The University of Oxford—one of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions—is now inviting applications for its highly competitive Accelerator Fellowship Programme, hosted by the renowned Institute for Ethics in AI. This fellowship is designed for practitioners, scholars, researchers, policy-makers, artists, technologists, and innovators who are tackling some of the most urgent ethical questions surrounding artificial intelligence.
As AI rapidly transforms global societies, economies, industries, and personal lives, the ethical implications of these technologies have never been more important. Oxford’s Accelerator Fellowship provides a unique space for deep thinking, rigorous interdisciplinary research, creative exploration, and collaborative problem-solving.
If you are working on a project that explores how AI intersects with humanity, culture, justice, law, creativity, health, or public policy, this programme offers the ideal environment to refine your work and amplify its real-world impact.
Fellowship Themes
Applicants are encouraged to apply under one of the programme’s core thematic tracks, each addressing a pressing ethical dimension of AI:
• AI and Creativity
Exploring how AI reshapes human expression, artistic production, authorship, and intellectual property. Ideal for creatives, technologists, researchers in arts and humanities, and those studying AI’s impact on the cultural sector.
• AI in Care, Mental Health, and Healthcare
A track focused on the use of AI in clinical settings, therapeutic interventions, wellbeing technologies, and healthcare delivery. This theme invites clinicians, mental health professionals, bioethicists, technologists, and public health researchers.
• AI and Humanity
A wide-ranging track that considers the philosophical, cultural, social, and existential implications of AI. Questions around human dignity, autonomy, labor, identity, inequality, and the future of society take center stage here.
• AI, Law, and Policy
For legal scholars, policy practitioners, governance experts, and analysts examining regulation, rights, accountability frameworks, and the risks and responsibilities associated with AI deployment.
Each track encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovative approaches to addressing real-world issues.
Key Benefits of the Fellowship
The Accelerator Fellowship is designed to be flexible, supportive, and deeply enriching. Fellows will receive the structure and resources they need to advance impactful, ethics-centered AI projects.
• Monthly Stipend of £2,000
This funding supports fellows throughout their project, whether working remotely or onsite.
• Access to Oxford’s Research Ecosystem
Fellows gain entry to Oxford’s academic networks, faculty experts, research groups, libraries, and collaborative platforms within one of the world’s top universities.
• Flexible Fellowship Format
The programme accommodates different needs and schedules:
- Fully remote participation
- Short-term research visits
- Extended in-person residencies in Oxford
This flexibility allows professionals from around the world to participate without major disruption to their ongoing commitments.
• Opportunities for Public Engagement
Fellows will have opportunities to organize and participate in:
- Seminars
- Workshops
- Public lectures
- Panel discussions
- Joint research initiatives
- Cross-sector collaborations
These platforms help fellows share their work, gain visibility, and connect with leading thinkers in the field.
• Additional Project Support
Applicants may request optional funding for:
- Workshops
- Exhibitions
- Public engagement events
- Community-facing activities
- Prototype demonstrations
- Other project-related initiatives
This ensures that innovative and public-oriented work receives the support it needs to create broader impact.
Application Timelines
The Accelerator Fellowship runs two annual cycles. Candidates may apply to the cycle that best fits their project timeline.
2025/2026 Fellowship Cycle
- Applications Open: 18 November 2025
- Deadline: 10 January 2026
2026/2027 Fellowship Cycle
- Applications Open: 16 May 2026
- Deadline: 13 June 2026
Earliest start date for remote fellowships beginning in 2026: mid-February 2026.
Start dates for in-person visits may vary based on availability and coordination with Institute staff.
Who Should Apply?
This fellowship is ideal for individuals working at the intersection of AI and ethics, including but not limited to:
- Researchers and academics
- Policy analysts and regulators
- Artists, designers, and creative technologists
- Medical and mental health professionals
- Engineers and AI developers
- Philosophers and humanities scholars
- NGO and civil society leaders
- Legal practitioners and governance experts
Whether your background is technical, artistic, social-scientific, or policy-oriented, the programme welcomes diverse perspectives committed to understanding and shaping the ethical dimensions of AI.
Applicants are required to submit all application materials as a single PDF file (maximum 10MB). The file must follow the naming format below:
Surname_Name_Month_Year_AFP application
Once compiled, email the PDF to:
📧 aiethicsafp@philosophy.ox.ac.uk
Email Subject Line: AFP Fellowship Application
Required Documents (All Combined into One PDF)
1. One-Page Project Statement
Your project statement must clearly outline:
- Research focus: Describe the central theme and the ethical AI issue you aim to address.
- Desired outcomes and outputs: Specify expected deliverables such as papers, tools, frameworks, or public engagements.
- Alignment with programme goals: Explain how your work fits within the aims of the Accelerator Fellowship Programme.
- Potential impact: Highlight contributions to society, policy, public debate, or business practices.
- Opportunities for long-term collaboration: Indicate how your work may lead to ongoing partnerships with the Oxford Institute for Ethics in AI.
- (Optional – only if applying for additional support): A short proposal detailing any anticipated project-related costs, such as workshops, exhibitions, or events.
2. Motivation Letter
A concise letter explaining your motivation for applying, your interest in AI ethics, and how the fellowship will support your career, research, or practical work.
3. Two-Page CV
Include relevant academic, professional, or project experience demonstrating your ability to deliver the proposed work.
4. Passport Copy
Attach a clear and valid copy of your current passport in the same email (this does not need to be included in the combined PDF, but should be attached to the email).
Important Notes
- The programme has limited slots, and the selection process is highly competitive.
- Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance.
- All applicants will receive an official decision in writing once the review process is complete.
If you’re ready to deepen your research, expand your professional network, and contribute to global discussions on responsible AI, the Oxford Accelerator Fellowship could be the opportunity that transforms your work.