Opportunity Title : The Cambridge ERA Fellowship 2026 (Fully Funded)

The Cambridge ERA Fellowship is organised by ERA, a nonprofit talent and research organisation working to build expertise and a research community capable of addressing risks from frontier AI systems.

The fellowship provides selected participants with an opportunity to spend approximately 10 weeks in Cambridge developing a research project related to technical AI safety, AI governance, or technical AI governance. ERA describes its programme as talent-first, meaning applicants are not required to follow a traditional academic career path or come from a specific discipline.

During the programme, fellows work alongside other researchers in a collaborative environment. Participants receive support from a dedicated research manager and an expert mentor, helping them develop their research ideas, conduct rigorous work, and produce a useful final research output.

The programme is particularly valuable for people interested in developing a career in AI safety, AI governance, technology policy, security, research, or related fields.

ERA reports that its alumni have gone on to publish research and take positions in organisations involved in AI safety, policy, government, and research.

Who Can Apply?

One of the most attractive features of the Cambridge ERA Fellowship is its broad eligibility criteria.

ERA states that it is a talent-first programme and that there are no formal eligibility restrictions beyond being 18 years of age or older. The organisation welcomes applicants from a wide range of backgrounds.

Potential applicants include:

• AI researchers
• Computer scientists
• Technical professionals
• Policy researchers
• Policymakers
• Security specialists
• Legal professionals
• Economists
• Social scientists
• Researchers from other relevant disciplines
• Entrepreneurs
• Professionals transitioning into AI safety
• Professionals transitioning into AI governance
• Individuals with distinctive technical or domain expertise

You do not necessarily need to be an established AI safety expert to apply. ERA specifically encourages applications from people who can bring valuable expertise from other disciplines and apply it to important AI safety or governance problems.

The Cambridge ERA Fellowship offers extensive financial, professional, and research support.

1. Fully Funded Participation

Selected fellows receive financial support for the duration of the programme. ERA's official information currently describes compensation as the equivalent of a £34,125 annual salary, prorated for the length of the fellowship.

The exact amount therefore depends on the duration of the relevant cohort. Applicants should rely on the official fellowship announcement for the cohort-specific figure rather than assuming a fixed £10,000 payment.

2. Accommodation in Cambridge

ERA provides accommodation for fellows during the programme, helping participants avoid the significant cost of finding temporary housing in Cambridge.

3. Visa Support

International participants can receive visa sponsorship and support with the visa application process. This makes the opportunity particularly attractive to applicants outside the United Kingdom.

4. Travel Expenses

Travel to and from Cambridge is covered for fellows, reducing the financial burden associated with participating in the programme.

5. Meals During Working Hours

ERA provides meals during working hours. Its FAQ notes that meals provided under the programme are vegan and vegetarian in accordance with its organisational policy.

6. Dedicated Workspace

Fellows work from a coworking space in central Cambridge and have a dedicated desk during the programme.

7. Expert Mentorship

Each fellow works with an expert mentor who provides guidance throughout the research project. Mentors are matched with fellows after selection based on the researcher's project and interests.

8. Research Management Support

Fellows receive dedicated research management support to help them develop their ideas, conduct rigorous research, and produce impactful outputs.

9. Networking Opportunities

Participants become part of a community of researchers and professionals working on AI safety and governance. ERA also facilitates introductions to organisations and groups working in the field.

10. Professional Development

The fellowship can help participants develop research skills, policy expertise, professional networks, and practical experience relevant to careers in AI safety and governance.

Applicants must be 18 years old or above. Beyond this requirement, ERA does not impose a formal academic or professional qualification requirement.

This makes the programme potentially suitable for students, early-career researchers, experienced professionals, entrepreneurs, and individuals changing career direction.

The application process begins with a written application. According to ERA, the first stage primarily consists of short essay questions and is expected to take approximately two hours to complete.

Applicants who perform strongly in the first stage may be invited to an interview. ERA's process has included a first-round interview followed by a shorter second-round interview for candidates who progress further. References may also be requested during the later stage.

Successful candidates then work with ERA to develop their project ideas and identify an appropriate mentor.

Application Deadline

For the Winter 2027 cohort, applications should be submitted by:

13 September 2026, 11:59 PM Anywhere on Earth (AoE).

Applicants are strongly encouraged not to wait until the final hours before the deadline. Preparing thoughtful responses to the written questions can take considerable time.