INSTITUTE FOR LAW & AI (LAWAI)
Institute for Law and AI Summer Research Fellowship
full · masters, phd
- ~US$15,000 (est.)Fellowship stipend
- Fully fundedFlights, accommodation and meals covered
- 8-12 weeksRemote research phase
- 1 weekOn-site research week in Washington, D.C.
- All nationalitiesWho may apply
- Law + AIResearch focus areas
At a glance
full
Funding
€14k
Max amount
Jan 15, 2027
Deadline
Open to all nationalities
Country
Institute for Law & AI (LawAI)
Provider
The Institute for Law & AI (LawAI) Summer Research Fellowship supports researchers working at the intersection of law, policy and artificial intelligence, with the in-person week held in Washington, D.C. The programme runs in 2 parts: a remote phase of 8 to 12 weeks in which fellows carry out preparatory research on assigned projects, followed by a 1-week on-site research week in Washington of immersive activities, mentoring and networking with policymakers. Fellows receive a stipend of around US$15,000, with round-trip flights, accommodation for the on-site week and meals covered. The fellowship is open to applicants of all nationalities, including graduate law students (JD or LLM), PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, legal academics, and professionals transitioning into AI law and policy; previous AI research experience is not required. Shortlisted candidates complete a video interview and a research interview, and the required documents are an updated CV and the online application form. Stipend amounts, exact on-site dates and the current-cycle deadline change each year, so confirm the figures and dates on the official LawAI fellowship page before you apply.
What's covered
- Research stipend — A stipend of approximately US$15,000 (~EUR 14,000 (est.)) for the fellowship period, paid to support the fellow's research work.
- Flights — Round-trip economy flights to and from Washington, D.C. for the on-site research week are fully covered.
- Accommodation — Accommodation is provided for the full on-site week in Washington, D.C.
- Meals — Meals are included throughout the on-site fellowship week.
- Mentorship and projects — Fellows work on assigned AI law and policy projects under the guidance of LawAI mentors and connect with policymakers and field experts.
- Networking — Access to in-person activities and a professional network of researchers and practitioners working on AI law and governance.
How to apply
Applicants apply online through the LawAI fellowship page, submit a short set of documents, and�if shortlisted�complete a video interview and a research interview before final selection.
- Review the fellowship details — Read the LawAI Summer Research Fellowship page to confirm the current-cycle stipend, on-site dates and eligibility before starting your application.
- Prepare your documents — Update your CV and prepare to complete the online application form covering your background and research interests in AI law and policy.
- Submit the online application — Complete and submit the online application form with your CV before the published deadline (around 15 January for the upcoming cycle).
- Attend the interviews — Shortlisted candidates take part in a video interview and a research interview to assess research fit and motivation.
- Receive the decision — Selected fellows are notified and given onboarding details for the remote phase and the on-site week in Washington, D.C.
Eligibility
Eligible profilesGraduate law students (JD or LLM), PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers, legal academics, and professionals transitioning into AI law and policy.
NationalityOpen to applicants of all nationalities; international fellows requiring entry to the United States are supported with the relevant documentation.
Research experiencePrevious AI research experience is not required; a demonstrated interest in AI law, policy and its societal impact is what matters.
CommitmentFellows must be available for the full remote phase (8-12 weeks) and the 1-week on-site research week in Washington, D.C.
The remote phase can be completed from anywhere; only the 1-week on-site component requires travel to Washington, D.C. International applicants should plan for the relevant U.S. entry documentation.
Eligible countries
Open to all nationalities
Deadlines
2027 summer cohort~15 January 2027 (est.)
Following cycle~January 2028 (est.)
Selection
Applications are assessed on the candidate's interest in and aptitude for AI law and policy research, the relevance of their academic or professional background, and their fit with LawAI's project areas. Shortlisted applicants are evaluated further through a video interview and a research interview, and offers go to the strongest candidates across the eligible profiles.
Verified sources
- LawAI Summer Research Fellowship - Institute for Law & AIlaw-ai.orgofficial
- Institute for Law & AIlaw-ai.orgofficial
About the provider
The Institute for Law & AI (LawAI) is a research institute focused on the legal and policy challenges of artificial intelligence. It works with governments, international organisations and other partners to develop legal and governance approaches to AI, and runs research fellowships that bring lawyers, academics and policy researchers into its project work.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the LawAI Summer Research Fellowship?
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Applicants of all nationalities, including graduate law students (JD or LLM), PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, legal academics, and professionals transitioning into AI law and policy.
Is the fellowship fully funded?
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Yes. Fellows receive a stipend of around US$15,000 (~EUR 14,000 (est.)), plus round-trip flights, accommodation for the on-site week and meals.
How large is the stipend?
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The stipend is approximately US$15,000 for the fellowship period; confirm the current-cycle figure on the official LawAI page, as amounts can change.
Where does the fellowship take place?
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The remote research phase can be done from anywhere, and the 1-week on-site research week is held in Washington, D.C., United States.
How long is the fellowship?
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It has a remote phase of 8 to 12 weeks followed by a 1-week on-site research week in Washington, D.C.
Do I need prior AI research experience?
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No. Previous AI research experience is not required; a genuine interest in AI law, policy and its societal impact is what counts.
What documents do I need to apply?
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An updated CV and the completed online application form. Shortlisted candidates also complete a video interview and a research interview.
When is the application deadline?
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The deadline falls around 15 January for the upcoming cycle (~15 January 2027 (est.)); verify the exact date on the official page.
Is there an interview stage?
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Yes. Shortlisted applicants complete a video interview and a research interview before final selection.
Can international applicants attend the Washington week?
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Yes. International fellows are supported with documentation for the on-site week; plan ahead for the relevant U.S. entry requirements.
What subjects can I research?
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Fellows work on AI law and policy projects, spanning legal research, AI governance and technology regulation, matched to their background.
How will I be notified of the outcome?
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Selected fellows are contacted directly after the interview stage with onboarding details for the remote and on-site phases.