NetHope is inviting applications for its part-time, remote Humanitarian AI Research Fellowship running from November 2026 to February 2027. Applications close 9 October 2026.
NetHope is piloting a Humanitarian AI Research Fellowship for researchers and practitioners interested in how artificial intelligence can be responsibly applied to humanitarian and development work.
The fellowship is part-time, remote and internationally open, with a cohort of 4–6 fellows working on practical research that can be used by nonprofit and humanitarian organisations.
Fellowship Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | NetHope |
| Fellowship | Humanitarian AI Research Fellowship |
| Format | Remote |
| Eligibility | International |
| Workload | Approximately 10 hours per week |
| Duration | Mid-November 2026 – February 2027 |
| Cohort size | 4–6 fellows |
| Streams | AI Adoption & Governance; AI Systems & Localization |
| Stipend | Provided; details shared with selected fellows |
| Application deadline | 9 October 2026 |
About the Fellowship
The fellowship is designed to expand the pool of people who understand responsible AI for humanitarian and development impact while producing research findings that NetHope members and the wider nonprofit community can use in practice.
Fellows will work independently within one of two research streams, supported by the AI Fellowship Lead and periodic check-ins with NetHope subject-matter experts.
Stream 1: AI Adoption & Governance
This stream focuses on how humanitarian and nonprofit organisations are adopting and governing AI while managing associated risks.
Possible research areas include examining real-world AI adoption experiences, comparing organisational approaches to AI adoption, identifying priority AI safety and governance risks, and studying risk mitigation and incident-response practices.
Case studies involving NetHope members or partners require their consent, and NetHope will review findings before publication.
Stream 2: AI Systems & Localization
This stream focuses more heavily on the technical side of AI, particularly localized, offline and low-connectivity applications.
Research may include evaluating open-source and open-weight models, comparing local or open systems with proprietary alternatives, identifying practical AI use cases in resource-constrained environments and contributing to libraries of fine-tuning prompts and datasets for humanitarian contexts.
Who Should Apply?
NetHope welcomes mid-career to seasoned practitioners with strong writing and analytical skills and a genuine interest in responsible AI and humanitarian impact.
For the AI Adoption & Governance stream, relevant backgrounds include policy, programme evaluation and humanitarian or international development systems. Experience with technology adoption or organisational change is an advantage.
For AI Systems & Localization, applicants should have a background in computer science, machine learning or applied data science, together with knowledge of or interest in the humanitarian sector. Experience in model evaluation or red teaming is an advantage.
Across both streams, candidates should demonstrate strong written communication, self-direction and the ability to complete an independent research project within a fixed timeline.
Fellowship Conditions
The fellowship requires approximately 10 hours per week from mid-November 2026 through February 2027.
NetHope will own the research outputs and related intellectual property, including datasets, prompts, tools and code. Fellows will be credited as named authors, while release and licensing terms will be set out in the fellowship agreement.
Fellows will receive a stipend in recognition of their time and contributions, although the amount is not specified in the supplied information.
All fellows must also pass an OFAC screening before starting.
Research Standards
Fellows must follow NetHope’s AI Policy and Data Protection Policy. An AI Disclosure Form must be completed before the fellowship starts.
Research involving personal data or affected communities must meet NetHope’s stated data protection and research ethics requirements.
Application Requirements
Applicants should submit:
- CV
- Letter of interest
- Two to three professional references
- Optional writing sample
The letter of interest should address the applicant’s motivation and relevant experience, a major AI concern or risk in the humanitarian sector and a possible mitigation approach, and an example of an AI tool used or evaluated in a real project.
Applicants are specifically asked not to include confidential information about employers or clients.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
This fellowship is particularly suited to experienced professionals working at the intersection of AI, data science, technology, humanitarian operations, international development and responsible AI governance.
The two-stream structure allows applicants to pursue either the organisational and policy side of AI adoption or the technical challenges of AI systems and localization.
The relatively small cohort of 4–6 fellows and the independent research format mean applicants should demonstrate strong analytical writing, relevant experience and a clear research perspective.
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted by 9 October 2026.
NetHope states that, because it expects a high volume of applications, it may review applications and select fellows before the closing date. Only applicants selected for further consideration will be contacted.
How to Apply
The supplied fellowship announcement instructs applicants to submit their proposal through the NetHope application form linked as “HERE” in the original announcement. The actual application URL was not included in the source provided here.
Applicants should use the application form from the official NetHope fellowship announcement and submit all required materials before 9 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NetHope Humanitarian AI Research Fellowship?
It is a short-term research fellowship focused on the responsible use of AI in humanitarian and development work.
Is the fellowship remote?
Yes. The fellowship is remote and internationally open.
How much time does it require?
Fellows are expected to contribute approximately 10 hours per week.
How long does the fellowship last?
The fellowship runs from mid-November 2026 through February 2027.
What research streams are available?
There are two streams: AI Adoption & Governance and AI Systems & Localization.
Who can apply?
NetHope is seeking mainly mid-career to seasoned practitioners, with relevant policy, humanitarian, international development, computer science, machine learning or applied data science backgrounds depending on the stream.
Is the fellowship paid?
Yes. Fellows receive a stipend, but the amount is not specified in the supplied announcement.
How many fellows will be selected?
The planned cohort size is 4–6 fellows.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is 9 October 2026.
Does NetHope own the research produced during the fellowship?
Yes. NetHope states that it will own the research outputs and related intellectual property, with fellows credited as named authors. The release and licensing terms will be defined in the fellowship agreement.
Disclaimer
Opportunities Feed is sharing this fellowship for informational and career purposes. We are not affiliated with NetHope and do not recruit applicants on its behalf. Applicants should review the official fellowship announcement and application form for the latest requirements, terms and submission instructions before applying.
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