Paid AI Law Summer Fellowships 2026 USA: Earn 1500 Dollars a Week to Do Real Policy Research

If you care about how AI gets regulated in the United States and you can think like a lawyer, this is one of those rare fellowships that is both intellectually serious and actually pays well.

The Institute for Law and AI Summer Research Fellowship 2026 (US) offers law students, legal professionals, and academics the chance to spend a summer doing focused, mentored research at the front line of AI law and policy. You will not be fetching coffee or proofreading memos. You will be paid around 1,500 dollars per week, full time, to work on genuine governance questions with people who are shaping how AI is controlled in practice.

On top of the pay, the fellowship includes an in‑person week in Washington DC or Berkeley, California, plus admission to a Summer Institute on Law and AI in DC in mid‑July. Travel, accommodation, and meals for those events are covered. That alone would be worth applying for; combined with the weekly funding and mentorship, this becomes a very competitive, career‑defining opportunity.

Previous fellows have moved into roles at the US Department of Commerce, major AI labs, universities, think tanks, and the Institute for Law and AI itself. In other words, this is not a theoretical “professional development” line on your CV. It is a pipeline into the actual institutions that are wrestling with AI accountability, safety, and regulation.

The deadline is January 30, 2026, 11:59 pm Eastern. If this even remotely sounds like your area, you should be seriously considering an application.

At a Glance

What This AI Law Fellowship Actually Offers

Think of this fellowship as a focused, three‑part package: serious research, serious money, and serious connections.

First, the research. You will be working directly on US law and policy questions around AI. That could mean examining liability frameworks for AI systems, analyzing the implications of US export controls, thinking through how existing civil rights statutes apply to algorithmic decision‑making, or supporting legal analysis tied to emerging US regulatory tools.

You are not doing busywork in someone’s basement. You are working with research staff and affiliates who live and breathe AI governance. You get close mentorship, structured feedback, and the chance to shape actual written work — memos, research notes, drafts that might feed into publications or policy documents.

Second, the compensation. The fellowship pays around 1,500 dollars per week, with a possibility of more for particularly experienced or specialized candidates. For a law student or early‑career researcher, that is a serious summer income, especially when paired with fully covered travel and housing for the in‑person components.

Over a typical ~9‑week period, you are looking at well over ten thousand dollars for the summer, plus costs covered for events that would otherwise eat into your budget.

Third, the network and access. You will:

• Spend a week in Washington DC or Berkeley, connecting with fellow researchers and practitioners.
• Participate in Q&A sessions with leading AI law and policy experts.
• Attend the Summer Institute on Law and AI in DC, again with travel, accommodation, and meals covered.
• Get career planning support and networking opportunities specifically focused on US AI law and policy careers.
• Explore future collaborations, including follow‑on grants, invitations to events, and possible projects or roles connected to the Institute for Law and AI.

If you are trying to move from “I’m interested in AI law” to “I’m doing meaningful work in AI law, with people who matter,” this is exactly the sort of bridge you want.

Who Should Apply (and Who Probably Should Not)

This fellowship is not only for people who have already published a dozen articles on AI regulation. The Institute is explicit that you do not need prior AI‑specific research experience. What you do need is a solid legal brain and the ability to apply it to complex, technical questions.

You are a strong fit if:

• You have a strong understanding of US legal principles that matter for AI — think administrative law, constitutional law, liability, privacy, discrimination, competition, or related areas.
• You can read and interpret statutes, cases, and regulatory documents and translate that into clear, structured analysis.
• You are genuinely interested in applying those skills to AI governance rather than staying in abstract theory.

For example:

• A 2L at a US law school who has taken administrative law and civil procedure, done a note on algorithmic discrimination, and wants to test whether policy work beats big‑firm life.
• A policy lawyer working in tech, civil rights, or national security who wants a focused summer to deepen their AI expertise and build connections beyond their current employer.
• A PhD student or academic who works at the intersection of law, technology, ethics, or public policy and wants a structured environment to focus on AI‑specific questions.

They also welcome applicants with different levels of prior exposure to AI itself. You do not need to program or understand the internal math of large language models. What matters is that you can reason clearly about what AI does in society and how law should respond.

