Summer Research Fellowship (EU) 2025

The Institute for Law & AI (LawAI) is an independent think tank that researches and advises on the legal challenges posed by artificial intelligence. We believe that sound legal analysis will promote security, welfare, and the rule of law. We conduct research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, law, and policy and advise governments, international organizations, public institutions, and private actors. You can review LawAI’s recent publications on our website and learn more about our focus areas in this overview of our Workstreams and Research Directions.

About the Summer Research Fellowship (EU)

As a Summer Research Fellow, you will work with your mentor to develop a research plan tailored to your experience, skills, and interests. Some Fellows may focus on a more extended, singular project, such as drafting a policy report or authoring a law review article, while others might contribute to a range of initiatives, such as conducting legal research that supports various research and advisory projects led by LawAI staff. Fellows may also have opportunities to help advise policymakers, government, and private sector organizations.

As a general matter, Fellows will have considerable discretion over the form of outputs they pursue (e.g., choosing between publishing a law review article vs a policy brief). Topic selection will be determined in conjunction with your mentor. Projects should generally align with LawAI’s mission to ensure that major advances in AI are beneficial and safe for the public. It may also help to review LawAI’s current Workstreams and Research Directions.

We welcome suggestions for other topics that have a clear connection to our research priorities.

We are specifically looking for several fellows to focus on EU AI law and the EU AI Act. Ideally, these fellows will have studied EU law.

The fellowship is remote-first and lasts 8-12 weeks with one fully-funded in-person week, which will most likely occur in August in Brussels, Belgium, or Cambridge, UK.

We offer two EU cohort start dates:

• EU Cohort 1: June 23, 2025; flexible end dates August 15 – September 12
• EU Cohort 2: August 4, 2025; flexible end dates September 26 – October 25
• In-person week in Brussels, Belgium, or Cambridge, UK, tentatively scheduled for August 25-29, 2025, with eligible travel expenses covered, including flights, accommodations, and meals

Fellows are expected to commit to at least 8 weeks of full-time work, participate in regular team meetings, give occasional presentations on their research, and provide feedback on other research work within their cohort and the broader LawAI team. 

We are happy to accommodate academic commitments and job interviews during the fellowship period. Please let us know if you have specific questions during the application process.

Benefits

• A stipend of €12,000 
• An in-person week in Brussels or Cambridge, with eligible travel expenses covered, including flights, accommodation, and meals
• Close mentorship from our research staff and affiliates
• Q&A sessions with leading experts in the field
• EU AI law and policy networking opportunities & career planning resources
• Opportunities to explore future collaborations, such as follow-on funding through grants, invitations to upcoming events, and potential project or job openings with LawAI

Eligibility

• Applicants ideally studied or worked in EU law; beyond this minimal requirement, we welcome applicants from all countries and with various skill sets, experience levels, and degrees of knowledge in AI, law, and policy to apply, including those who have studied in non-EU countries and who do not qualify to practice law in the EU.
• While candidates should be prepared to apply their research abilities and legal knowledge to questions in our field, prior experience or expertise in AI-specific research is not required.
• Past fellows have included:
  • Graduate law students (e.g., LLM, MA, or JD), PhD candidates, and postdoctoral researchers
  • Undergraduate law students in their final year of studies (e.g., BA., LLB, First State Examination, and similar degrees)
  • Professionals transitioning into research at various career stages
  • Legal academics

If you’re not sure about applying because you don’t know if you’re qualified or the right fit, we encourage you to apply anyway — we often find that some of the most promising candidates underrate their fit for programs like this.

• Ability to commit to full-time, remote-based work for at least 8 weeks, beginning on either of the above-stated start dates. Note: We will also consider exceptional candidates who can only join part-time but for an extended period. Students whose classes resume during the fellowship may complete it part-time during the semester. We ask that applicants communicate proactively (e.g. in their written application or as soon as feasible) about any scheduling conflicts.
• Ability to attend the in-person week in Brussels or Cambridge, tentatively scheduled for August 25-29, 2025.

Application process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until January 31, 2025, so we encourage you to apply as early as possible. We will not be able to assess late applications.

Step 1: Submit your academic CV and brief application form here by 11:59 pm on January 31, 2025 (~15-minutes)

Step 2: Exploratory interview (~30 minutes)

• This interview will allow us to learn more about your interests, values, and approach to the fellowship.

Step 3: Research interview (40-60 minutes)

• You will speak with a member of our staff to discuss your research interests, goals, and fit for our program. You’ll also have an opportunity to ask us questions.

Step 4: Decision

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. If you need a decision by a particular date, please note this on your application form in Step 1.

Diversity and equal opportunity: We aim to employ people with many experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds who share our mission. We are committed to creating an environment where all employees have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their race, religion, disability, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, or if you have any questions about the application process, please contact hiring@law-ai.org.