Conservative AI Policy Fellowship

An eight-week fellowship for policy professionals shaping the future of AI policy in Washington, DC.

Applications for the Winter 2027 cohort are open

Join conservative policy professionals in Washington, DC for an eight-week deep dive into AI policy. No technical background required. Applications close October 30, 2026.

Apply Now

The Foundation for American Innovation’s Conservative AI Policy Fellowship (CAPF) is an eight-week, part-time fellowship for conservative policy professionals in Washington, DC, seeking to understand artificial intelligence (AI) and the debates around emerging technology.

Fellows meet weekly alongside leading technologists and policy experts to discuss key issues around AI and American prosperity. Through these sessions and a weekend retreat, fellows build a practical understanding of AI’s trajectory and the policy choices that will shape American leadership.

At a Glance

  • Weekly Sessions: Mix of weekday lunch and dinner sessions with discussions and group activities led by AI experts: 12:00–1:30 p.m., 6:30–8:00 p.m.
  • Weekend Retreat: A weekend retreat in February with intensive workshops, collaborative projects, and networking.
  • Location: All weekday sessions are held at the FAI office on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
  • Cost: Fully funded; all meals and retreat expenses are covered in line with government ethics rules. Fellows are eligible to receive a $1,500 stipend.
  • Overview of AI: The basics of AI from a policy perspective.
  • National Security & Defense: AI’s implications for U.S. national security.
  • Powering American AI: Strategies for energy dominance and reindustrialization.
  • AI Competition: Chips, export controls, and technological competition with China.
  • Labor & Market Policy: Economic forecasts and labor-market effects of AI.
  • Safety & Family: AI’s impact on children and the family.
  • Sam Hammond: Director of Artificial Intelligence and Chief Economist at FAI
  • Shyam Sankar: CTO of Palantir Technologies
  • Alexei Bulazel: Special Assistant to the President and National Security Council Senior Director for Cyber
  • Tim Fist: Director of Emerging Technology Policy at Institute for Progress

Who Should Apply

We welcome applicants across the conservative policy landscape who are interested in shaping major decisions about artificial intelligence and emerging technology.

The fellowship is particularly well suited for:

  • Congressional staff and executive branch officials whose work intersects with technology, national security, economic policy, energy, or related issues;
  • Policy researchers, think tank staff, and other practitioners working on consequential questions involving AI and emerging technology;
  • Professionals in the technology sector who are interested in transitioning into an AI policy career; and
  • Exceptional early-career applicants who demonstrate strong judgment, intellectual curiosity, and a serious interest in pursuing work in AI policy.

Applicants do not need prior technical expertise in AI. We are particularly interested in people who bring strong policy judgment, an ability to engage seriously with competing perspectives, and an interest in the broader economic, national-security, and societal implications of advanced AI.

FAI’s CAPF program stands out in D.C.–few fellowships combine the technical depth, intellectual breadth, and topical relevance that FAI has managed to assemble. What most impressed me was the caliber of my cohort: everyone held strong convictions and a clear desire to shape our country for the better as we grapple with the implications of unprecedented technological change. CAPF provided unparalleled access to the researchers, practitioners, and policymakers who influence AI policy in Washington. Ultimately, this program equipped me with the vocabulary and fundamentals necessary to confidently engage in one of the most important debates of our time.

Spencer SilbeyU.S. House of Representatives, Office of Congressman Riley Moore

In most fellowships, the education and lectures are the excuse to network. CAPF is one of the incredibly rare fellowships where the education itself was extremely valuable. I learned so much about the most important technology of our time, from some of the most important leaders of our time, all of whom made themselves open for further conversation and mentorship. I could not be more happy to have been a fellow, and am incredibly thankful to have met such wonderful intelligent people.

Liam MurphyPolitical Appointee

The fellowship helped me fill in many gaps in my knowledge, especially outside my expertise. I feel more confident in my ability to contribute effectively within AI policy now and find it even more interesting.

William SirotkinAI Policy Fellow, Senator Jim Banks

The fellowship made me much more interested in promoting American leadership in AI. I came to see that many of AI’s long-term benefits, particularly its potential to drive broad-based prosperity, may depend on the United States maintaining a leading role in its development and governance.

Kart KandulaDoctoral Candidate, Computer Science, Princeton University

The fellowship exposed me to a range of conservative perspectives on AI policy, and informed my thinking about how decisionmakers change their minds on questions about AI. I learned a lot from the other members of my cohort, who brought deep policy expertise from a range of backgrounds, and our exchanges both inside and outside sessions were always stimulating and productive.

Conor McGlynnDoctoral Candidate, Public Policy, Harvard University

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time should I expect to commit each week?

Fellows should plan for approximately 2–3 hours during a typical week. This generally includes one 90-minute lunchtime or evening session; approximately 30–60 minutes of reading or preparation; and periodic work on a short policy memo or project. Fellows are also required to attend the full weekend retreat, from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. Because discussion and cohort participation are central to the program, attendance at the regular sessions is required.

Where will the sessions be held?

All sessions will take place at the FAI office on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, within walking distance of the Senate office buildings, the U.S. Capitol, and Union Station. Specific locations will be provided to accepted fellows.

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

The attendance policy is strictly enforced. We recommend checking your calendar carefully before accepting an offer and securing any needed permissions from your employer. If you are already aware of a conflict, please indicate this in your application and we will do our best to accommodate.

Can government employees participate in the fellowship?

Yes. Government employees have participated in previous cohorts. Depending on your employer and position, participation in the fellowship, acceptance of the stipend, or other program benefits may be subject to applicable ethics rules. Fellows are responsible for obtaining any necessary approval from their agency or organization prior to accepting their offer. FAI is happy to provide additional information about the program, stipend, meals, retreat expenses, and other benefits directly to applicants or their ethics office upon request. Note: it is the responsibility of each fellow to verify with their organization’s ethics office whether accepting a stipend is permitted.

What makes for a strong application?

Strong applicants will give us a clear sense of why AI policy matters to their work and where they hope to have an impact. We are particularly interested in applicants who can demonstrate: a serious interest in consequential questions surrounding AI; strong professional or academic performance and evidence of initiative, ambition, or leadership; thoughtful judgment about AI policy, including an ability to recognize tradeoffs and engage seriously with competing perspectives; a clear connection between the fellowship and their current work or longer-term professional goals; and curiosity about questions beyond their existing area of expertise. Prior AI experience can strengthen an application, but it is not required. We welcome applicants who are relatively new to AI policy if they can demonstrate strong policy aptitude and a compelling reason to engage with the field.

Do I need technical expertise in artificial intelligence?

No technical background is required. The program is designed for policy professionals who want to develop or deepen their AI literacy.

What is expected for the policy memo or project?

Fellows will receive guidance from their assigned mentor throughout the drafting process, and present an overview of their project during the second half of the fellowship.

Ready to Apply?

Applications for the winter 2027 cohort are now open. Applications close October 30, 2026.

Apply Now

Still have questions? Email us at fellowships@fai.org.