AIxBio Research Fellowship 2027: £10,000 Stipend for 10 Weeks in Cambridge

ERA, in partnership with the Cambridge Biosecurity Hub, is accepting applications for the AIxBio Research Fellowship (Winter 2027 cohort), a 10-week in-person programme in Cambridge, UK on biological risks in the age of AI. Anyone with a machine learning or data background can find a practical use for it here, since formal research experience is not required. The application deadline is 19 October 2026. Fellows receive a £10,000 total stipend, with travel and visa costs covered.

At a glance

Who can apply?

The official page and its FAQ describe a talent-first selection:

• You must be 18 or over by 18 January 2027. No other nationality or background restriction is listed.
• Formal research experience is helpful but not required.
• Working professionals can apply. Accepted fellows may need to arrange leave from work or study, and ERA says it can provide support letters.
• International applicants are welcome, and the organizer states it sponsors visas for participants from most countries. Your passport must stay valid until at least March 2027 and have one blank visa page.

The fellowship is in person. According to the FAQ, remote participation is most likely not possible, with exceptions for exceptional candidates.

What do fellows get?

For the Winter 2027 cohort of roughly 10 to 15 fellows, the official page lists:

• A £10,000 total stipend for the length of the programme.
• Travel to and from Cambridge, visa costs, and meals during working hours.
• Office workspace with the cohort, a dedicated project funding pot, and compute where useful.
• Research managers, expert mentors, talks and workshops.

Accommodation is not provided, though ERA offers guidance on finding shared housing. There are three tracks: Research, Placement with a biosecurity team, and Founding, which tests whether a neglected gap needs a new organisation.

How to apply

1. Open the official fellowship page and choose the track that fits you.
2. Submit the written application through the form linked there before 19 October 2026, covering your background and reasoning.
3. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Expect an interview with the ERA team, reference checks, and 0 to 3 work tests depending on the track.
4. Final selections follow, and the programme runs from 18 January to 26 March 2027.

The page does not publish interview or decision dates.

Advice from the al-khwarizmi team

• If your skills are in machine learning or data analysis, say plainly which biosecurity question they could help answer. The page says it values critical thinking and problem solving over credentials.
• Pick your track on purpose: Research if you have an open question, Placement if you want to work inside a team, Founding if you see a gap worth an organisation.
• Apply early. Review is rolling, so a complete application sent well before 19 October 2026 does not wait for the last day.
• Check the practical side first: ten weeks in person in Cambridge, passport validity, and leave from work if you are employed.

For another AI research opportunity, see the PAIE Scholars Program from J-PAL.

FAQ

Do I need prior research experience?
No. The official page says formal research experience is helpful but not required.

Is the fellowship paid?
Yes. The page lists a £10,000 total stipend, plus travel, visa costs and meals during working hours.

Can I take part remotely?
Most likely not. The programme is in person in Cambridge, with exceptions possible according to the FAQ.

Is there an application fee?
The official page mentions none.

Sources: AIxBio Research Fellowship and FAQ.