However, this is not a good fit if:

• You cannot commit to full‑time work from June 15 to August 21. They may consider small adjustments to start or end dates, but they strongly prefer full participation.
• You cannot attend the in‑person week (June 22–26) in DC or Berkeley. Travel is covered, but physical attendance matters.
• You are uninterested in US law and want something more global or purely technical. While the issues are globally relevant, the legal focus here is squarely on United States law and policy.

You will also need valid work authorization for wherever you will be based during the fellowship. The Institute is open to supporting visa processes “within reason,” but final decisions rest with authorities, and they clearly state that participation depends on having appropriate work authorization.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

You are applying to work with people who spend their lives thinking about AI risk, regulation, and institutional design. They value clarity, nuance, and evidence that you can think for yourself. A few concrete strategies:

1. Show your legal thinking, not just your résumé

The application and interviews are not just about where you studied or which firm you worked for. They want to see how you reason.

Use the application form to showcase an example where you analyzed a complex legal issue — a paper, a clinic case, a memo at work — and explain briefly how you broke it down, what you concluded, and why it mattered. Avoid generic lines like “I’m passionate about AI.” Everyone says that.

2. Be specific about your AI and policy interests

“AI and privacy” is vague. “How US antidiscrimination law should treat algorithmic scoring tools used by landlords” is concrete.

In your application and interviews, name one or two specific questions you’d be excited to work on. You are not locking yourself in; you are demonstrating that you can narrow down a topic into something researchable.

3. Prepare for the asynchronous interview like a timed take‑home

The asynchronous exploratory interview (about 30 minutes) is designed to see how you think about AI and its social, legal, and policy consequences.

Assume you will be asked something like: “What is a significant risk from advanced AI systems, and how should US law respond?” Practice giving concise, structured, 2‑3 minute answers that:

• Define the problem in concrete terms.
• Identify which legal tools may apply (statutes, agencies, doctrines).
• Acknowledge uncertainty and trade‑offs instead of pretending there is an easy fix.

Record yourself once or twice and listen back. You’ll immediately hear where you ramble or skip steps.

4. Turn the research interview into a real conversation

The research interview (about 60 minutes) is longer and more substantive. You will talk with a member of the research staff about your interests and how you might fit.

Come in with:

• One or two ideas for projects or topics that intersect your past experience with AI governance.
• A short, honest assessment of your strengths (e.g., doctrinal analysis, writing speed, familiarity with agency practice) and what you want to develop (e.g., technical understanding, empirical methods, policy writing).
• Specific questions about the fellowship: What kinds of outputs do fellows usually produce? How much independence will you have? How do research teams collaborate?

People remember thoughtful questions more than they remember polished monologues.

5. Make your writing samples ruthless and readable

Even if the form does not explicitly demand a long writing sample, you should assume your writing will be judged — in the way you fill in free‑text boxes and optional attachments.

Prioritize pieces that show you can:

• Explain legal concepts in plain language.
• Deal with technical or novel issues thoughtfully.
• Be concise but precise.

If all your writing is behind a clerkship or firm firewall, write a short standalone memo or blog‑style piece on an AI law issue now and have a professor or colleague critique it. Better to submit something crafted for this context than a random seminar paper that never found its rhythm.

6. Connect the fellowship to your next 5 years

In your statement and interviews, draw a clear line between this summer and your medium‑term goals.

For example:

• “After law school I want to work on federal tech policy, ideally at an agency or congressional office; this fellowship would give me structured research experience and a network in AI governance specifically.”
• “I’m an academic and I’m shifting my work toward AI accountability; I see this fellowship as a way to refine my research agenda and understand what kinds of questions actually matter to policymakers.”

Reviewers want to invest in people who will keep working on these problems, not just visit AI law for a summer fling.

Application Timeline: Working Back from January 30, 2026

The official deadline is January 30, 2026, 11:59 pm ET, but you do not want to be uploading your answers at 11:58.

Here is a realistic structure:

• By early December 2025: Decide that you’re serious about applying. Skim recent articles, blogs, or reports from the Institute for Law and AI and related organizations so you know the general themes they care about.

• Mid–December 2025: Draft a short one‑page note on why you want to work in AI law and what you’d like to explore. Show it to a mentor, professor, or trusted colleague and ask: “Does this sound concrete and convincing, or vague and fluffy?”

