AIxBio Research Fellowship 2027 in Cambridge (Fully Funded)
The AIxBio Research Fellowship 2027 is a fully funded, 10-week programme in Cambridge, United Kingdom, for researchers and entrepreneurs working at the intersection of advanced artificial intelligence and biosecurity. Organised by ERA in partnership with the Cambridge Biosecurity Hub, the fellowship offers a £10,000 stipend, covered travel and visa costs, expert mentorship, and dedicated research support. The programme runs from 18 January to 26 March 2027, with applications closing on 19 October 2026.
Quick Overview
Programme: AIxBio Research Fellowship 2027
Opportunity Type: Research Fellowship
Organiser: ERA, in partnership with Cambridge Biosecurity Hub
Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom
Programme Format: Full-time, in person
Duration: 10 weeks
Programme Dates: 18 January – 26 March 2027
Funding: Fully Funded (£10,000 stipend, travel and visa costs covered)
Application Deadline: 19 October 2026
About the AIxBio Research Fellowship 2027
The AIxBio Research Fellowship supports individuals working to reduce global catastrophic biological risks, particularly engineered pandemics and biological threats amplified by increasingly capable AI systems.
The programme brings together researchers, engineers, policy specialists, and entrepreneurs interested in developing practical approaches to biosecurity challenges.
The Winter 2027 cohort is expected to include approximately 15 fellows working across three fellowship tracks.
Participants work in person at ERA’s Cambridge office, with access to dedicated research support, expert mentorship, workshops, and a community focused on AI safety and biosecurity.
AIxBio Research Fellowship Tracks
The fellowship offers three tracks designed for different approaches to addressing biosecurity problems.
1. Research Track
The Research Track supports fellows who want to investigate an important biosecurity question and develop evidence, methods, or tools that could inform research or policy decisions.
Potential outputs include:
• Evaluation methods
• Safeguard studies
• Policy analyses
Fellows work with expert mentors to develop and advance their research projects.
2. Placement Track
The Placement Track allows fellows to work with a biosecurity team on a practical workstream.
Possible areas include:
• Research
• Engineering
• Policy
• Implementation
Projects may involve developing screening tools, evaluation workflows, or analyses that support organisational decisions.
3. Founding Track
The Founding Track supports individuals exploring whether an important biosecurity problem requires a dedicated organisation.
Fellows can test potential solutions, engage with prospective users, and assess whether a new initiative is worth pursuing.
Possible outputs include an initial tool or pilot project.
All three tracks include expert mentorship and dedicated research management.
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Benefits and Financial Coverage
The AIxBio Research Fellowship is a fully funded programme designed to help participants focus on their work during the 10-week period.
Confirmed financial and operational benefits include:
✓ £10,000 total stipend for the fellowship
✓ Travel costs covered
✓ Visa costs covered
✓ Full visa sponsorship for international participants from most countries
✓ Meals during working hours
✓ Dedicated workspace at ERA’s Cambridge office
✓ Access to a project funding pot
✓ Computing resources where useful for the project
✓ Practical assistance with relocation and living arrangements in Cambridge
The programme also provides community and wellbeing support throughout the fellowship.
Research and Professional Development Support
AIxBio fellows receive personalised guidance to develop their projects and make progress on important biosecurity questions.
The programme offers:
✓ A dedicated ERA Research Manager
✓ An expert mentor matched to the fellow’s project
✓ Research workshops and practical training
✓ Guidance on project scope, milestones, research strategy, and execution
✓ Opportunities to receive project feedback
✓ Access to researchers working across biosecurity, AI safety, and policy
✓ Talks, workshops, and networking activities
Fellows can also connect with researchers from academia, government, and industry.
For particularly promising fellows and projects, ERA may provide opportunities to continue through its longer-term in-house Research Scholar positions.
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Eligibility Criteria
The AIxBio Research Fellowship welcomes applicants from different backgrounds and career stages.
The official eligibility conditions include:
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
• Applications are welcomed globally.
• Prior formal research experience is not required.
• Applicants may come from a wide range of professional and academic backgrounds.
The programme welcomes graduate students, early-career researchers, experienced researchers, engineers, and founders.
Relevant Academic and Professional Backgrounds
The fellowship identifies several areas of interest.
AI, Machine Learning, and Software
Candidates working on AI systems, biological foundation models, evaluations, safeguards, sequence screening, or scientific software may be relevant to the programme.
Virology, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics
Applicants with backgrounds in microbiology, virology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and biophysics can contribute biological expertise to research and evaluation.
Policy, Governance, and Security
The programme welcomes individuals working on biological security policies, AI governance, security standards, and practical safeguards.
Relevant candidates may include policy researchers, lawyers, security professionals, and technically minded generalists.
Entrepreneurship and Founding
Aspiring founders and existing teams interested in developing companies or nonprofit organisations addressing biosecurity challenges may also apply.
These backgrounds are illustrative rather than exhaustive. The Foundation welcomes applicants whose expertise could help reduce catastrophic biological risks.
Fellowship Location and Working Format
The AIxBio Research Fellowship takes place in Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Participants work full-time and in person for 10 weeks.
Fellows share a dedicated working environment at ERA’s Cambridge office alongside others addressing AI safety and biosecurity problems.
The programme also organises workshops, talks, dinners, and social activities to support collaboration and professional connections.
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Application and Selection Process
Candidates can apply through the official AIxBio Research Fellowship application form.
The selection process includes the following stages.
1. Written Application
The first stage is a short written application.
Candidates are asked about:
• Their background
• Problems they are interested in addressing
• Their reasoning about questions at the intersection of AI and biosecurity
The programme places greater emphasis on the quality of applicants’ reasoning than on polished application writing.
2. Interview
Shortlisted candidates are invited to an interview with the ERA team.
The interview explores candidates’ research interests, their approach to difficult problems, and how the fellowship could support their work.
3. Work Tests
Some mentors and placement organisations may request short work tests before selecting candidates.
Applicants may complete between zero and three work tests, depending on their fellowship track.
Important Dates
Application Deadline: 19 October 2026
Fellowship Start Date: 18 January 2027
Fellowship End Date: 26 March 2027
Programme Duration: 10 weeks
Application Deadline
Applications for the AIxBio Research Fellowship Winter 2027 must be submitted by:
19 October 2026
The programme provides an official application form for candidates interested in participating in the Winter 2027 cohort.
Official Link
Submit your application through the official application link below.
