Apply for the Digital Minds Career Development Fellowships 2026. Receive a funded stipend, networking opportunities, research support, mentorship access, and participation in the Mind, Ethics, and Policy Summit. Applications close on 10 July 2026.
Overview
The Digital Minds Career Development Fellowships 2026 provide funding and professional development support for individuals interested in exploring careers focused on AI consciousness, digital sentience, AI welfare, moral status, and related policy challenges.
Offered by Longview Philanthropy in collaboration with Future Impact Group, the fellowship supports researchers, students, professionals, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and AI practitioners who want to contribute to the emerging field of digital minds.
Selected fellows receive financial support, networking opportunities, access to resources, and invitations to leading events in the field while developing expertise and exploring high-impact career pathways.
About the Fellowship
As artificial intelligence systems continue to evolve, important questions are emerging about consciousness, sentience, moral status, and the welfare of advanced AI systems.
The Digital Minds Career Development Fellowship aims to build a pipeline of talented individuals working on these challenges through research, policy development, advocacy, entrepreneurship, and technical innovation.
The programme supports individuals who are exploring career transitions, graduate studies, independent research, nonprofit initiatives, policy development, and other activities that contribute to the responsible advancement of knowledge in this field.
Future Impact Group will provide networking opportunities and assist with the fellowship selection process, while Longview Philanthropy funds the awards.
Benefits
One of the most important questions applicants ask is: What do I gain?
Successful fellows may receive:
- A funded stipend tailored to experience level, location, and fellowship duration.
- Additional funding for research activities and logistics where required.
- Access to networking opportunities with experts and organizations.
- Access to computational resources where applicable.
- Invitation to the annual Mind, Ethics, and Policy Summit at New York University (NYU).
- Career development support.
- Exposure to leading researchers and institutions working on AI ethics and digital minds.
- Opportunities to build long-term collaborations in a rapidly growing field.
- Increased visibility within the AI governance and policy ecosystem.
Eligibility Criteria
Another key question applicants ask is: Who can apply?
The fellowship welcomes applications from individuals including:
- Current graduate students.
- Prospective graduate students.
- Technical AI researchers.
- Communications professionals.
- Nonprofit entrepreneurs.
- Policy researchers.
- Diplomats and civil servants.
- Legal researchers.
- AI safety fellowship participants.
- Independent researchers.
- Academics seeking course buy-outs.
- Professionals exploring career transitions into digital minds work.
Strong applicants typically demonstrate:
1. Interest in Digital Minds
Applicants should show serious engagement with topics such as:
- AI consciousness
- Digital sentience
- AI welfare
- AI ethics
- AI governance
- AI policy
- Long-term AI risks
2. Capacity for Impactful Work
Evidence may include:
- Academic achievements
- Professional accomplishments
- Research contributions
- Leadership experience
- Strong references
3. Promising Fellowship Plans
Applicants should present a clear and realistic plan for how they will use the fellowship period to build expertise and contribute meaningfully to the field.
Preference may be given to applicants who would not otherwise have access to sufficient funding for this work.
Eligible Activities
The fellowship can support a wide variety of activities, including:
- Graduate studies related to digital minds
- Postdoctoral research
- Independent research projects
- Academic course buy-outs
- Unpaid or low-paid internships
- Career exploration periods
- Skill development programmes
- Transition stipends between roles
- Startup and nonprofit exploration
- Other activities that build career capital in this field
Application Process
Applicants often ask: How do I apply?
To apply:
Step 1
Complete the fellowship application form.
Step 2
Prepare all required documents and information.
Step 3
Submit your application before the deadline.
Step 4
Wait for the review process and possible follow-up communication from the fellowship team.
Required Documents
Applicants will need to provide:
- Personal and logistical information.
- CV, résumé, or LinkedIn profile.
- Statement explaining motivation for working on digital minds issues (approximately 300 words).
- Fellowship activity plan (approximately 200–1000 words).
- Description of future career plans after the fellowship (approximately 300 words).
- Explanation of alternative funding options and plans if funding is not received.
- Requested funding amount and timeline.
- Description of what would be done if funding is unavailable (approximately 150 words).
- References where requested.
Application Deadline
Deadline: 10 July 2026
Applicants are encouraged to apply early to allow sufficient time for preparation and submission.
Summary Table
| Opportunity | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | Digital Minds Career Development Fellowships 2026 |
| Funding Organization | Longview Philanthropy |
| Partner Organization | Future Impact Group |
| Location | Remote |
| Eligible Countries | Grant-eligible countries listed in application form |
| Funding | Stipend plus additional research/logistics funding |
| Career Areas | AI Ethics, AI Governance, AI Policy, Digital Sentience, AI Welfare |
| Eligible Applicants | Students, Researchers, Professionals, Entrepreneurs, Policymakers |
| Additional Benefits | Networking, Mentorship, Summit Invitation, Computational Resources |
| Deadline | 10 July 2026 |
Conclusion
The Digital Minds Career Development Fellowships 2026 offer a rare opportunity for individuals interested in AI ethics, digital sentience, AI governance, and related research fields to receive financial support while building expertise in one of the most important emerging areas of technology and society.
Whether you are a researcher, graduate student, policy professional, entrepreneur, or technical specialist, this fellowship can provide the resources, connections, and support needed to pursue impactful work at the intersection of artificial intelligence and ethics.
Interested candidates should begin preparing their applications well before the 10 July 2026 deadline.
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