• Early January 2026: Block out a two‑hour window to complete a serious draft of the online application form. Do not treat it like a 20‑minute checkbox exercise, even if they say that’s about how long it takes. Write your longer responses in a separate document so you can revise.

• One week before deadline (around January 23): Finalize your answers, proofread everything, and double‑check basic data like availability dates and contact information. If you’re requesting flexibility on start/end dates or visa help, phrase those requests clearly and briefly.

• At least 48 hours before deadline (January 28): Submit. Avoid the temptation to wait “just in case you think of a better sentence.” Nothing kills a promising application faster than a missed deadline.

After that, expect the asynchronous interview and then, if successful, the research interview. The Institute aims to send final decisions by mid‑March, which still leaves plenty of time to coordinate with other summer commitments or offers.

Required Materials and How to Prepare Them

The application itself is hosted via an online form, but under the hood you will be supplying several kinds of information and implicit evidence.

You should be ready to provide:

• Personal and contact details, including where you’ll likely be based during the fellowship (important for work authorization questions).
• Academic and professional background: law school, degrees, clerkships, practice areas, current roles, or research positions.
• Evidence of legal competence: this might be via CV entries, references, or short descriptions of major projects.
• Short written responses about your interest in AI law, your relevant experience, and what you hope to do in the fellowship.
• Availability and logistical information, including confirmation that you can work full‑time from June 15 to August 21 and attend the in‑person week June 22–26.

Here is how to approach preparation:

1. Polish your CV for an AI policy audience

Trim down irrelevant items and bring forward anything that shows policy thinking, doctrinal analysis, or work near tech, regulation, or rights. A supervision memo in a discrimination case can be more relevant than a flashy corporate deal.

2. Draft mini‑essays before you see the form

Prepare 3–4 short paragraphs you can adapt:

• Why AI law and policy specifically concern you.
• One example of a legal or policy issue you have thought through in depth.
• What you want to gain from the fellowship.
• How you hope to contribute to the work of the Institute.

3. Make logistics easy for them

If you need date flexibility or visa assistance, mention it succinctly and without drama. Show that you’ve thought about the constraints and that you’re trying to make things workable, not asking them to fix your entire immigration situation.

What Makes an Application Stand Out

While the Institute does not publish a scoring rubric, you can infer what they care about from the structure of the process and the nature of the work.

Expect them to look for:

1. Strong legal foundation applied to novel problems

They want people who know how to think like lawyers and are willing to apply those skills to unfamiliar, messy questions. Your application should show that you can:

• Identify relevant legal doctrines and institutions.
• Follow chains of consequence (if we regulate X this way, Y and Z will happen).
• Work with uncertainty and incomplete information.

2. Clear written and spoken communication

You will be writing for audiences that range from technical researchers to policymakers. Dense, jargon‑heavy writing will not serve you well.

Applications that stand out will show:

• Crisp, efficient prose.
• Straightforward explanations of why issues matter.
• Minimal buzzwords; maximum substance.

3. Thoughtful engagement with AI risks and benefits

You do not need to be an AI doomer or an uncritical enthusiast. They will, however, want to see that you have grappled seriously with:

• Potential harms from advanced AI systems (safety, misuse, discrimination, national security).
• Potential benefits and why over‑regulation or under‑regulation might both be problematic.
• Trade‑offs: whose interests are served, whose are threatened.

Blanket statements (“AI will be good for everyone”) or catastrophizing without clear lines of reasoning will work against you.

4. Evidence of follow‑through

Because past fellows have moved into significant roles, the Institute likely prefers people who look committed to staying in the field.

Show:

• A track record of finishing substantial work (papers, reports, clinic cases).
• Signs that you’re intentionally moving toward AI law or related policy work.
• Plans for how you’ll use what you learn — not just “I’ll list this on my résumé,” but “I intend to target roles at X or Y institution where these skills and connections will matter.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A strong applicant can sabotage themselves with avoidable errors. Watch out for these:

1. Vague, generic motivations

“AI is changing everything and I want to be part of that change” says nothing. Replace it with one or two specific issues you’ve thought about and why they matter to you personally, professionally, or morally.

2. Overstating your technical expertise

If you are not a machine learning engineer, don’t pretend otherwise. It is fine — and honest — to say you are building your technical understanding. What matters more is that you can work productively with technical people and understand AI well enough to analyze its legal implications.

