is a major component of the Fellowship and is designed around each participant’s professional priorities.

Fellows may investigate how their department could adopt artificial intelligence, examine regulatory requirements for emerging technologies, improve data systems, develop recommendations for decision makers or design practical interventions for colleagues.

Previous project examples have included an AI model supporting food regulation, research concerning accountability in healthcare, a human centred AI workshop and work examining sovereign AI in defence. These examples demonstrate how the Fellowship can connect academic expertise with practical public sector challenges.

Programme Structure

The nine month Fellowship will run from February to October 2027.

Participants will engage through online learning and activities alongside four in person days at Imperial College London. The expected time commitment is approximately 6 to 8 hours per month.

The in person sessions provide opportunities for lectures, workshops, discussions and engagement with Imperial academics and specialists. Between these sessions, Fellows work on their individual research projects with academic mentoring and continue engaging with the Fellowship community.

This structure allows participants to undertake the programme while continuing their professional responsibilities.

Fellowship Cost

The participation fee for the 2027 Imperial AI Policy Fellowship is:

£1,500

The official programme information states that no VAT is added to the fee. Applicants should therefore plan for the participation cost as part of their professional development budget.

How to Apply

1. Review the Imperial AI Policy Fellowship 2027 programme information.
2. Confirm that your professional role aligns with the Fellowship’s focus on AI, public policy and public sector work.
3. Consider an AI policy challenge or research question that relates to your current responsibilities.
4. Think about what you want to achieve through the Fellowship and how the programme could support your professional objectives.
5. Complete the official Imperial AI Policy Fellowship application form.
6. Review your application carefully and ensure all requested information is included.
7. Submit the completed application to the Imperial Policy Forum at the.forum@imperial.ac.uk.
8. Submit your application before the deadline of 2 November 2026.