The Pivotal Research Fellowship is a 9-week program for promising researchers to produce impactful research and accelerate their careers in AI safety and AI governance. Fellows conduct research, work with experienced mentors, participate in workshops & private Q&A sessions with domain experts, and build strong networks within the AI safety research community in London and beyond.

The 26.Q1 Research Fellowship runs from February 9th to April 10th . Apply until Sun. November 30th, 2025.

Fellows receive :

• Direct mentorship from established researchers (see mentors) and research management support
• In-person research space in London at the London Initiative for Safe AI alongside leading AI Safety researchers
• £6,000 to £8,000 stipend, plus meals and support for travel, accommodation, and compute

This is our 7th research fellowship, building on a strong track record of supporting researchers in tackling important questions about the safety and governance of emerging technology.

Past fellows went on to :

• work at organisations like GovAI, SaferAI, UK AISI, IAPS, AI Futures Project, Timaeus, Beneficial AI Foundation, Cooperative AI Foundation, Google DeepMind, FLI, and Institute for Progress
• start PhDs at the University of Oxford and Stanford University
• found organisations such as PRISM Evals and Catalyze Impact

In our most recent cohort, 70% of fellows who submitted extension applications received funding to continue their research for an average of 4 months after the program concluded, and they continued to receive guidance from their mentor and research manager.