LawAI Summer Research Fellowship 2026 – €1,000 Weekly Stipend.

Key Highlights

Opportunity: Institute for Law & AI (LawAI) — Summer Research Fellowship (EU Law)
Duration: 10 weeks (29 June – 4 September 2026), including an in-person week (7–10 July 2026) in Cambridge, UK
Benefits: €1,000 weekly stipends (plus an extra €1,000 for in-person participants)
Focus: Research at the intersection of EU law, artificial intelligence (AI), and public policy.
Application deadline: 11:59 pm ET, 30 January 2026
Who can apply: Graduate law students (LLM/JD), PhD candidates, legal professionals, academics — from any country, with an interest in AI law & policy

This fellowship is a rare and valuable opportunity for law-minded individuals worldwide to work on cutting-edge questions in AI regulation, EU law, and public policy. This fellowship includes mentorship, exposure to leading experts, and a chance to shape the future of AI governance.

Applications are open — in this article, we will walk you through how to apply and what you need to know.

This 10-week fellowship offers you the rare opportunity to collaborate with experts on legal research at the frontier of AI governance and EU law. Whether you imagine drafting a law-review article, writing a policy brief, or helping advise governments or private-sector actors, you’ll have the support to shape your own project — in consultation with a dedicated mentor.

The program aims to produce results that could meaningfully influence AI governance — consistent with LawAI’s mission to ensure that advances in AI benefit society in a safe, fair, and lawful manner.

Benefits of Summer Research Fellowship

Financial support: €1,000 per week. If you choose to work in person at the Cambridge, UK office, you receive an additional €1,000 per week to support living costs.
Professional exposure and networking: Admission to the Cambridge Forum on Law and AI connects you with experts. Plus travel, accommodation, and meals covered.
Mentorship and learning: Work alongside LawAI research staff and affiliates, receive tailored guidance, and access Q&A sessions with leading professionals in AI law and policy.
Career opportunities: Potential follow-on funding, invitations to future events, and possible job or project openings at LawAI or partner organizations.

Eligibility for Summer Research Fellowship

You are eligible if you meet the following criteria:

Have a strong interest in EU law, AI law and policy, and legal research related to AI governance.
Applicable backgrounds include — but are not limited to — graduate law students (LLM, JD), PhD candidates, legal professionals, and academics.
Applicants from any country are welcome — you do not need to be based in an EU country or be qualified to practice law in the EU.
Have the ability to commit full-time from 29 June to 4 September 2026 and attend the in-person week from 7–10 July 2026 in Cambridge (with travel, accommodation, and meals covered). Note: participation requires valid work authorization; LawAI may support visa sponsorship depending on location and eligibility.
While prior AI-specific research is not required, you should be prepared to apply legal thinking and research skills to issues at the interface of AI law, policy, and governance.

Application Process

Apply and submit the application form: Use the official application link (below). The form takes roughly 20 minutes to complete
Exploratory interview (~30 minutes): Helps the selection team understand your perspective on AI, law, and policy.
Research interview (~60 minutes): Discussion with a member of the research staff about your interests, goals, and suitability. You will also have the chance to ask your own questions.
Decision: Final selections are expected by mid-March 2026. If you need a decision by a specific date (e.g., for visa planning), indicate this in your application.

The organizers emphasize equal opportunity — therefore, all qualified applicants, regardless of background, nationality, gender, or other demographic factors, are encouraged to apply.

Why This Fellowship Matters

As AI rapidly reshapes societies, economies, and governance, the legal frameworks that guide its development are increasingly crucial. This fellowship allows you to help shape those frameworks. By working with LawAI, you can:

Dive deep into pressing questions at the intersection of law, AI, and policy, especially in the context of EU regulatory environments.
Gain mentorship from experienced researchers and legal professionals working on AI governance.
Build a network with policymakers, academics, and industry experts, opening pathways to impactful careers in AI law, policy advising, academia, or think-tanks.
Contribute to research and policy proposals that could steer the direction of AI regulation — a chance to have real-world influence.