The UK is calling its brightest AI minds to build bold, open, and impactful technology for the public good. In partnership with the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), the Alan Turing Institute, and Meta, applications are now open for the prestigious Open Source AI Fellowship 2025–2026.
This 12-month, fully funded Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for top-tier AI engineers, researchers, and developers to build real-world, open-source tools that serve critical government needs. The programme begins in January 2026 and is designed to support innovation at the very heart of the UK’s digital public infrastructure.
What makes the Open Source AI Fellowship Special?
Fellows will be embedded within DSIT, the UK’s central tech innovation department, while receiving academic guidance from the Alan Turing Institute and technical backing from i.AI, the UK Government’s AI incubator. It’s more than just research—it’s hands-on innovation that directly impacts public services, communities, and national digital strategy.
Example projects include:
- Building AI systems that operate offline for emergency response in power or connectivity outages
- Developing tools for processing classified documents securely
- Creating AI legal assistants trained on UK laws for planning and compliance
- Ensuring outputs remain open source, scalable, and transparent for public benefit
YOU CAN ALSO APPLY FOR: NOMIS Fellowship 2026 in Switzerland for Interdisciplinary Researchers
Host Country
United Kingdom (Hybrid: in-office and remote work)
Application Timeline
- Call for applications opens: Week of 14 July 2025
- Submission deadline: Mid-August 2025
Early expressions of interest are strongly encouraged.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, you must:
- Hold a PhD or equivalent experience in AI, machine learning, data science, or a related discipline
- Have a track record of shipping real-world AI systems
- Bring a builder’s mindset, entrepreneurial energy, and strong leadership skills
- Be a UK resident for at least the last 5 years (for security clearance)
- Be legally permitted to work in the UK without employer sponsorship
- Currently be employed (0.8–1.0 FTE) at a UK-based institution, with employer support for secondment
- Ensure your current contract runs beyond December 2026
Fellowship Benefits
- Salary reimbursement up to £85,000 per annum
- 12-month secondment at DSIT from January to December 2026
- Part of a cross-sector, interdisciplinary cohort of Fellows
- Mentorship from the Alan Turing Institute
- Opportunities to influence the national digital strategy and strengthen the UK public sector AI
- Outputs will be made publicly available as open source, for long-term societal impact
Apply for the 2026 World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program
Why This Matters
The UK Government is actively seeking to diversify and strengthen its AI leadership. By investing in this fellowship, it hopes to deliver tools that are secure, inclusive, and aligned with the public interest. This is an ideal opportunity for experienced AI professionals ready to shape national policy, build open solutions, and set new benchmarks for ethical AI in government.
How to Apply for the Open Source AI Fellowship
While the formal application portal opens the week of 14 July 2025, interested applicants should start preparing their documentation now. This includes:
- Academic and professional CV
- A portfolio of AI systems developed
- Letters of support from your current employer
- A proposal of interest aligned with the Fellowship’s focus areas
You can find more information on the official GOV.UK announcement or directly through the Alan Turing Institute’s website.
APPLY FOR THE OPEN SOURCE AI FELLOWSHIP
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