Summer Research Fellowship (Legal Frontiers)

Applications close on January 29, 2027.

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Overview

The Institute for Law & AI’s Summer Research Fellowship (Legal Frontiers) is a paid program that offers law students, professionals, and academics the opportunity to participate at the leading edge of AI, law, and policy.

The Legal Frontiers team aims to grow new legal and policy paradigms to ensure that advances in artificial intelligence are beneficial and safe for society. Current research focuses primarily on 1) Law-Following AI and 2) Automated Governance and the Rule of Law. The team is eager to support researchers who can apply novel methodological or interdisciplinary approaches to the intersection of law and AI, such as originalism, empirical legal studies, law and economics, legal history, and comparative legal studies. Previous Summer Research Fellows have gone on to pursue law and policy roles at the US Department of Commerce, European AI Office, UK AI Security Institute, leading AI companies, academia, and think tanks, including LawAI itself.

Our goal is to empower the experts of today and tomorrow, ensuring that advances in artificial intelligence are beneficial and safe for society. The Summer Research Fellowship supports intellectual and professional development, combining tailored research mentorship with career planning and opportunities to apply legal thinking to current governance questions with policymakers, researchers, and other leaders in the field.

We look forward to reviewing your application.

About LawAI

The Institute for Law & AI (LawAI) is an independent think tank that researches and advises on the legal challenges posed by artificial intelligence. We believe that sound legal analysis will promote security, welfare, and the rule of law. We conduct research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, law, and policy and advise governments, international organizations, public institutions, and private actors. You can learn more about LawAI on our website, alongside our recent publications and an overview of our workstreams and research directions.

About the Summer Research Fellowship (Legal Frontiers)

As a Summer Research Fellow, you will collaborate with your assigned mentor to develop and execute on a project tailored to your experience, skills, interests, and goals. Some Summer Research Fellows may focus on a more extended, singular project, such as drafting a report or authoring a law review article, while others might contribute to a range of ongoing larger projects led by LawAI staff and affiliates, such as ongoing research projects and advisory projects aimed at governments, other nonprofits, and private sector organizations.

If you have a strong preference for performing a specific type of project, please note that in your application so we can evaluate whether we can support it. Projects should generally align with LawAI’s mission to ensure that major advances in AI promote safety, security, and the rule of law. It may also help to review LawAI’s current Legal Frontiers Workstreams and Research Directions, which will give you a sense of the subject matter appropriate for Summer Research Fellows.

We welcome suggestions for other topics that have a clear connection to our research priorities.

Summer Research Fellowship (Legal Frontiers) start and end dates

The Summer Research Fellowship is remote-first, lasting 10 weeks from June 14 to August 20, and includes a Convening Week in Washington, DC, June 21 to 25.

We expect Summer Research Fellows to participate full-time, attend regular team meetings, give occasional presentations on their research, and provide feedback on other research within their cohort and the broader LawAI team.

We also offer opportunities for in-person participation at our office in Cambridge, UK, or in Washington, DC, with our US Law & Policy team. Past Summer Research Fellows have found it valuable to be embedded within the organization and broader research and policy communities.

In exceptional circumstances, we may consider adjustments to the fellowship start or end dates; however, our strong preference is for full participation. Requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. To be considered, please note this on your application.

Benefits

Summer Research Fellows will receive a weekly subsidy based on their location, comparable to our other tracks ($1,800 per week for Summer Research Fellows based in the US, £1,000 per week for Summer Research Fellows based in the EU or UK). Candidates with exceptional experience or qualifications may be eligible for higher subsidies.
Although the Summer Research Fellowship (Legal Frontiers) is remote-first, we offer Summer Research Fellows the opportunity to participate in person with LawAI staff at our Cambridge, UK office or our Washington, DC workspace, with additional stipends potentially available where conditions specific to each location are met. Participation is contingent on having valid visa or immigration permissions for the location in which you will be based.
A Convening Week in Washington, DC (June 21–25), with eligible travel expenses covered, including flights, accommodation, and meals.
Admission to the 2027 Workshop on Law-Following AI, in Cambridge, UK, with eligible travel expenses covered, including flights and accommodation.
Close mentorship from our research staff and affiliates.
Q&A sessions with leading experts in the field.
Law and policy networking opportunities and career planning resources.
Opportunities to explore future collaborations, such as follow-on funding through grants, invitations to upcoming events, and potential projects or job openings with LawAI.

Eligibility

Most successful applicants will have a strong legal background. However, we are open to exceptional candidates from related fields such as computer science, public policy, economics, history, philosophy, or psychology. Candidates from non-legal fields should be able to clearly articulate how their research can positively shape the development of law and public policy for advanced AI. Candidates who wish to perform technical research during the fellowship are responsible for finding their own qualified technical supervisor.
Most successful applicants will have a deep demonstrated understanding of the law and public policy of at least one of the jurisdictions most relevant to LawAI: the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom. We will consider applicants without expertise in one of these jurisdictions only in exceptional cases.
While candidates should have an interest in AI law and policy and be prepared to apply their research abilities and legal knowledge to questions in our field, prior experience or expertise in AI-specific research is not required.
Past Summer Research Fellows have included:
- Graduate law students (e.g., LLM or JD), PhD candidates, and postdoctoral researchers
- Undergraduate law students in their final year of studies (e.g., LLB, First State Examination, and similar degrees)
- Professionals at various career stages looking to transition into AI-focused roles in research, academia, government, or industry
- Legal academics, including law professors
Ability to commit to full-time participation from June 14 to August 20. In exceptional circumstances, we may consider adjustments to the fellowship start or end dates; however, our strong preference is for full participation, and requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Ability to attend the Convening Week in Washington, DC, from June 21–25, with eligible travel expenses covered, including flights, accommodation, and meals.
If you receive an offer, we will make every reasonable effort to support visa sponsorship. However, our ability to do so depends on the candidate and their location, and the relevant authorities ultimately determine eligibility. Participation is contingent on having valid visa or immigration permissions for the location in which you will be based.

Application process

Step 1: Submit your application form by 11:59 pm ET on January 29, 2027 (the application should take approximately 20 minutes to complete). We will not be able to assess late applications.

Step 2: Asynchronous exploratory interview (~20 minutes)

This interview aims to help us gain a deeper understanding of your perspective on AI development and its implications for society, law, and policy.

Step 3: Research interview (30–45 minutes)

You will speak with a member of our research staff to discuss your research interests, goals, and fit for our program. You’ll also have an opportunity to ask us questions.

Step 4: Decision

We aim to provide all applicants with a final decision by the end of March. If you need a decision by a particular date, please note this on your application form.

This position is eligible for LawAI’s Seasonal Fellowship referral program. The referral program offers $1,000 to eligible individuals who refer a candidate who is ultimately hired for one of our open positions. Full terms can be found here.

Diversity and equal opportunity: We strive to accept applicants with many experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds who share our mission. We are committed to creating an environment where all employees have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their race, religion, disability, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation.

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, or if you have any questions about the application process, please contact programs@law-ai.org.