Pathfinder Fellowship 2026 for Students Worldwide (Funding, Mentorship & AI Safety Leadership)

Applications are now open for the Pathfinder Fellowship 2026, a fully funded global fellowship designed to support university students who are building the next generation of AI safety leaders.

Organised by Kairos, a nonprofit dedicated to helping society navigate the transition to transformative artificial intelligence, the fellowship equips students with funding, mentorship, leadership training, and career support to establish or grow AI safety communities at universities around the world.

Through personalised mentorship, practical leadership experience, and access to a global network of AI safety experts, the programme helps fellows move beyond learning about AI safety to actively advancing awareness, research, and community-building on their campuses.

The Pathfinder Fellowship supports students who currently lead, help organise, or plan to establish an AI safety group at their university.

Throughout the fellowship, participants receive one-on-one mentorship, collaborate with fellow organisers worldwide, participate in workshops and networking sessions, and gain access to practical resources for building successful AI safety communities.

The programme also provides funding to help fellows organise activities that introduce more students to AI safety while strengthening local university ecosystems.

Successful applicants will receive:

• Funding to support university AI safety group activities.
• Personalised one-on-one mentorship from experienced AI safety professionals.
• Career guidance from mentors working at leading organisations, including METR, RAND, Anthropic, and other AI safety institutions.
• Access to the AI Safety Groups Resource Center.
• Membership in a global community of fellows through Slack, virtual workshops, and networking events.
• Leadership support for building and managing university AI safety communities.
• Guidance on organising speaker events, workshops, outreach campaigns, and community-building initiatives.
• Graduate student organisers may also be eligible for a fellowship stipend.

Previous Pathfinder Fellows have gone on to work with organisations such as Coefficient Giving, Constellation, UK AI Security Institute (UK AISI), Redwood Research, MATS, Astra, Generator, and Horizon.

Applicants must:

• Be a university student from any country.
• Currently lead, help organise, or intend to establish an AI safety group at their university.
• Demonstrate a strong interest in AI safety and the societal impacts of advanced artificial intelligence.
• Possess sufficient understanding of core AI safety concepts to explain them to beginners.
• Show commitment to growing AI safety awareness and communities on campus.

Fellows may receive funding to organise activities such as:

• Guest speaker events.
• AI safety workshops and seminars.
• Student outreach campaigns.
• Community-building activities.
• Reading groups and discussion sessions.
• Compute resources for AI-related projects.
• Other initiatives that strengthen university AI safety communities.

Graduate student organisers may also qualify for additional financial support through a fellowship stipend.

MENTORSHIP AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT

A key feature of the fellowship is personalised mentorship from experienced AI safety professionals who provide guidance on leadership, community organising, research pathways, and career planning.

Participants will also join a global network of student organisers through Slack, workshops, and virtual community sessions, allowing them to exchange ideas, collaborate on initiatives, and learn from peers tackling similar challenges around the world.

The Pathfinder Fellowship is more than a leadership programme—it serves as a gateway into the global AI safety ecosystem.

Participants gain practical experience leading campus initiatives, receive funding to grow their communities, learn directly from experts in the field, and build professional networks that can open doors to research, internships, and careers in AI safety and AI governance.

Whether your goal is to educate fellow students, launch an AI safety organisation, or pursue a career addressing the societal impacts of advanced artificial intelligence, the fellowship provides the mentorship, resources, and community needed to accelerate your journey.

Applications close on 28 July 2026 (11:59 PM).

Interested students should complete the official Pathfinder Fellowship application form before the deadline.

Applicants are encouraged to clearly demonstrate their interest in AI safety, leadership experience, and plans for building or expanding AI safety communities at their university. There is no application fee.