Applications are open for the Career Transition Fellowships on Digital Minds 2026. Professionals, researchers, and students can receive funding, mentorship, networking support, and research resources to explore AI consciousness, sentience, welfare, and moral status.
Overview
As artificial intelligence continues to advance rapidly, questions about AI consciousness, sentience, welfare, and moral status are becoming increasingly important topics of research and public discussion.
To support talented individuals interested in exploring these emerging issues, Longview Philanthropy has launched the Career Transition Fellowships on Digital Minds 2026.
The fellowship provides financial support, mentorship opportunities, networking access, and potential computational resources for individuals seeking to build careers focused on understanding the ethical, philosophical, and societal implications of advanced AI systems.
Applications are open to students, professionals, researchers, and exceptional individuals interested in dedicating significant time to studying digital minds and related topics.
About the Digital Minds Fellowship
The Career Transition Fellowships on Digital Minds are designed to help individuals transition into work focused on the potential consciousness, sentience, moral status, and welfare of artificial intelligence systems.
The programme is supported by Longview Philanthropy and administered in partnership with Future Impact Group.
The fellowship seeks to develop a new generation of researchers, practitioners, and thought leaders capable of addressing some of the most important questions surrounding the future of AI.
Participants will receive support to pursue independent research, develop new skills, explore innovative ideas, or establish projects and organizations that contribute to the growing field of digital minds research.
What Will Fellows Gain?
The programme provides flexible support tailored to individual career development goals.
Financial Support
Successful applicants may receive:
- Living stipend funding
- Flexible fellowship budgets
- Support for independent research activities
- Funding for career transition activities
Mentorship Opportunities
Participants can benefit from:
- Guidance from experienced researchers
- Access to mentors and collaborators
- Professional development support
- Exposure to leading experts in relevant fields
Networking Access
Fellows will have opportunities to:
- Connect with researchers and practitioners
- Engage with relevant organizations
- Participate in professional communities
- Build relationships within the AI ethics and governance ecosystem
Computational Resources
In some cases, fellows may receive assistance accessing computational resources needed for their work.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship welcomes applicants from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
Strong candidates may include:
Students
- Undergraduate students
- Master’s students
- Doctoral candidates
- Individuals pursuing advanced study
Professionals
- Researchers
- Engineers
- Policy professionals
- Philosophers
- Social scientists
- Technology specialists
Independent Researchers and Builders
The programme is also interested in supporting:
- Independent projects
- New organizations
- Entrepreneurial initiatives
- Novel research directions
Applicants are generally expected to demonstrate a serious commitment to developing expertise related to digital minds.
What Topics Can Fellows Explore?
The fellowship supports work related to:
- AI consciousness
- Digital sentience
- Artificial welfare
- Moral status of AI systems
- AI ethics
- Machine consciousness research
- AI governance
- Future impacts of advanced AI
- Human-AI relationships
- Responsible AI development
Interdisciplinary approaches are particularly welcome.
What Should Applicants Propose?
Applicants are asked to develop a fellowship plan that clearly outlines:
Objectives
What they hope to:
- Learn
- Research
- Test
- Build
- Achieve
Work Plan
The proposal should include:
- Timeline
- Milestones
- Planned activities
- Research methods
Mentors and Collaborators
Applicants should identify:
- Potential advisors
- Research partners
- Organizations they expect to engage with
Expected Outputs
Examples include:
- Research papers
- Policy proposals
- Reports
- Tools
- Educational resources
- New organizations or initiatives
Fellowship Duration
Applicants may request different fellowship lengths based on their goals.
Typical options include:
- 3 months
- 6 months
- Alternative durations with justification
The programme allows flexibility depending on project scope and funding requirements.
Funding Flexibility
Applicants are asked to provide:
Main Budget Request
The funding amount they believe is appropriate for their proposed work.
Minimum Budget
The minimum level of funding needed to pursue at least part of the proposed project.
Maximum Budget
The largest amount of funding that could be productively utilized.
Applicants should explain how funding levels relate to their objectives and circumstances.
How to Apply
Interested candidates must complete the fellowship application form and provide supporting information.
Step 1
Prepare an updated CV or résumé.
Step 2
Develop a fellowship proposal outlining objectives, activities, and expected outputs.
Step 3
Provide details of references.
Step 4
Prepare a budget request and rationale.
Step 5
Submit the completed application before the deadline.
Required Application Materials
Applicants will typically need to provide:
- Full name and contact details
- Current affiliation
- Highest degree earned
- CV or résumé
- Motivation statement
- Fellowship plan
- Post-fellowship plans
- Budget information
- References
- Additional supporting materials (optional)
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted by:
10 July 2026
Interested applicants are encouraged to begin preparing their proposals early.
Summary Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Fellowship | Career Transition Fellowships on Digital Minds |
| Organizer | Longview Philanthropy |
| Programme Partner | Future Impact Group |
| Funding Type | Fellowship Stipend and Project Support |
| Eligible Applicants | Students, Researchers, Professionals, Independent Builders |
| Focus Area | AI Consciousness, Sentience, Welfare and Ethics |
| Fellowship Length | Typically 3–6 Months (Flexible) |
| Mentorship | Yes |
| Networking Support | Yes |
| Application Deadline | 10 July 2026 |
Conclusion
The Career Transition Fellowships on Digital Minds offer a unique opportunity for individuals interested in one of the most rapidly emerging areas of AI research and ethics.
With financial support, mentorship, networking opportunities, and flexibility to pursue innovative ideas, the fellowship is well suited for researchers, students, and professionals looking to contribute to understanding the future implications of advanced artificial intelligence.
For those seeking to build expertise in AI consciousness, digital sentience, and related fields, this programme provides a valuable platform for career development and meaningful impact.
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