Now accepting applications for 2026 Digital Minds Career Development Fellowshipa unique funding initiative designed to support individuals interested in exploring careers focused on consciousness, perception, moral status, welfare, and ethics in artificial intelligence systems.
This fellowship, offered by Longview Philanthropy in collaboration with Future Impact Group, aims to develop a new generation of researchers, policy makers, communicators, entrepreneurs, and practitioners who will address digital minds and AI sensory-related issues.
Application deadline is July 10, 2026.
About Digital Minds Career Development Fellowship
As advances in artificial intelligence continue to raise important questions about machine consciousness and digital well-being, Digital Minds Career Development Fellowships aim to help talented individuals explore impactful career paths in this emerging field.
The program provides financial support and professional development opportunities for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of AI sense and contribute to research, policy development, advocacy, or practical interventions.
Selected Fellows will receive:
- Scholarship tailored to length of fellowship, cost of living, and past experience
- Additional funding for research activities and logistics costs on a case-by-case basis
- Access to field experts and networking opportunities
- Compute resources, if applicable
- Invitation to the annual Mind, Ethics, and Policy Summit at New York University (NYU)
This fellowship is primarily remote and is subject to eligibility requirements and approved country as stated in the application.
Who should apply?
This fellowship welcomes applications from a wide range of backgrounds and career stages. While the program offers several ideal candidate profiles, applicants with non-traditional experience and who demonstrate high potential are also encouraged to apply.
Potential applicants include:
- Graduate students seeking funding for research related to digital minds and AI perception
- Technical AI researchers explore opportunities to make a bigger impact within the field
- Communication professionals shift to digitally minded advocacy and social engagement
- Nonprofit entrepreneurs considering the opportunity to create an impact organization
- Diplomats, civil servants, and legal researchers considering governance and policy solutions
- Participants in the AI Safety Program would like to continue collaborating with their mentors on the topic of Digital Minds
The program aims to foster interdisciplinary engagement and welcomes candidates from academic, policy, nonprofit, and technical fields.
Fellowship requirements and selection criteria
Applicants are evaluated using three main criteria that are considered holistically during the review process.
Demonstration of interest in digital sensations
Potential candidates must demonstrate:
- A serious approach to questions about digital sensibilities and AI consciousness.
- Understanding how digital mind research intersects with broader AI risk discussions
- A thoughtful perspective on where you can make a meaningful contribution.
Evidence of potential impact
The selection committee will evaluate the following:
- professional track record
- academic performance
- Work history
- References and recommendations
- Proven leadership and initiative
Quality of fellowship planning
Applicants must present a clear and realistic plan for how they will utilize their fellowship period.
Competitive applications often include:
- Defined research or career development goals
- Strong guidance or advisory structure
- A clear path to future impact
Priority may be given to applicants who face significant barriers to pursuing this research without fellowship funding.
Eligible fellowship activities
The Digital Minds Career Development Fellowship supports a wide range of activities focused on career building and research.
Eligible activities include:
- Graduate research on digital mind
- Postdoctoral research project
- Purchasing academic courses
- Unpaid or low-paid internships
- independent study program
- Developing technical and policy skills
- Career exploration and transition period
- Interprofessional transition allowance
- Other activities to build career capital with digital mind research and practice
The program’s flexibility allows fellows to tailor their activities to their individual career goals and development needs.
Application requirements
Applicants must provide detailed information outlining their background, motivations, and proposed fellowship.
Required application documents include:
- Biography and logistics information
- Resume, curriculum vitae (CV), or LinkedIn profile
- A 300-word statement explaining your motivation and interest in digital mind issues.
- A 200-1,000 word description of the planned social activity.
- 300 word discussion about potential post-fellowship plans.
- Description of alternative financing options and work plan
- Funding request details and proposed schedule
- A 150-word statement describing your plans if fellowship funding is not received.
Applicants are encouraged to provide thoughtful, well-structured answers that demonstrate both commitment and strategic thinking.
Benefits of professional development and networking
In addition to financial support, fellowships provide valuable opportunities for career growth.
The advantages are:
- Connect with top researchers and practitioners
- Exposure to new debates on AI ethics and digital welfare
- Opportunity to engage with influential organizations in this field
- Participation in professional events and professional networks
- Access to resources that support long-term career development
These opportunities are designed to help fellows identify impactful career paths and meaningfully contribute to the future of AI governance and digital well-being.
Why this fellowship is important
As discussions around artificial intelligence increasingly expand beyond safety and governance to questions of consciousness, moral standing, and well-being, the need for skilled professionals in this field continues to grow.
The Digital Minds Career Development Fellowship represents a significant investment in the next generation of thinkers and practitioners working to address these new challenges. The program aims to strengthen the global ecosystem of expertise focused on the ethical implications of increasingly sophisticated AI systems by supporting individuals during critical career transitions.
Interested applicants are encouraged to carefully review the program requirements and submit their applications by the July 10, 2026 deadline.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization providing this opportunity. For inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not submit your application or resume to GSO as it cannot be processed by GSO. Due to the large volume of emails we receive every day, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