3. Treating the application form as an administrative formality

Yes, they say the application takes around 20 minutes. No, you shouldn’t actually spend only 20 minutes on it.

Write your answers offline, revise them, and then paste. The people who take the questions seriously will be the ones invited to interviews.

4. Being cagey about logistics

If your availability dates are complicated, or your visa situation is unclear, hiding that will not help you. Brief, clear explanations build trust; surprises after an offer create headaches. You want them to feel that working with you would be straightforward, not fraught.

5. Submitting at the last second

Late applications simply will not be assessed. And last‑minute submissions are more likely to include sloppy mistakes, missing details, or rushed answers. Treat the real deadline as two days earlier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need prior AI research experience?

No. The fellowship does not require you to have published or formally researched AI before. What you do need is:

• A strong grounding in US legal principles.
• The ability to apply that grounding to complex, emerging questions related to AI.

Curiosity plus legal competence beats technical jargon without legal substance.

Is this only for US citizens or residents?

The focus of the work is US law and policy, but the Institute does not explicitly restrict applicants by nationality. However, you must have valid work authorization for wherever you will be based during the fellowship.

They state that they will make “every reasonable effort” to support visa sponsorship if you receive an offer, but whether that is possible depends on your situation and on the relevant authorities. If you are outside the US or on a temporary status, assume this is a live issue you will need to signal clearly in your application.

Can I work part‑time or combine this with another job?

The fellowship is designed as full‑time, from around June 15 to August 21. They might consider exceptional adjustments to start or end dates, but you should not expect to do this alongside another demanding full‑time role. The whole point is to give you time and space to focus on AI law and policy.

Where will I physically be based?

Most of the work is remote, so you can be based where you like, as long as your work authorization covers that location and you can collaborate across time zones as needed.

There are, however, two in‑person components:

1. A week in Washington DC or Berkeley, CA from June 22–26.
2. Attendance at the Summer Institute on Law and AI in DC in mid‑July.

For both, the Institute covers eligible travel, accommodation, and meals.

What happens after the fellowship?

This is not a one‑off summer fling. The Institute mentions opportunities for ongoing collaboration, which can include:

• Follow‑on funding via grants or sponsored projects.
• Invitations to future events and workshops.
• Potential job openings or project roles with the Institute or partner organizations.

And even if you don’t end up working directly with them afterward, you’ll leave with relationships and references that matter in government, AI labs, academia, and policy organizations.

How competitive is this?

They don’t publish acceptance rates, but given the pay level, the subject area, and the growing interest in AI law, you should assume this is quite competitive. That is not a reason to give up; it is a reason to treat your application like a serious advocacy document for your future career.

How to Apply

The application process is structured and transparent, which works in your favor if you plan ahead.

1. Submit the online application form
   Go to the official form here:
   https://airtable.com/app5cvdeXoRE1FvKj/pagEFfVwgRNFdsMp1/form

   Complete it by January 30, 2026, 11:59 pm Eastern. Budget more time than the suggested 20 minutes so you can think through your answers.

2. Asynchronous exploratory interview (about 30 minutes)
   If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to record answers to a set of questions. Treat it as a chance to show your reasoning style around AI and law, not to recite memorized lines.

3. Research interview (about 60 minutes)
   Next, you’ll speak with a research staff member. This is where your specific interests, strengths, and potential project directions will be explored more deeply. Bring your questions — this is as much about you assessing them as the reverse.

4. Decision by mid‑March
   They aim to let all applicants know their status by mid‑March. If you have another offer with an earlier decision deadline, mention that on your application so they can take it into account where possible.

Next Steps

If you are even halfway serious about working in AI law or policy — whether in government, at an AI lab, in academia, or at a think tank — this fellowship is worth a careful shot. It compresses into one summer what might otherwise take years of ad‑hoc networking and side projects to assemble: funding, mentorship, real work, and a visible entry point into the AI governance community.

Block an hour in your calendar this week. Use it to:

• Read the official description.
• Sketch your motivations and possible topics.
• Decide whether this fits your summer plans and visa situation.

Then, when you are ready, start your application here:

Ready to apply? Visit the official opportunity page:
Institute for Law and AI Summer Research Fellowship 2026 Application Form

Treat the form as the first piece of advocacy you write on AI law this year — and make it strong enough that you would hire yourself.