16 days left Fully Funded

OpenAI Safety Fellowship 2026 Berkeley, California (Paid)

Last updated Apr 17, 2026

Deadline

2026-05-03

Country

USA

Level

fellowship

Organization

OpenAI

Field

AI Safety, AI Alignment, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Social Sciences, Human-Computer Interaction, AI Governance, Safety Engineering

Funding

fully funded

Overview

The OpenAI Safety Fellowship 2026 is a paid fellowship located in Berkeley, California, USA. It is designed for individuals with a strong technical or research background who wish to focus on AI safety and alignment. The fellowship is scheduled to run from September 14, 2026, to February 5, 2027. It aims to address real-world AI safety issues, including safety evaluation, robustness, privacy-preserving techniques, and monitoring of increasingly autonomous AI agents.

Coverage

Fellows will receive a stipend of $3,850 per week. Additionally, compute resources will be provided to support projects as needed, up to approximately $15,000 per month.

Eligibility

This fellowship is open to all international candidates, including Ethiopian students. It is not intended for beginners or casual AI explorers. Applicants must possess a solid technical or research background and demonstrate excellent research skills, technical judgment, and execution competence. While formal degrees are not the primary criterion, the program is well-suited for those with backgrounds in computer science, cybersecurity, social sciences, and human-computer interaction. The program requires the capacity to address intricate safety issues and generate evidence-backed work.

Requirements

Candidates must demonstrate excellent research skills, technical judgment, and execution competence. The ability to address complex AI safety issues and produce work supported by actual evidence is crucial. The requirement for letters of recommendation is indicated, suggesting a formal application process.

How to apply

Applications are currently being accepted. The specific step-by-step application process is not clearly detailed in the provided content, but interested candidates should apply before the deadline. Chosen candidates will be notified by July 25.

Notes

This fellowship is a shorter, more intensive, and narrowly focused program compared to standard academic research fellowships. It offers unique exposure to rapidly developing sectors like AI governance and safety engineering, closely aligning with industry needs. Final selection decisions are anticipated on July 25, 2026.

Source & Verification

Host organization: OpenAI

Original source: BrightScholarship

Official application page: https://openai.com/index/introducing-openai-safety-fellowship/

Verify the deadline, eligibility, and document list on the official website before applying.

How to Apply

1

Read the full requirements

Visit the official application page and read all eligibility criteria carefully before investing time in the application.
2

Gather your documents

Collect transcripts, certificates, and references. Official copies may require apostille — start this process early.
3

Request recommendation letters

Contact your referees at least 4–6 weeks before the deadline. Brief them on the scholarship and your goals.
4

Write your motivation letter

Be specific about your goals, why you chose this program, and your plan to contribute to Ethiopia after completing your studies.
5

Proofread and submit early

Submit at least 3–5 days before the deadline. Technical issues are common — never submit on the last day.