BASE Fellowship Fall 2026

Program Structure

The program conducts four specialized research tracks:

• Catastrophic Risk (AI alignment, interpretability, oversight and control, advanced AI risk, systemic risk)

• Biosecurity (Pandemic preparedness, biological risk, dual-use biotechnology, biosecurity policy, catastrophic biological threats)

• AI Governance (Policy and regulation, evaluations, standards, institutional governance, risk analysis)

• Responsible AI (Fairness and bias, transparency and explainability, accountability, societal impacts)

Fellows spend the 10-week program working on a focused research project with guidance from an experienced mentor.

Weeks 1-10: Research & Project Development

• Fellows work on a focused AI safety project with a mentor aligned with one of the program tracks.

• Hands-on mentorship with weekly check-ins, feedback sessions, and structured research support.

  • Required: Weekly meeting with your mentor to discuss project progress totaling at least 1 hour

• Development of a meaningful capstone outcome, such as:

  • A research preprint

  • A technical blog post

  • A fellowship or grant application to further research goals

Minimum Requirements

•  Must be currently enrolled in or have completed a BA/BS degree 

• We prioritize applicants whose lived experiences align with BASE’s mission to empower the global Black diaspora in AI safety

• For technical tracks, strong coding and ML skills are required

• Demonstrate relevant academic or professional experience in public policy, government, compliance, trust and safety

• Commit at least 10-15 hours a week to research and learning, curriculum completion, participate in weekly seminars, and work closely with a mentor who provides guidance, feedback, and professional support

• Must submit a capstone project, such as a research preprint, blog post, or fellowship/grant application

Preferred Qualifications & Fit

• Prior research experience or work in fast-paced collaborative environments

• Intention to continue pursuing work in AI Safety, Security, or Governance after completing the fellowship

• This may include graduate study, research positions, technical roles, policy internships, or continued independent work

• Commitment to BASE's values