NetHope Humanitarian AI Research Fellowship 2026/2027

Applications are open for the NetHope Humanitarian AI Research Fellowship 2026/2027, a new short term research opportunity designed for experienced practitioners and researchers interested in the responsible use of artificial intelligence in humanitarian and development work. The fellowship is being piloted by NetHope to expand the pool of professionals who can examine how AI is adopted, governed, evaluated and localized for use in real world humanitarian settings.

The fellowship is part time, fully remote and open internationally. It is intended for mid career to seasoned practitioners who can bring strong analytical and writing skills, independent thinking and practical experience to research projects with direct relevance to humanitarian organizations and the wider nonprofit sector.

Selected fellows will work independently within one of two research streams. The first focuses on AI adoption and governance, while the second focuses on AI systems and localization. Fellows will receive guidance from NetHope's AI Fellowship Lead and periodic support from subject matter experts while developing research that can provide practical value to NetHope Member organizations and other nonprofit organizations.

About the Fellowship

NetHope brings together humanitarian, development and conservation organizations to use technology more effectively in addressing global challenges. Its network includes more than 60 Member organizations working across more than 190 countries, alongside partnerships with technology companies and other stakeholders. The organization works to strengthen digital capabilities and encourage responsible technology adoption across the nonprofit sector.

The Humanitarian AI Research Fellowship responds to the growing need for evidence based approaches to artificial intelligence in humanitarian and development environments. Rather than focusing only on theoretical questions, the fellowship seeks practical research that can help organizations understand opportunities, limitations, risks and responsible approaches to AI.

Fellows will be expected to conduct independent research while following NetHope's AI policy, data protection requirements and research ethics standards. Research involving NetHope Members or partners requires appropriate consent, while findings will be reviewed by NetHope before publication.

The fellowship provides an opportunity to contribute to emerging discussions around responsible AI while producing research that can inform humanitarian organizations, technology practitioners and nonprofit leaders.

Fellowship Benefits

• Stipend in recognition of fellows' time and contributions

• Guidance from the NetHope AI Fellowship Lead

• Periodic engagement with NetHope subject matter experts

• Opportunity to conduct practical research with humanitarian relevance

• Named author credit on research produced through the fellowship

• International and fully remote participation

• Opportunity to contribute to research that can inform nonprofit organizations

• Experience examining responsible AI adoption, governance, evaluation and localization

• Professional exposure to emerging humanitarian AI practices

Research Streams

Stream 1: AI Adoption and Governance

This stream examines how humanitarian and nonprofit organizations are adopting, governing and managing risks associated with AI tools.

Potential research areas include:

• Documenting real world experiences and lessons from organizations integrating AI

• Examining how individual implementing partners approach AI adoption

• Comparing direct vendor partnerships, open source systems, in house solutions and commercial tools

• Identifying factors influencing organizational AI adoption decisions

• Identifying important AI safety and governance risks

• Examining approaches to risk identification, mitigation and incident response

Stream 2: AI Systems and Localization

This stream focuses on the technical application of AI in humanitarian environments, particularly settings where localized, offline or low connectivity solutions are important.

Potential research areas include:

• Evaluating open source and open weight AI models

• Assessing localized and fine tuned models for humanitarian use

• Comparing open systems with closed proprietary systems

• Identifying practical AI applications for resource constrained settings

• Examining readiness gaps for AI deployment in low connectivity environments

• Developing simple and user friendly tools for specific humanitarian needs

• Contributing to supervised fine tuning prompts and datasets for humanitarian contexts

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants should be mid career to seasoned practitioners

• Applicants should have strong writing and analytical skills

• Applicants should demonstrate genuine interest in responsible AI and humanitarian impact

• Stream 1 applicants should have a background in policy, programme evaluation, humanitarian systems or international development systems

• Experience with technology adoption or organizational change is an advantage for Stream 1

• Stream 2 applicants should have a background in computer science, machine learning or applied data science

• Stream 2 applicants should have knowledge of or interest in the humanitarian sector

• Experience with model evaluation or red teaming is an advantage for Stream 2

• Applicants should have strong written communication skills

• Applicants should be self directed

• Applicants should be able to sustain an independent research project within a fixed timeline

• Applicants should be able to commit approximately 10 hours per week from mid November 2026 through February 2027

• The opportunity is open internationally

• Selected fellows must pass an OFAC screening before starting

Required Application Materials

• Curriculum vitae

• Letter of interest

• Two to three professional references

• Optional writing sample

The letter of interest should address the applicant's motivation, relevant experience and interest in humanitarian and nonprofit work. Applicants should also identify one major concern or risk associated with AI in the humanitarian sector, explain why it matters and briefly propose a possible mitigation approach.

Selection Criteria

Applications are expected to be assessed based on the applicant's relevant experience, analytical ability, writing skills, understanding of humanitarian or nonprofit contexts and interest in responsible artificial intelligence.

The fellowship particularly suits professionals who can independently develop practical research questions and carry a project through within a defined period. Technical expertise is important for the AI Systems and Localization stream, while policy, programme evaluation and humanitarian systems experience is particularly relevant to the AI Adoption and Governance stream.

How to Apply

1. Review the fellowship requirements and decide which research stream best matches your experience.
2. Prepare an updated curriculum vitae highlighting relevant professional, research, technical or humanitarian experience.
3. Write a letter of interest addressing all three questions requested by NetHope.
4. Prepare contact details for two to three professional references.
5. Include an optional writing sample if it strengthens your application.
6. Ensure that your application does not contain confidential information belonging to an employer, client or partner organization.
7. Submit your application before the October 9, 2026 deadline.
8. Be prepared to complete the required screening and fellowship requirements if selected.