The Digital Minds Career Development Fellowships 2026, offered by Longview Philanthropy in collaboration with Future Impact Group, provide funding for individuals interested in building careers focused on the emerging field of digital minds, including the consciousness, sentience, moral status, and welfare of artificial intelligence (AI) systems.

The fellowship is designed to support talented individuals exploring research, public policy, communications, entrepreneurship, and technical work related to digital sentience and AI ethics. Alongside financial support, fellows receive networking opportunities, access to computational resources where appropriate, and invitations to leading events in the field.

The programme seeks applicants who demonstrate a genuine commitment to understanding and addressing the societal implications of increasingly advanced AI systems.

About the Fellowship

The Digital Minds Career Development Fellowship aims to strengthen the growing community of researchers and professionals working on questions surrounding AI consciousness, digital sentience, AI welfare, and related policy challenges.

The programme recognizes that these issues are becoming increasingly important as artificial intelligence technologies continue to advance, creating new ethical, scientific, and governance questions.

Through financial support and professional networking, the fellowship helps participants develop expertise while preparing for long-term careers in this emerging field.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows receive a range of benefits designed to support both their research and career development.

The fellowship includes:

A stipend based on the duration of the fellowship, local cost of living, and the fellow’s previous experience.
Additional funding for research expenses or logistical costs on a case-by-case basis.
Networking opportunities with researchers and professionals.
Access to computational resources where applicable.
An invitation to attend the annual Mind, Ethics, and Policy Summit at New York University (NYU).

These benefits are intended to help fellows build valuable skills, professional connections, and practical experience.

Who Should Apply?

The programme welcomes applicants from diverse professional and academic backgrounds.

Examples of potential applicants include:

Graduate students seeking financial support for research on digital minds.
Technical AI researchers exploring AI consciousness and digital sentience.
Communications professionals interested in transitioning into AI ethics and digital minds work.
Non-profit entrepreneurs developing organizations focused on digital minds.
Civil servants, diplomats, or legal researchers interested in AI governance and policy.
Participants in AI safety fellowship programmes who wish to continue working on digital minds research.

Applicants from other backgrounds are also encouraged to apply if they believe their experience aligns with the goals of the fellowship.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated using three primary criteria.

1. Strong Interest in Digital Minds

Applicants should demonstrate:

Serious engagement with digital sentience issues.
Understanding of how digital minds relate to broader AI risk discussions.
Thoughtful ideas about where they can make meaningful contributions.

2. Evidence of Impact

Reviewers consider:

Previous achievements.
Academic record.
Employment history.
References.
Demonstrated ability to produce impactful work.

3. Fellowship Plan

Applicants should present a well-developed plan describing:

Fellowship activities.
Career development goals.
Potential future work.
Mentorship or advisory support where appropriate.

Applications are assessed holistically across all three areas.

Funding Priorities

The programme particularly prioritizes applicants who:

Would not be able to pursue this work without fellowship funding.
Currently have funding with significant restrictions limiting their proposed activities.

This allows the fellowship to support individuals whose career development would otherwise be difficult to pursue.

Eligible Fellowship Activities

Funding may support a wide range of professional development activities, including:

Graduate study related to digital minds.
Postdoctoral research.
Course buy-outs for academics.
Low-paid or unpaid internships.
Independent research and study.
Skill development.
Career transition periods.
Transition stipends between positions.
Other career-capital-building activities related to digital minds research.

The programme offers flexibility, allowing applicants to propose activities that best support their long-term career goals.

Application Requirements

Applicants are required to submit:

Biographical information.
Logistical information.
Resume, CV, or LinkedIn profile.
Approximately 300 words describing their motivation for working on digital minds.
A fellowship activity proposal of approximately 200–1,000 words.
Approximately 300 words discussing plans after the fellowship.
An explanation of alternative funding options or work plans if funding is unavailable.
Requested funding amount and proposed timeline.
Approximately 150 words describing what they would do if they do not receive fellowship funding.

Applicants should ensure that all requested information is complete before submission.

Location

The fellowship is remote, subject to grant eligibility in approved countries listed within the official application form.

This flexible structure enables participants from eligible countries to carry out fellowship activities without relocating.

Application Deadline

Application Deadline: 24 July 2026

Applicants are encouraged to prepare their materials well in advance of the deadline.

Why Consider This Fellowship?

The Digital Minds Career Development Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to enter one of the fastest-growing interdisciplinary research areas.

Participants benefit from:

Flexible funding.
Career exploration support.
Access to leading researchers.
Professional networking.
Mentorship opportunities.
Exposure to AI ethics and governance discussions.
Opportunities to develop independent research projects.
Participation in an international community focused on responsible AI development.

For individuals interested in shaping the future of AI governance, ethics, and digital consciousness research, the fellowship provides valuable career-building support.

Final Thoughts

The Digital Minds Career Development Fellowships 2026 provide meaningful support for individuals pursuing careers at the intersection of artificial intelligence, ethics, policy, and research. By offering flexible funding, networking opportunities, and professional development, the programme helps emerging researchers and practitioners build the expertise needed to contribute to one of the most important conversations surrounding the future of AI.

Applicants with a demonstrated interest in digital sentience, AI welfare, and related policy or research questions are encouraged to prepare a thoughtful application before the closing date.

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Digital Minds Career Development Fellowships 2026: Funding for AI Research, Policy and Digital Minds Careers