Institute for Law & Al's Summer Research Fellowship 2026 (With up to $1,500 in Stipend)

Institute for Law & Al's Summer has opened applicastions for its Research Fellowship 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.

About Institute for Law & Al's Summer Research Fellowship

Opportunity Details

Date Published: November 17, 2025
Application Deadline: January 30, 2026
Category: Postgraduate PhD Fellowship Fully Funded Grants
Oppotunity Locations: United States

The Institute for Law & AI’s Summer Research Fellowship (US) is a paid program that offers law students, professionals, and academics the opportunity to work at the leading edge of AI law and policy, with a particular focus on United States Law and Policy. The program supports intellectual and professional development, combining tailored research mentorship with career planning and opportunities to apply legal thinking to current governance questions with policymakers, researchers, and other leaders in the field. Previous Summer Research Fellows have gone on to pursue law and policy roles at the US Department of Commerce, leading AI labs, academia, and think tanks, including LawAI itself.

Sponsor Organisation: Institute for Law & AI (LawAI)

Benefits of Institute for Law & Al's Summer Research Fellowship

Weekly compensation: $1,500. Candidates with exceptional experience or qualifications may be eligible for higher compensation.
An in-person week in Washington, D.C. or Berkeley, CA (June 22-26), with eligible travel expenses covered, including flights, accommodation, and meals.
Admission to the Summer Institute on Law and AI in Washington, D.C., in mid-July, with eligible travel expenses covered, including flights, accommodation, and meals.
Close mentorship from our research staff and affiliates.
Q&A sessions with leading experts in the field.
United States Law and Policy networking opportunities and career planning resources.
Opportunities to explore future collaborations, such as follow-on funding through grants, invitations to upcoming events, and potential projects or job openings with LawAI.

Institute for Law & Al's Summer Research Fellowship Requirements

Applicants should have a strong understanding of the legal principles applicable to AI regulation in US Law and Policy.
While candidates should have an interest in AI law and policy and be prepared to apply their research abilities and legal knowledge to questions in our field, prior experience or expertise in AI-specific research is not required.
Past Summer Research Fellows have included:
- Graduate law students (e.g., LLM or JD), PhD candidates, and postdoctoral researchers
- Professionals at various career stages looking to transition into AI-focused roles in research, academia, government, or industry
- Legal academics
- See our Summer Research Fellows for more examples.
Ability to commit to full-time, remote-based work from June 15 to August 21. In exceptional circumstances, we may consider adjustments to the fellowship start or end dates; however, our strong preference is for full participation. Requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. To be considered, please note this on your application.
Ability to attend the in-person week in Washington, D.C. or Berkeley, CA, from June 22 to 26, with eligible travel expenses covered, including flights, accommodation, and meals.
If you receive an offer, we will make every reasonable effort to support visa sponsorship. However, our ability to do so depends on the candidate and their location, and the relevant authorities ultimately determine eligibility. Participation is contingent on holding valid work authorization for the location in which you will be based.

Application Date and Process

Step 1: Submit your application form by 11:59 pm ET on January 30, 2026 (the application should take approximately 20 minutes to complete). We will not be able to assess late applications.

Step 2: Asynchronous exploratory interview (30 minutes)

This interview aims to help us gain a deeper understanding of your perspective on AI development and its implications for society, law, and policy.

Step 3: Research interview (60 minutes)

You will speak with a member of our research staff to discuss your research interests, goals, and fit for our program. You’ll also have an opportunity to ask us questions.

Step 4: Decision

We aim to provide all applicants with a final decision by mid-March. If you need a decision by a particular date, please note this on your application form.