The Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG) in Berlin is recruiting Impact AI Fellows for 2027. Over a ten-week fellowship (16 August – 22 October 2027), fellows learn HIIG’s Impact AI Method and use it to assess the real social and environmental impact of an “AI for good” project. The fellowship pays a €5,000 stipend, plus support for travel and accommodation for the in-person weeks.
There’s no nationality restriction, so Africans working in research, journalism, civil society, government or tech can apply. The deadline is 15 January 2027.
At a Glance
| Host | Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG), Berlin |
| Partners | Greenpeace Germany and Economy for the Common Good (ECOnGOOD) |
| Dates | 16 August – 22 October 2027, with a mandatory online preparatory session on 11 May 2027 |
| Format | Two in-person weeks in Berlin; the rest can be done remotely |
| Stipend | €5,000, plus travel and accommodation support where possible |
| Requirement | A master’s degree |
| Deadline | 15 January 2027 |
About Impact AI
Impact AI is a transdisciplinary research project at HIIG. It has developed a structured method for assessing the societal and environmental impacts of AI systems used for sustainability and the public good. Fellows apply the method to real AI projects and produce evidence for the debate on “AI for good”.
What Fellows Do
- Learn the Impact AI Method in hands-on workshops
- Carry out a complete impact assessment of a real AI project: preparing and conducting interviews, analysing data and writing the assessment report
- Present and discuss their results with peers and researchers
- Write a case report as lead author
You can propose an AI project to assess, but you don’t have to. HIIG runs a “call for cases” to match fellows with suitable projects.
Programme Structure
| Phase | Dates | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Preparatory session | 11 May 2027 | Online (mandatory) |
| Week 1: method and interview workshops | 16–20 August | In person, Berlin |
| Weeks 2–6: independent research | 23 August – 1 October | Remote possible, with weekly check-ins |
| Week 7: presenting results | 4–8 October | In person, Berlin |
| Weeks 8–10: writing the report | 11–22 October | Remote possible |
Benefits
- A fixed €5,000 stipend for the ten weeks. Any taxes or social security in your home country come out of this amount.
- Travel and accommodation support for the in-person weeks, decided case by case and depending on HIIG’s capacity
- Thorough training in the Impact AI Method
- Workshops with researchers and practitioners, and individual supervision
- Lead authorship of a published case report
- Opportunities for future collaboration and publication
Fellows pay for their own health insurance, visa and meals. HIIG may help with other essential costs in exceptional cases.
Eligibility
- A master’s degree (required).
- You work in academia, journalism, civil society, the public sector or a company engaged with AI, sustainability or the public interest.
- Experience in the field is helpful. An academic track record isn’t required, but you need a strong interest in research and the ability to apply a complex method rigorously.
- You can work independently and collaboratively, and you’re highly committed and reliable.
- You can attend both in-person weeks in Berlin and all online check-ins.
Documents Required
Combine these into one file and submit them with the online form:
- A CV (max 4 pages)
- A motivation letter (max 2 pages) covering your AI expertise, organisational background and, if relevant, your organisation’s motivation
- Optional: a description of an AI project you’d like to assess (max 2 pages)
How to Apply
- Read the full call on HIIG’s website.
- If you can, join an online information session on 10 November 2026 (10am Berlin time) or 17 November 2026 (3pm Berlin time). No registration is needed.
- Prepare your CV, motivation letter and optional project description as one file.
- Complete the online application form on the call page before 15 January 2027.
Official HIIG Impact AI Fellowship 2027 call and application form
Tips for African Applicants
- Propose an African AI project. Possible examples include AI for crop disease detection, flood early warning, health triage or local-language tools. Projects like these bring valuable new evidence.
- Show you can do interviews and qualitative analysis, since the method relies heavily on them.
- Apply for a Schengen visa early. You’ll need it for both Berlin weeks (August and October).
- Budget for meals and insurance, as these aren’t covered.
