In A Nutshell
The Policy Entrepreneurship Fellowship (PEF) empowers and guides participants in advancing their policy ideas into practice. During the fellowship (running from September 30, 2026 – February 28, 2027), each Fellow works as a part-time FAS affiliate to advance a policy idea from concept toward implementation by engaging decision-makers, building coalitions, and pursuing opportunities for real-world policy impact.
Responsibilities
The Policy Entrepreneurship Fellowship is designed as a flexible and open-ended opportunity for you to pursue impact with the help of FAS resources. Rather than focusing solely on research, the Fellowship emphasizes policy entrepreneurship, equipping participants to identify policy windows, build coalitions, engage decision-makers, and move promising ideas toward implementation.
- Develop and publish a policy memo addressing a specific frontier AI safety challenge, including a practical policy solution and a strategy for engaging the key stakeholders responsible for implementation.
- Participate in Policy Entrepreneurship training sessions and reading groups designed to deepen participants’ understanding of frontier AI safety, policymaking processes, and how to translate technical expertise into real-world policy impact.
- Attend an in-person California retreat, tentatively scheduled for November 4–7, 2026, focused on mentorship, community building, and advancing fellows’ policy projects.
- Attend an in-person capstone event in Washington, DC, tentatively scheduled for the week of February 22, 2027, to launch and disseminate fellows’ policy memos and engage with policymakers, experts, and other key stakeholders.
Criteria
We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. This fellowship is particularly well suited for early- to mid-career professionals with limited experience working directly in public policy who are eager to translate technical or subject-matter expertise into practical policy impact. Ideal applicants may come from technical AI research, academia, think tanks, civil society, industry, law, cybersecurity, national security, or related disciplines.
Applications will be evaluated holistically. We are looking for applicants who demonstrate:
- A clear understanding of a significant frontier AI safety, security, or governance challenge.
- A concrete, implementation-oriented policy idea with a credible pathway toward real-world adoption.
- Thoughtful consideration of the institutions, decision-makers, and stakeholders needed to implement their proposal.
- An understanding of the practical challenges associated with advancing policy and a willingness to engage constructively with them.
- Curiosity, initiative, and a demonstrated interest in translating ideas into practical policy impact.
