The ERA Fellowship 2027 is now accepting applications from people interested in artificial intelligence safety, governance, and research. The 10-week programme will take place in Cambridge, United Kingdom, beginning on 18 January 2027.
Importantly, the programme welcomes applicants from different academic and professional backgrounds. You do not need a specific degree or job title to apply. Instead, ERA looks for talented people who can contribute to its mission.
ERA Fellowship 2027 Overview
The Cambridge programme focuses on research that can help reduce risks linked to increasingly powerful AI systems.
During the 10-week fellowship, participants will develop and complete a research project. In addition, they will receive support from experienced mentors and research managers.
The programme also creates opportunities to meet researchers, policymakers, and professionals working in AI safety and governance.
Funding and Benefits for Fellows in the ERA Fellowship 2027
The ERA fellowship offers full financial support. Therefore, successful applicants can focus on their research without carrying the main costs of participation.
Selected fellows will receive:
- £10,000 stipend
- Visa support
- Travel expense coverage
- Meals during working hours
- Dedicated desk space in Cambridge
- Expert mentorship
- Research management support
- Networking and learning opportunities
Furthermore, strong fellows may receive an opportunity to continue with ERA through its Research Scholars programme. These positions can last six months or longer and remain fully funded.
Who Can Apply for the Cambridge AI Programme?
The ERA fellowship programme has a broad eligibility policy. In fact, anyone aged 18 or older can apply.
ERA is particularly interested in:
- Researchers at different career stages
- AI and technology professionals
- Policy and governance professionals
- Security experts
- Legal and economic professionals
- People with unique technical or professional expertise
- Applicants who want to move into AI safety or governance research
Therefore, you do not need a traditional AI background. However, you should show strong interest in the programme’s research areas and explain how your skills can contribute.
Research Areas in AI Safety and Governance
The programme supports research across three main areas.
Technical AI Safety
This area focuses on how advanced AI systems behave and how people can keep them under meaningful human control.
Research may cover AI evaluations, interpretability, robustness, alignment, monitoring, and control. Researchers may also explore dangerous capabilities and ways to create stronger safeguards.
AI Governance
This stream examines how governments, companies, and international organisations can manage increasingly powerful AI systems.
Research can include regulation, international cooperation, corporate accountability, safety frameworks, and governance of autonomous AI agents.
Technical AI Governance
This area connects technology with policy. It looks at how governments and other organisations can measure, monitor, audit, and verify AI systems.
For example, research may examine compute governance, AI auditing, technical standards, monitoring, and hardware-based verification.
Application Process and Deadline
Key programme details
- Location: Cambridge, UK
- Duration: 10 weeks
- Start date: 18 January 2027
- Funding: £10,000 stipend
- Application deadline: 13 September 2026
- Deadline time: 11:59pm Anywhere on Earth
- Minimum age: 18
- Application status: Open
The application process begins with a written application. Applicants will answer short essay questions. ERA estimates that this stage takes about two hours.
After that, shortlisted candidates move through:
- Written application
- First interview
- Second interview
- Final offers
Applicants should therefore avoid waiting until the final day.
Why This Cambridge Fellowship Matters
The ERA Fellowship 2027 offers more than financial support. It gives participants a chance to develop research skills while working on important questions about the future of AI.
Moreover, fellows can learn from experts across academia, government, and leading technology organisations. The programme has links with researchers from institutions and organisations such as the University of Cambridge, UK AI Security Institute, RAND, Google DeepMind, OpenAI, and Anthropic.
As a result, the experience can help applicants build a strong foundation for careers in AI safety, research, policy, or governance.
You can also explore more opportunities on OpportunityLab.net
How to Apply for ERA Fellowship 2027
Interested applicants should review the fellowship information and complete the official application form before the deadline.
If you have a strong interest in AI safety, governance, research, or related fields, this fully funded Cambridge opportunity could be worth considering.
