The READ Research Fellowship is a structured research program designed for individuals who want to engage deeply with the design, ethics, and governance of artificial intelligence. The fellowship is centered on producing original whitepapers and policy analyses that examine how responsibility and explainability can be embedded into AI systems at the level of design, architecture, and implementation.
Unlike conventional internships or training programs, the READ Fellowship emphasizes independent thinking, rigorous analysis, and collaborative research. Fellows work on clearly defined research questions, contribute to collective publications, and participate in structured peer review and editorial processes.
Focus
Fellowship projects explore questions such as:
- How ethical assumptions enter AI systems during design
- What explainability means for different stakeholders and system types
- How hardware and system constraints shape AI behavior
- Where responsibility and accountability should reside in complex AI systems
Projects are selected for their relevance to policy, standards, and real-world AI deployment, not for purely theoretical exploration.
Timeline
Last date to apply: 28th February 2026
Notification of Decision for Interview: 9th March 2026
Interviews: 10th to 20th March 2026
Fellowship Begins: 6th April 2026
Fellowship Ends: 5th October 2026
Final Report and Presentations: 10th October 2026
Structure & Engagement
The fellowship runs for six months and is conducted entirely remotely. Fellows are expected to contribute on a part-time basis and participate in research discussions, writing sprints, and review cycles. Select projects may include on-site surveys or contextual field research, planned in advance.
Outcomes
By the end of the fellowship, participants will have:
- Contributed to one or more publicly released whitepapers or policy briefs
- Gained experience in interdisciplinary research spanning engineering and governance
- Engaged with a global research community focused on responsible AI design
- Developed research outputs suitable for academic, policy, or professional use
Who the Fellowship Is For
The fellowship is open to individuals with a strong interest in AI, engineering systems, ethics, or technology policy, including students, researchers, and early-career professionals. Selection is based on clarity of thought, commitment to research, and alignment with READ’s mission.
