funding: $170,000-$250,000+ (Fellow: $170K-$200K; Senior Fellow: $250K+), plus benefits stipend, relocation stipend, and professional development budget
location: Washington, D.C. (mostly; some remote/other-city roles e.g. San Francisco)
host: Horizon Institute for Public Service
source-url: https://horizonpublicservice.org/ai-rapid-response-fellowship/
apply-url: https://horizonpublicservice.fillout.com/airapidresponse
The Horizon Institute AI Rapid Response Fellowship is a unique opportunity for technical and policy talent to work on AI security-related issues in federal offices. The fellowship offers a stipend of $170,000-$250,000+ and is designed for individuals with relevant prior experience. With a focus on helping the federal government respond to fast-moving AI security challenges, this one-year placement is available in Washington, D.C. with some roles available in other cities.
Overview
The AI Rapid Response Fellowship is a focused effort to help the federal government respond to AI security challenges by placing exceptional technical and policy talent in executive branch offices.
- One-year placement in a federal office
- Two tracks: Fellow track for established professionals and Senior Fellow track for senior candidates
- Work on AI security-related issues, including cybersecurity, AI/ML, biosecurity, and China studies
- Relevant experience can include technical or policy work in various fields
- Candidates who have worked in government before are encouraged to apply
- Strong candidates across the technical and policy spectrum are welcome to apply
Eligibility
The fellowship is open to candidates with relevant prior experience in technical or policy work, including cybersecurity, AI/ML, biosecurity, and China studies.
- Established professionals with 2-6+ years of experience are eligible for the Fellow track
- Senior candidates with 10-15+ years of experience are eligible for the Senior Fellow track
- Candidates with a mix of technical and policy expertise are encouraged to apply
Benefits
- Funding stipend of $170,000-$250,000+
- Benefits stipend
- Relocation stipend
- Professional development budget
How to Apply
To apply for the AI Rapid Response Fellowship, candidates should submit their application by July 22, 2026.
- Submit application through the online portal
- Provide relevant experience and skills in the application
- Highlight ability to contribute to executive branch offices from day one
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the duration of the AI Rapid Response Fellowship?
The fellowship is a one-year placement in a federal office.
What are the two tracks of the fellowship?
The fellowship has two tracks: a Fellow track for established professionals and a Senior Fellow track for senior candidates.
What type of experience is required for the fellowship?
Relevant experience can include technical or policy work in cybersecurity, AI/ML, biosecurity, or China studies, among other areas.
Can candidates who have worked in government before apply?
Yes, candidates who have worked in government before are encouraged to apply.
What is the funding stipend for the fellowship?
The funding stipend is $170,000-$250,000+, plus benefits stipend, relocation stipend, and professional development budget.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is July 22, 2026.