Author – Ritesh Ranjan: The Singapore AI Safety Fellowship 2026 is an exciting opportunity for emerging researchers who want to contribute to one of the most important global conversations of our time: how to make advanced artificial intelligence systems safer, more reliable and more beneficial for humanity.
As AI systems become more powerful and widely used, the need for strong technical safety research and thoughtful governance has become urgent. The Singapore AI Safety Fellowship is designed to support researchers who want to work seriously on these challenges while being part of an international research community in Singapore.
The fellowship will run for three months, from 21 September to 4 December 2026, and will be fully residential. Fellows will live and work in Singapore during the program, receiving financial support, mentorship, research resources and access to a strong professional network.
About the Singapore AI Safety Fellowship 2026
The Singapore AI Safety Fellowship is a research-focused program for talented individuals interested in technical AI safety and AI governance. It offers fellows the chance to work on meaningful research projects, collaborate with experienced mentors and engage with a community of people working on the future of artificial intelligence.
The program is especially suitable for emerging researchers who already have a strong technical background and want to deepen their expertise in AI safety. It is also valuable for those who want their research to influence real-world policy and governance decisions.
Unlike many short-term programs, this fellowship provides a complete research environment. Fellows receive financial support, housing assistance, travel support and access to compute resources. This allows participants to focus fully on their research without worrying about major logistical or financial barriers.
What the Fellowship Offers
One of the strongest features of the Singapore AI Safety Fellowship 2026 is the level of support provided to selected fellows. The program is designed to help researchers work deeply and productively on their projects.
Selected fellows will receive:
- SGD 5,000 per month stipend
- Housing support throughout the fellowship
- Travel support
- Up to USD 30,000 in compute per project
- Access to a central office space in Chinatown, Singapore
- Regular talks, workshops and community events
This makes the fellowship highly attractive for serious applicants. The monthly stipend and housing support make it easier for fellows to relocate to Singapore, while the compute funding is especially valuable for researchers working on technical AI safety projects that require significant computational resources.
The office space in Chinatown also gives fellows a central and collaborative environment where they can work, discuss ideas and connect with peers.
Why Singapore Is an Important Location for AI Safety
Singapore is a highly connected international hub with strong links across Asia, Europe and the rest of the world. This makes it an ideal location for a fellowship focused on AI safety and governance.
AI is a global technology. Its risks, benefits and governance challenges do not belong to one country or one region. Research in AI safety must therefore include international perspectives and cross-border collaboration.
Singapore’s position as a bridge between different regions gives fellows the chance to work in an environment that encourages global thinking. The fellowship supports collaboration between researchers from different backgrounds, helping build trusted relationships and shared understanding across borders.
For those interested in both technical research and policy impact, Singapore offers a valuable setting. It allows fellows to explore how research findings can inform practical governance, regulation and decision-making.
Main Goals of the Fellowship
The Singapore AI Safety Fellowship 2026 is built around three major goals.
The first goal is cross-regional collaboration. The program brings together researchers from different parts of the world to improve cooperation on AI safety. This is important because AI development is global, and safety solutions must also be globally informed.
The second goal is technical depth and research excellence. Fellows are expected to work on serious AI safety problems and produce rigorous research. The fellowship supports this through mentorship, compute resources and a focused residential environment.
The third goal is applying research to policy. The program helps fellows think about how their research can be used in governance and decision-making. This is especially important for researchers who want their work to have practical impact beyond academic publication.
Together, these goals make the fellowship valuable for people who want to combine strong technical work with real-world relevance.
Who Should Apply?
The fellowship is best suited for emerging researchers who are ready to commit to full-time research in a residential setting. Applicants should have a strong technical research background and a genuine interest in AI safety.
Ideal applicants may come from fields such as computer science, machine learning, mathematics, engineering, data science, public policy or related areas. However, the most important qualities are research ability, motivation and a clear interest in making advanced AI systems safer and more trustworthy.
Applicants should be comfortable working across cultures and disciplines. Since the fellowship brings together people from different regions and backgrounds, collaboration skills will be important.
Because the program is fully residential, selected fellows must be willing to relocate to Singapore for the full duration of the fellowship.
Mentorship and Research Support
Mentorship is one of the most valuable parts of the Singapore AI Safety Fellowship. Fellows will receive guidance from experienced AI safety researchers connected to leading universities, research institutes and AI organizations.
The program includes weekly meetings with established mentors. These meetings can help fellows refine their research questions, improve their methods and stay focused on producing meaningful work.
In addition to academic mentorship, fellows will also receive support from dedicated research managers. These managers help participants stay on track, manage project timelines and think about future career steps.
This combination of technical mentorship and professional support makes the fellowship especially useful for early-career researchers who want to build a long-term path in AI safety.
Community and Networking Opportunities
The fellowship is not only about individual research. It also includes lectures, workshops, community events and social activities. These events help fellows learn from experts, exchange ideas with peers and build long-term professional relationships.
For researchers entering the AI safety field, networks can be extremely valuable. A strong community can lead to future collaborations, research opportunities, policy discussions and career growth.
The residential nature of the fellowship also helps build stronger connections. Fellows will be working in the same city, attending events together and sharing ideas regularly. This creates an environment where collaboration can happen naturally.
Application Process
The application deadline for the Singapore AI Safety Fellowship 2026 is 10 July 2026.
The process begins with a written application, which is expected to take about one hour. This makes the first step manageable for applicants. Shortlisted candidates will then complete standardized assessments, followed by a mentor-specific task and/or interview.
Since the fellowship is highly selective, applicants should prepare their applications carefully. They should clearly explain their research background, technical skills, motivation for AI safety and interest in the fellowship.
Applicants should also describe how their work could contribute to safer AI systems, better governance or stronger international collaboration.
Why This Fellowship Matters
The Singapore AI Safety Fellowship 2026 stands out because it combines funding, mentorship, technical resources and global collaboration. It is not just a scholarship or short training program. It is a serious research opportunity for people who want to make a real contribution to the future of AI.
For emerging researchers, the fellowship can be a major step forward. It offers time, resources and guidance to develop strong research while connecting with a global AI safety community.
As advanced AI continues to shape societies, economies and governments, programs like this will become increasingly important. Researchers who understand both technical systems and policy challenges will play a key role in shaping safer and more responsible AI development.
For anyone interested in technical AI safety, AI governance and international collaboration, the Singapore AI Safety Fellowship 2026 is a standout opportunity worth applying for.
FAQs
1. What is the Singapore AI Safety Fellowship 2026?
The Singapore AI Safety Fellowship 2026 is a three-month residential research program in Singapore for emerging researchers interested in technical AI safety and AI governance.
2. What are the fellowship dates?
The fellowship will run from 21 September to 4 December 2026.
3. What financial support is provided?
Fellows receive SGD 5,000 per month, housing support, travel support and up to USD 30,000 in compute per project.
4. Who can apply for the fellowship?
Emerging researchers with a strong technical background, interest in AI safety and willingness to relocate to Singapore for the full program can apply.
5. What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is 10 July 2026.