USA: Institute for Law & AI’s Summer Research Fellowship (paid summer program for law students, professionals, and academics) 2025

Institute for Law & AI’s Summer Research Fellowship (paid summer program that offers law students, professionals, and academics) 2025Apply below.

When is Application Deadline:

15th January 2025, at 11:59 pm

Tell Me About Award:

The Institute for Law & AI’s (LawAI) Summer Research Fellowship (US) is a paid summer program that offers law students, professionals, and academics the opportunity to work at the leading edge of AI law and policy. The program is designed to support intellectual and professional development, combining tailored research mentorship with career planning and opportunities to engage with policymakers, researchers, and other leaders in the field.

As a Summer Research Fellow, you will work with your mentor to develop a research plan tailored to your experience, skills, and interests. Some Fellows may focus on a longer, singular project such as drafting a policy report or authoring a law review article, while others might contribute to a range of initiatives such as conducting legal research that supports a variety of research and advisory projects led by LawAI staff. Fellows may also have opportunities to help advise policymakers, government, and private sector organizations.

As a general matter, Fellows will have considerable discretion over the form of outputs they pursue (e.g. choosing between publishing a law review article vs a policy brief). Topic selection will be determined in conjunction with your mentor. Projects should generally align with LawAI’s mission to  ensure that major advances in AI are beneficial and safe for the public. It may also help to review LawAI’s current Workstreams and Research Directions including:

• Institutions and procedures 
• Law & compute
• International regulatory institutions
• Liability and insurance
• AI agents and the rule of law

We welcome suggestions for other topics that have a clear connection to our research priorities.

The fellowship is remote-first and lasts 8-12 weeks with a fully-funded on-site week in Washington D.C. July 7-11. Optionally, fellows can choose to locate themselves in Washington DC, where other fellows and certain LawAI staff will be more available for in-person collaboration.

We offer two cohort start dates:

• US Cohort 1: May 27, 2025, ending no later than August 15
• US Cohort 2: June 16, 2025, ending no later than September 4
• In-person on-site week in Washington, D.C., July 7-11, with eligible travel expenses covered including flights, accommodations, and meals

Fellows are expected to commit to at least 8 weeks of full-time work, participate in regular team meetings, give occasional presentations on their research, and provide feedback on other research work within their cohort and the broader LawAI team. 

Type:

Fellowship

Who can Apply?

• We encourage applicants with various skill sets, experience levels, and degrees of knowledge in AI law & policy to apply. While candidates should 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. 
• We welcome applicants from all countries interested in applying their skills to US law and policy. Past fellows have included:
  • Graduate law students (e.g., JD or LLM), PhD candidates, and postdoctoral researchers
  • Professionals transitioning into the field
  • Legal academics

If you’re not sure about applying because you don’t know if you’re qualified or the right fit, we encourage you to apply anyway — we often find that some of the most promising candidates underrate their fit for programs like this.

• Ability to commit to full-time, remote-based work for at least 8 weeks, beginning on either of the start dates listed above. Note: We will also consider exceptional candidates who can only join part-time but for an extended period. Students whose classes resume during the fellowship may complete it part-time during the semester. 
• Ability to attend the in-person week in Washington, D.C., on July 7-11.

Which Countries are Eligible?

International

Where is the Award Taken?

US

How Many Awards?

Not specified

What is the Benefit of Award?

• A stipend of $15,000
• An in-person week in Washington, D.C., 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
• Technology law and policy networking opportunities & career planning resources
• Opportunities to explore future collaborations, such as follow-on funding through grants, invitations to upcoming events, and potential project or job openings with LawAI

How to Apply:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply as early as possible. We will not be able to assess late applications.

Step 1: Submit your academic CV and brief application form here by 11:59 pm on January 15, 2025 (~15-minutes)

Step 2: Recorded video responses (~30 minutes)

• This interview will allow us to learn more about your interests, values, and approach to the fellowship. You’ll be asked recorded questions through video and then record your own reply. Please know that we are not looking for perfection—our goal is to understand your perspectives and thought processes.

Step 3: Research interview (40-60 minutes)

• You will speak with a member of our 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

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. If you need a decision by a particular date, please note this on your application form in Step 1.

Diversity and equal opportunity: We aim to employ people with many experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds who share our mission. We are committed to creating an environment where all employees have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their race, religion, disability, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, or if you have any questions about the application process, please contact careers@law-ai.org.

GOODLUCK!