Open Source UK AI Fellowship – 2026

Posted by: Smart || Categories: Scholarship

The Alan Turing Institute, in partnership with the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and Meta, invites expressions of interest for the Open Source UK AI Fellowship 2026. This prestigious, fully funded 12-month fellowship offers a unique opportunity for UK-based researchers, engineers, and technologists to develop open-source AI solutions that address national public sector challenges.

Fellows will work within DSIT’s Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (i.AI) to develop practical AI applications that support areas such as national security, healthcare, digital governance, and public service delivery.

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🔍 Fellowship Overview

• Host Country: United Kingdom

• Programme Duration: 12 months

• Start Date: January 2026

• Application Deadline: August 18, 2025

• Funding Type: Fully Funded

• Status: Open for Applications

• Level: Mid-career / Research Fellowship

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🧠 Fellowship Focus Areas

Fellows will lead or contribute to open-source projects aligned with government priorities, including:

• Secure AI Assistants: Document processing tools for national security contexts

• LegalTech AI: AI systems trained on UK legal and regulatory data

• Offline & Resilient AI Tools: AI solutions for emergency response and NHS use during outages

• Governance & Policy AI: Decision-support tools to inform data-driven public policy

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🎓 Who Should Apply?

We welcome applicants with a strong technical background in areas such as:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Data Science & Machine Learning

• Secure & Distributed Systems

• Open Source Software Development

• Computer Science & Engineering

• Related technical disciplines

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💼 Fellowship Benefits

• Duration: 12 months (starting January 2026)

• Salary Reimbursement: Up to £85,000 per annum (paid to the fellow’s home institution)

• Work Arrangement: Hybrid model (remote and on-site at DSIT)

• Host Organisations: The Alan Turing Institute, DSIT, and i.AI

• Professional Impact: Work on critical national AI challenges with top-tier collaborators

• Visibility: Engage with senior stakeholders across government, academia, and tech industry

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✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be legally eligible to work in the UK (no visa sponsorship provided)

• Have lived in the UK for at least 5 years (due to required security clearance)

• Be currently employed by a UK-based organization (a 12-month secondment is mandatory)

• Hold a PhD or demonstrate equivalent professional experience in AI or related fields

• Have the support of their employer for the duration of the fellowship

• Demonstrate strong technical and problem-solving skills in AI design, implementation, and deployment

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📅 Application Timeline

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📝 How to Apply

All applications must be submitted via the Alan Turing Institute’s official application portal. Candidates should prepare:

• A current CV

• A tailored cover letter outlining motivation and fit

• Confirmation of employer support for a 12-month secondment

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🌟 Why Apply?

This is a rare, high-impact opportunity to:

• Work on mission-driven AI solutions that serve the UK public

• Gain exposure to real-world policy and operational challenges

• Build your research, technical, and leadership profile

• Contribute to a vibrant open-source AI community

• Join a distinguished network of AI experts, civil servants, and innovators

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who is eligible to apply?
UK-based professionals with relevant AI experience, a PhD or equivalent, and at least five years of UK residency.

2. Are international candidates eligible?
Only those already residing and eligible to work in the UK may apply. No visa sponsorship is available.

3. What is the compensation model?
Up to £85,000 per year is reimbursed to the fellow’s employer based on experience and role.

4. Is remote work permitted?
Yes, the fellowship follows a hybrid format: partly remote, partly on-site at DSIT.

5. What types of projects will fellows undertake?
Projects address urgent needs in law, healthcare, national security, emergency response, and digital governance.

6. Must I be currently employed?
Yes. Fellows must be seconded from a UK-based employer willing to release them for the full duration.

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🔚 Final Thoughts

The Open Source UK AI Fellowship 2026 is more than a research position—it’s a launchpad for technologists passionate about using AI for societal benefit. Backed by the UK government and industry leaders, the programme champions innovation, transparency, and collaboration at the highest levels.

Be part of shaping the future of ethical and open AI.

APPLY HERE

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