The Cambridge Boston Alignment Initiative is offering a paid, full-time Summer Research Fellowship in 2026 focused on advancing practical research in AI safety. The program brings aspiring researchers into a collaborative environment in Harvard Square to work closely with leading experts on critical AI safety challenges.
About the Cambridge Boston Alignment Initiative (CBAI) Fellowship
The Cambridge Boston Alignment Initiative (CBAI) Fellowship is designed to accelerate progress in areas such as interpretability, formal verification, and compute governance. Fellows engage in hands-on research under close mentorship while contributing to work that addresses the risks and long-term impacts of advanced AI systems.
The fellowship is hosted in Harvard Square and connects fellows with mentors from top research institutions in the Boston–Cambridge ecosystem.
Funding Size
Fellows receive comprehensive financial support, including:
• Full stipend
• Accommodation
• Meals
• Research funding
This support allows participants to focus entirely on their research work during the program.
Who Can Apply
The fellowship is open to aspiring AI safety researchers with a strong interest in:
• AI interpretability
• Formal verification of AI systems
• Compute governance and policy
• Long-term AI risk and alignment research
Applicants should demonstrate strong analytical skills and a commitment to contributing to AI safety research.
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Geographic Eligibility
Open to international applicants who can relocate to Harvard Square, Massachusetts, United States, for the duration of the fellowship.
Sector or Thematic Focus
The program focuses on core AI safety research themes, including:
• Interpretability of advanced AI systems
• Formal methods and verification
• Governance of AI compute and infrastructure
• Alignment and long-term risk mitigation
Application Process
The selection process involves four stages:
• General application form
• Initial interview
• Mentor-specific assessment
• Final interview with a mentor
Required Materials
Applicants should be prepared to submit:
• Application form
• Academic or research background details
• Evidence of interest or experience in AI safety topics
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Key Dates
• Application deadline: March 1, 2026
• Fellowship period: Summer 2026
Selection Notes
The fellowship is highly competitive. Selection is based on research potential, alignment with AI safety priorities, and fit with available mentors.
Mentors are drawn from leading institutions including:
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Harvard University
• Northeastern University