Conservative AI Policy Fellowship

FAI is recruiting for the winter 2026 cohort of the Conservative AI Policy Fellowship.

Applications are due October 31, 2025.

Program Overview

  • Dates: January 23 to March 30, 2026
  • Designed for Working Professionals:
    • Weekly Friday lunch sessions (12:00–1:30 p.m.)
    • Occasional Tuesday evening sessions (6:30–8:30 p.m.)
    • One weekend retreat (February 20–22, 2026)
  • Location: All weekday sessions will be held in downtown Washington, D.C. The weekend retreat will be held at a location in the DMV area.
  • Cost: Fully funded. All meals and retreat expenses are covered in line with government ethics rules. Fellows will also receive a $1,500 stipend.
  • Application Deadline: October 31, 2025

It is the responsibility of each fellow to verify with their organization’s ethics office whether they are permitted to accept a stipend as financial benefit.

Training the Next Generation

The Conservative AI Policy Fellowship (CAPF) is an eight-week, part-time (work-compatible) fellowship for conservative policy professionals in Washington D.C. seeking to understand artificial intelligence (AI) and the policy debates surrounding emerging technology.

CAPF is a biannual program, with summer and winter fellowship cohorts.

Structured for early- to mid-career professionals, the fellowship provides a manageable yet immersive dive into AI policy. The program's centerpiece is an intensive weekend retreat designed for deeper engagement and network-building, supplemented by practical exercises and policy simulations. Fellows will gain the tools and insights necessary to develop thoughtful and effective AI policies rooted in conservative principles.

Join the Foundation for American Innovation’s network of policy scholars and technologists to explore questions such as:

  • What does a conservative vision for AI policy look like?
  • How can policymakers foster innovation while mitigating AI’s risks to national security?
  • What frameworks are needed to ensure that the US maintains leadership in AI amid intensifying competition with China?
  • How should policymakers address concerns around privacy, copyright, and potential disruptions to the workforce?

Fellows will engage directly with these and related questions through interactive workshops, expert-led seminars, and exclusive networking events.

Featured Topics

  • The basics of AI from a policy perspective
  • AI’s implications for U.S. national security
  • Strategies for energy dominance and reindustrialization
  • Chips, export controls, and technological competition with China
  • Economic forecasts and labor-market effects of AI
  • AI's impact on children and the family

Who Should Apply

We welcome applications from anyone from the broader policy community with an interest in learning more about AI. Applicants often are (but not limited to) early- to mid-career professionals from one of the following areas:

  • Policy analysts at think tanks
  • Staff at advocacy organizations
  • Legal professionals
  • Employees of the US government
  • Private-sector tech professionals
  • Exceptional interns or recent graduates

All fellows receive the same consideration regardless of employer. Fellows must be US citizens. No previous experience with AI policy is required.

Application Process

Deadline: October 31, 2025

  • Submit your application through this form
  • Selected candidates will be invited for interviews
  • Final cohort announced by mid-December 2025

For questions, contact: fellowships@thefai.org

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much time should I expect to commit each week?

A: The program requires approximately 5 hours per week, including lunchtime and/or evening sessions, preparation time, and completion of the project.

Q: Where will the sessions be held?

A: All sessions will take place in downtown Washington, D.C., within walking distance of major Metro stations. Specific locations will be provided to fellows.

Q: What should I expect from the weekend retreat?

A: The weekend retreat includes intensive workshops, networking opportunities, and collaborative activities. All meals and accommodation are provided. Retreat attendance is mandatory for all fellows.

Q: What happens if I have a work conflict with one of the sessions?

A: The attendance policy is strictly enforced. We recommend checking your calendar carefully before applying and securing any needed permissions from your employer.

Q: What makes for a strong application?

A: Strong applications demonstrate: 1) a clear articulation of how AI policy connects to your professional goals; 2) evidence of intellectual curiosity and ability to engage with complex policy challenges; 3) relevant academic or professional experience in policy, government, or think tanks.

Q: Do I need technical expertise in artificial intelligence?

A: No technical background is required. The program is specifically designed for policy professional who want to develop AI literacy, not for technical specialists. You will learn enough technical fundamentals to engage confidently in policy discussions without needing to understand AI at an engineering level.

Q: What is expected for the policy memo project?

A: Fellows will produce a two-page policy memo (or equivalent project) on an AI-related topic of their choosing. You will receive guidance from your assigned mentor throughout the drafting process.

We look forward to receiving your application! Please don't hesitate to reach us at fellowships@thefai.org with any questions.

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