The GovAI UK Winter Fellowship 2027 is a three-month Seasonal Fellowship in London, UK, designed to support impactful careers in AI governance and policy. The fellowship includes two tracks: a Research Track for research-focused roles and an Applied Track for non-research roles. Fellows join GovAI in person, receive a salary of £12,000, and take part in projects, seminars, expert Q&A sessions, and professional networking activities.
Programme Snapshot
Programme: UK Winter Fellowship 2027
Category: Seasonal Fellowship
Host: GovAI
Country: United Kingdom
Location: London
Duration: Three months
Fellowship Dates: 18 January to 9 April
Format: Full-time and in-person
Tracks: Research Track and Applied Track
Salary: £12,000 plus support for travelling to London
About the GovAI UK Winter Fellowship 2027
The UK Winter Fellowship 2027 is part of GovAI’s Seasonal Fellowships. These fellowships are three-month opportunities for people interested in building impactful careers in AI governance and policy.
GovAI describes the fellowship as a programme with two pathways. The Research Track is for fellows who want to conduct research projects. The Applied Track is for fellows who want to contribute to non-research roles and projects in the AI governance field.
GovAI was founded to help decision-makers navigate the transition to a world with advanced AI. Its work includes research, talent development, and engagement with decision-makers across government, industry, and civil society.
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Research Track
The Research Track is designed for research-focused roles. Fellows on this track conduct an independent research project on a topic of their choice.
Each fellow is paired with a supervisor from the GovAI team or network. During the first two weeks, fellows explore the AI governance landscape before developing a research proposal with input from their supervisors.
Research outputs may include:
• Report
• White paper
• Journal article
• Op-ed
• Blog post for an audience relevant to AI governance
Research Track fellows also participate in expert Q&A sessions, weekly seminars, workshops, work-in-progress meetings, and social events. These activities are designed to strengthen field knowledge, practical skills, peer feedback, and professional networks.
Applied Track
The Applied Track is intended for fellows who want to contribute to AI governance in roles where traditional research is not the main duty.
Fellows on this track work on projects in areas other than traditional research. These projects are pitched by GovAI or partner organisations.
Past applied project areas have included:
• Organising a high-impact event series
• Working as a project manager for policy engagement work
• Developing outreach and brand strategy for an AI safety organisation
• Designing an upskilling programme for policymakers
• Writing policy memos to inform live policy development
• Building internal products and automations for organisational workflows
Applied Track fellows also join expert Q&As, seminars, workshops, peer feedback meetings, and social events. They are encouraged to discuss follow-on career opportunities with the GovAI team and network.
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Salary, Duration, and Location
Winter Fellows join GovAI for three months between 18 January and 9 April. The fellowship is based at GovAI’s office in London, UK.
The role is intended to be full-time and in person.
Fellows receive:
✓ Salary of £12,000
✓ Support for travelling to London
✓ Lunch on weekdays while in London
✓ A desk in the London office
✓ Sponsorship support for 3-month temporary work visas
The official page notes that successful applicants who need a visa will need to remain in their country of visa application for some time while the visa application is underway.
Who Can Apply?
GovAI welcomes applicants from a wide range of backgrounds. The official page encourages people to apply if they are interested in using their career to help decision-makers navigate the transition to a world with advanced AI.
For the Research Track, GovAI is interested in applicants from backgrounds such as:
• Government
• Academia
• Industry
• Civil society
Relevant areas of expertise may include:
• Public policy
• Political science
• Computer science
• Economics
• Biosecurity
• Cybersecurity
• China studies
• Risk management, including assurance and auditing
For the Applied Track, GovAI welcomes applicants with experience in areas such as:
• Communications
• Policy
• Issue advocacy
• Events
• Research management
• Programme management
• Operations
• Fundraising
• Research
GovAI states that there are no specific requirements for the role. It also notes that it does not have strict degree requirements.
Selection Criteria
GovAI assesses candidates based on strengths and signs that they can develop relevant skills for AI governance work.
For the Research Track, the criteria include:
• Quality of work
• Relevant expertise
• Judgement
• Team fit
For the Applied Track, the criteria include:
• Relevant expertise
• Quality of work
• Judgement
• Team fit
Across both tracks, GovAI highlights qualities such as clear writing, strong reasoning, openness to feedback, intellectual honesty, comfort with uncertainty, and serious interest in contributing to AI governance.
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Application Process
The application process has three stages.
• In the first round, candidates submit a written application. Selected candidates complete a short automated abstract reasoning assessment of approximately 20 minutes.
• The second round is a paid remote work test. GovAI expects to invite candidates to this stage in August.
• The third round takes place in September and includes a remote interview and reference checks.
GovAI expects to communicate final decisions to candidates in October.
The official page also says applicants will be able to reach GovAI directly for deadline accommodations, accessibility support, or questions about the process once applications open.
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Expression of Interest
The official page includes an expression of interest form for prospective applicants. It also includes a recommendation form for people who want to suggest a candidate.
Prospective applicants can register their interest before applications open. The page states that the Winter 2027 cohort starts taking shape now and invites interested people to express interest or recommend someone who may be a good fit.
Apply Here
Review the official programme details and follow the application instructions provided on the official page.
