Author – Ritesh Ranjan: Artificial intelligence is changing the world at extraordinary speed. From education and healthcare to finance, defence, governance and daily digital tools, AI systems are becoming more powerful and more widely used. As this growth continues, one question is becoming increasingly important: how can AI be developed and deployed safely, responsibly and in ways that benefit society?
The Singapore AI Safety Fellowship 2026 is designed to support researchers who want to work on this crucial question. It is a fully funded, three-month residential research fellowship hosted in Singapore by SASH. The program offers emerging AI researchers the chance to work on technical and governance challenges related to safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence.
The fellowship will take place from 21 September to 4 December 2026 in Chinatown, Singapore. During this period, selected fellows will receive mentorship, funding, housing, travel support and compute resources to help them carry out meaningful research in AI safety.
For students, early-career researchers and technical professionals interested in contributing to the future of responsible AI, this fellowship is a valuable international opportunity.
About the Singapore AI Safety Fellowship 2026
The Singapore AI Safety Fellowship 2026 is a research-focused program for talented individuals who want to explore key questions in AI safety. These questions may include topics such as AI alignment, reliability, robustness, interpretability, governance, risk management and the development of trustworthy AI systems.
The program is residential, which means selected fellows are expected to relocate to Singapore and work full-time from the fellowship hub for the full three-month period. This structure allows fellows to collaborate closely with mentors, peers and the wider AI safety community.
The fellowship is especially useful for researchers who want to move beyond theoretical interest and actively contribute to projects that may influence the future direction of AI development. Fellows will have the opportunity to receive academic guidance, participate in workshops and engage with real-world AI safety problems.
Why AI Safety Matters
AI safety has become one of the most important research areas in modern technology. As AI systems become more advanced, they are expected to make decisions, generate content, support human work and influence institutions at a growing scale. While this creates many benefits, it also introduces serious risks.
AI systems may behave unpredictably, produce harmful outputs, reinforce biases or be used in unsafe ways. In high-stakes areas, even small failures can have major consequences. This is why researchers, policymakers and technologists are increasingly focused on ensuring that AI systems are reliable, transparent, aligned with human values and governed responsibly.
The Singapore AI Safety Fellowship 2026 directly responds to this need. By supporting emerging researchers, the program aims to strengthen the global community working on safe and beneficial AI.
Why Singapore Is an Ideal Location
Singapore is a strong location for an AI safety fellowship because it is a globally connected hub for technology, research and international collaboration. The country has built a reputation for innovation, policy excellence and cross-border cooperation.
For researchers, Singapore offers exposure to a diverse and international environment. The fellowship is also designed to encourage collaboration between researchers from different regions, particularly across the East and the West. This makes it valuable not only for technical research but also for building long-term international networks.
Being based in Chinatown, Singapore, fellows will work in a lively and well-connected area while participating in a structured research community.
Fellowship Benefits
One of the biggest strengths of the Singapore AI Safety Fellowship 2026 is its fully funded support package. Selected fellows will receive financial, professional and logistical support throughout the program.
The benefits include:
- SGD 5,000 per month stipend
- Housing coverage during the fellowship
- Travel expenses to and from Singapore
- Mentorship from experienced researchers
- Up to USD 30,000 in compute support for research projects
- Access to talks, workshops, seminars and community events
- Collaborative work environment at SASH’s Chinatown hub
This package allows fellows to focus fully on their research without worrying about major living, travel or infrastructure costs.
The compute support is especially important for AI researchers, as many projects require significant computational resources. With up to USD 30,000 available for compute, fellows can pursue technically ambitious research ideas that may otherwise be difficult to execute.
Who Can Apply?
The Singapore AI Safety Fellowship 2026 is intended for emerging researchers with the ability and motivation to contribute seriously to AI safety research.
Applicants should have a strong technical research background and a clear interest in ensuring that AI development leads to positive outcomes. The fellowship is suitable for individuals who are comfortable working in an international, interdisciplinary and collaborative environment.
Applicants should ideally have:
- A strong technical research track record
- Interest in AI safety, AI governance or trustworthy AI
- Ability to work across cultures and disciplines
- Readiness to work full-time in Singapore
- Availability from 21 September to 4 December 2026
- A technical project, paper or work sample related to AI safety
Since the fellowship is residential, applicants must be willing to relocate to Singapore for the full duration of the program.
Application Requirements
The application process is selective and requires candidates to submit detailed information. Applicants need to complete an online application form and provide the required details and documents.
The application form generally asks for:
- Personal information
- Logistics details
- Answers to fellowship assessment questions
- Required documents
- Preferred mentor
- Details of two references
- Agreement to the fellowship terms and conditions
Applicants must also submit one technical project, technical paper or technical work sample that demonstrates their contribution or potential contribution to AI safety research. Additional supporting documents may also be included.
Since the fellowship is competitive, applicants should take time to prepare a strong application. A clear research direction, strong technical sample and thoughtful assessment answers can make the application more effective.
Important Dates
The Singapore AI Safety Fellowship 2026 will run from 21 September to 4 December 2026.
The last date to apply is 10 July 2026. Interested candidates should complete their application before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues.
A virtual information session was scheduled for 1 July 2026, giving applicants a chance to learn more about the fellowship, mentors and program structure.
Why You Should Apply
The Singapore AI Safety Fellowship 2026 offers a rare combination of funding, mentorship, international exposure and research infrastructure. For emerging researchers, this can be an important step toward building a serious career in AI safety.
Unlike many short-term academic programs, this fellowship provides strong practical support. Fellows receive a monthly stipend, housing, travel assistance and compute funding. They also get access to mentors and a collaborative research community, which can help them refine their ideas and produce stronger research outcomes.
The program is particularly valuable for those who want to work at the intersection of technical research and policy-relevant AI challenges. As governments, companies and research institutions continue to focus on AI governance and safety, experience in this field is likely to become increasingly important.
Final Thoughts
The Singapore AI Safety Fellowship 2026 is a standout opportunity for emerging AI researchers who want to contribute to one of the most urgent questions in technology: how to make AI systems safe, reliable and beneficial.
With full funding, mentorship, housing, travel support and compute resources, the fellowship gives selected candidates the environment they need to focus deeply on research. Its Singapore location also makes it a strong platform for international collaboration and cross-regional networking.
Researchers interested in AI safety, AI governance, alignment, reliability or trustworthy AI should consider applying before the 10 July 2026 deadline.
FAQs
1. What is the Singapore AI Safety Fellowship 2026?
The Singapore AI Safety Fellowship 2026 is a fully funded three-month residential research program in Singapore for emerging researchers working on AI safety, governance and trustworthy AI systems.
2. When will the fellowship take place?
The fellowship will run from 21 September to 4 December 2026 in Chinatown, Singapore.
3. What benefits are offered to selected fellows?
Selected fellows will receive a SGD 5,000 monthly stipend, housing coverage, travel expenses, mentorship and up to USD 30,000 in compute support for research projects.
4. Who is eligible to apply?
Emerging researchers with a strong technical research background, interest in AI safety and availability to work full-time in Singapore for three months are encouraged to apply.
5. What is the application deadline?
The last date to apply for the Singapore AI Safety Fellowship 2026 is 10 July 2026.