Apply for the Collective Intelligence Project Research Fellowship 2026. Paid, remote, 6-month program on AI, democracy, and public values.
Overview
The Collective Intelligence Project (CIP) Research Fellowship 2026 is now open, offering a paid, remote research opportunity for individuals interested in the intersection of:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Public values
- Democratic governance
This fellowship is designed for researchers who want to produce high-impact academic and public-facing work using real-world datasets on how people think about AI.
Programme Summary
- Programme: CIP Research Fellowship 2026
- Organization: Collective Intelligence Project
- Duration: 6 months
- Mode: 100% Remote
- Commitment: 5–10 hours/week
- Funding: Paid (milestone-based stipend)
What Makes This Fellowship Unique
This is not a generic fellowship — it is a data-driven research programme focused on real-world AI governance challenges.
Key Highlights
- Work with proprietary + open datasets
- Publish academic and public outputs
- Focus on real AI policy questions
- Flexible part-time commitment
Research Focus Areas
Applicants must align with one of the following three thematic orientations:
1. Democratic & Comparative
- How different societies think about AI
- Cross-country analysis of public opinion
2. Communication & Deliberation
- How people discuss and reason about AI
- Public dialogue and decision-making
3. Governance & Institutions
- Public expectations of AI regulation
- Policy and institutional design
Datasets You Will Use
Fellows will work with:
- Global Dialogues dataset
- Collective Generation dataset
- Weval dataset
These datasets focus on public input into AI governance and decision-making.
What You Will Do
As a fellow, you will:
- Conduct original research
- Analyze large datasets
- Produce:
- Academic papers
- Public-facing insights
- Contribute to global AI governance discussions
What You Will Gain
1. Paid Research Experience
Receive stipend based on milestones
2. High-Impact Publications
Publish work on AI governance
3. Global Exposure
Engage with international research community
4. Flexible Work
Remote + part-time
5. Career Advancement
Ideal for careers in:
- AI policy
- Research
- Data science
- Public policy
Who Should Apply?
This fellowship is ideal for:
- PhD students
- Researchers
- Data scientists
- Policy analysts
- Independent researchers
Required Skills & Background
1. Research Experience
- Experience with datasets
- Analytical thinking
2. Technical Skills
- Data analysis (preferred)
- ML or statistical tools
3. Writing Ability
- Strong academic or analytical writing
4. Interest Areas
- AI governance
- Public policy
- Democracy
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
1. Research Proposal
- ~500 words
- Based on CIP datasets
2. Research Questions
- Clear and focused
3. Methodology
- Analytical approach
4. Experience Statement
- Work with datasets
5. Motivation Statement
- Interest in AI and CIP mission
6. Supporting Documents
- CV (max 2 pages)
- Writing sample
Time Commitment
- 5–10 hours per week
- Duration: 6 months
How to Apply
Step 1: Review Data
Explore CIP datasets on GitHub
Step 2: Prepare Proposal
Develop a strong research idea
Step 3: Complete Application Form
Submit all required fields
Step 4: Submit Documents
Include CV and writing sample
Why This Fellowship Is High-Value
1. Paid + Flexible
Earn while working part-time
2. Cutting-Edge Topic
Focus on AI governance
3. Real Data Access
Work with unique datasets
4. Strong Career Signal
Highly relevant for future research roles
5. Global Impact
Contribute to shaping AI policy
Tips to Increase Your Chances
- Propose a clear, focused research question
- Show familiarity with datasets
- Demonstrate analytical skills
- Align with CIP mission
- Submit a strong writing sample
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the fellowship paid?
Yes, via milestone-based stipend.
Is it remote?
Yes, fully remote.
How many hours per week?
5–10 hours.
Do I need a PhD?
Not required, but strong research experience is expected.
Can teams apply?
Yes, but individual applications are also accepted.
Final Thoughts
The Collective Intelligence Project Research Fellowship 2026 is a standout opportunity for anyone interested in AI, data, and public policy.
With flexible work, real datasets, and paid research, it offers a rare chance to contribute to one of the most important global conversations: how society governs AI.
If you have strong research skills and a compelling idea, this is an opportunity worth pursuing.
Keywords
CIP research fellowship 2026, AI policy fellowship, remote research fellowships, data science fellowships, AI governance research, paid fellowships remote, machine learning research opportunities, public policy fellowships, AI ethics program
