University of Oxford Institute for Ethics in AI Accelerator Fellowship Programme 2026
- Omran Aburayya
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
If you are a professional or academic deeply committed to shaping how artificial intelligence affects society — and you’ve been looking for a way to turn your ethical concerns about AI into something concrete — the University of Oxford’s Institute for Ethics in AI Accelerator Fellowship Programme is now open for applications. This program offers a rare, high-impact opportunity to work at the intersection of philosophy, policy, technology, and real-world application, backed by Oxford’s scholarship and extensive networks.
🎓 Fellowship Summary
Location: University of Oxford, Institute for Ethics in AI (based at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities)
Professional Level: Fellowship for established professionals or academics (not a student program)
Target Group: Practicing professionals or academics from any discipline, working in universities, research organizations, non-profits, or industry — engaged with AI’s ethical challenges
Fields of Focus:
AI & Creativity
AI in Care, Mental Health & Healthcare
AI & Humanity
AI, Law & Policy
Award / Funding:
Monthly stipend of £2,000 (for living, accommodation, travel, etc.)
Possible additional funding, on a case-by-case basis, for project costs (workshops, seminars, exhibitions) if proposed in application.
Duration: 6 or 12 months fellowship association with the Institute
Start Date: From February 2026
Application Deadline: For 2025/2026 fellowships, the application deadline is 10 January 2026.
Eligible To: Applicants worldwide; must hold a Master’s (or equivalent professional standing) and propose a project aligned with the fellowship mission.
🌐 Program Overview
The Accelerator Fellowship Programme is part of Oxford’s Institute for Ethics in AI, whose mission is to address the deep ethical questions emerging from AI through philosophical rigor, interdisciplinary collaboration, and practical engagement. The program is built around the conviction that to tackle AI’s ethical challenges effectively, we need more than theory — we need actionable solutions, policy influence, and cross-sector partnerships.
Fellows will join a global community, collaborating with Oxford researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers. Through seminars, public discussions, workshops, and potential public events, fellows get intellectual mentorship, high visibility, and access to Oxford’s thought-leadership space. The structure is intentionally flexible: fellows can work remotely, make short research visits to Oxford, or stay in Oxford for up to six months at a time (pending visa eligibility) to maximize engagement with university events.
The programme is backed by the Stephen A. Schwarzman Foundation, reinforcing its ambition to be not just academically rigorous but policy- and impact-driven.
🎁 Benefits & Support
Stipend: £2,000 monthly to support your living, travel, and accommodation.
Project Funding (Optional): If your proposal includes workshops, seminars, or public engagement, you can request additional funding.
Mentorship & Networking: Work closely with Oxford faculty, join intellectual events, and connect with other fellows.
Visibility: Opportunities to present your work via seminars, public discourse, or collaborative events.
Flexible Engagement: Combine remote work with in-person stays in Oxford (up to 6 months), aligning with your ongoing professional commitments.
Institutional Affiliation: Formal association with the Institute - giving you a credible platform within Oxford’s philosophy and ethics community.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To apply, you must:
Hold at least a Master’s degree, or have equivalent professional experience (typically 5+ years in a relevant domain).
Work in or be affiliated with a university, non-profit research organization, or an industry role (i.e., not purely independent) — or otherwise be professionally established.
Submit a project proposal that aligns with one of the four thematic areas (creativity, care, humanity, law & policy) and demonstrates potential for real-world impact.
Be proficient in English (since the program is conducted in English) and able to articulate your ideas clearly.
📖 Need resources to prepare for your TOEFL OR IELTS Exam? CHECK our top Picks:
ℹ️ Earns Commission
📝 Application Procedure
Here’s how to apply:
Application Form: Fill out the official online application form.
Email Submission: Send a single PDF (no more than 10 MB) to aiethicsafp@philosophy.ox.ac.uk with the subject “AFP Fellowship Application”.
The PDF should include:
Document 1: A one-page project statement:
The focus of your work
Desired outcomes and deliverables
Alignment with the fellowship’s mission
Societal, business, or policy impact
Opportunities for long-term collaboration
If requesting extra funding: a clear budget for workshops, seminars, exhibitions, or events
Document 2: A motivation letter explaining why you want to do this fellowship, how it fits into your broader goals, and what you hope to achieve.
Document 3: A two-page CV / résumé, highlighting relevant experience, publications / projects, and your professional background.
Passport Copy: Include a scan or copy of your current passport in the same PDF.
Submission: After sending your application, you wait for a formal decision in writing. The process is competitive.
🗓️ Application Timeline
2025/2026 Fellowship Cycle:
Applications open: 18 November 2025
Deadline: 10 January 2026
2026/2027 Fellowship Cycle:
Opens: 16 May 2026
Closes: 13 June 2026
Visa Considerations for In-Person Stay:
If you require a UK visa, apply at least 6 months before your proposed start.
If you don’t need a visa, apply 3 months ahead.
If you’re unsure about visa status, err on the side of applying 6 months in advance.
Remote Fellowship Start: The earliest remote fellowship can begin is mid-February 2026.
Immigration Support: The Institute will try to support UK visits where possible, depending on visa eligibility or existing right-to-work status.
✨ Additional Insights & Context
The Accelerator Fellowship is not just a research grant; it's part of a five-year initiative by Oxford to build a global hub for ethical AI thought leadership.
The programme is funded by the Stephen A. Schwarzman Foundation, showing strong institutional support and long-term vision.
It aims to break down disciplinary silos: fellows come from diverse backgrounds (philosophy, law, creative industries, healthcare), reflecting the belief that AI ethics must be interdisciplinary.
The Institute also hosts high-profile events (workshops, policy dialogues) that fellows may help organize or participate in.
Past or prospective projects might involve public exhibitions, policy proposals, creative works, or seminar series — the flexibility is part of the design.
🚀 Why This Fellowship Matters
Real-World Impact: Unlike purely academic programs, this fellowship explicitly encourages projects that influence policy, industry, and public discourse.
Credibility & Visibility: Affiliation with Oxford gives credibility, and there are many channels (public talks, seminars) to amplify your work.
Network: You’ll be part of a global community — academics, practitioners, policymakers — which can be invaluable for future collaborations.
Flexibility: Since you can combine remote work with time in Oxford, you don’t need to leave your current job behind to participate.
Support: With a monthly stipend and potential project funding, you get financial breathing room to focus on ethical AI projects.