SPAR Senior Fellows

A flexible path into AI safety for experienced professionals

SPAR Senior Fellows is for experienced professionals looking to transition into AI safety full-time, but starting with a more flexible setting. You spend three months on a project with a researcher or organization in the field, with support from the SPAR team along the way. It's remote and can be done part-time or full-time, so you can start your transition before leaving your current role.

Express interest in the next round

Applications open December 16 and close January 13. Places are limited.

Why SPAR

Pivot into AI safety without a gap

Most AI safety fellowships ask you to quit first and find out later whether the move works. SPAR is remote and can be done part-time, so you can quickly test your fit before leaving your current role.
Use what you already know

Work with an AI safety researcher or organization on a project that needs your expertise, whether that's policy, law, technical research, security, communications or operations.
Leave with proof and a network

Finish with concrete AI safety work to point to, references from people in the field, and a clear picture of the AI safety ecosystem.

Experienced professionals already stand out at SPAR. In Fall 2026, mentors accepted applicants with five or more years of work experience at about 1.7 times the rate of other applicants.

What Senior Fellows get

A pre-approved travel budget for selected AI safety events.
Fast-tracked admission to an in-person workshop of about three days, such as a Global Challenges Project or Lateral workshop
Connections to people and organizations working on the problems you care about
The option to wrap up your project early, once your mentor agrees, so you can focus on your next role
Support from the SPAR team throughout the program

Who we're looking for

Experienced professionals who think advanced AI will transform the world soon, and want to help it go well. The profiles the field needs most include policy staff, national security and administrative lawyers, intelligence analysts, strategic communicators, senior operations leaders, security and verification engineers, China specialists and diplomats.

We look for both an outstanding track record, such as senior experience, rare expertise, or relationships in government, industry or academia that few people in AI safety have, and strong character. We look for people who are sharp, flexible and humble, who take initiative and work well with others, and who are willing to look new and say when they don't know something.

How selection works

Becoming a Senior Fellow takes three steps.

Apply to SPAR projects between December 16 and January 13, like every other applicant. On the application, say you'd like to be considered for Senior Fellows.
Mentors and project leads decide who joins their projects, the same way they do for every fellow.
Once you're accepted onto a project, the SPAR team reviews everyone who asked to be considered and offers the Senior Fellow title to a small number of them.

Places are limited, so being accepted onto a project doesn't guarantee a Senior Fellow place.

FAQs

Does seniority guarantee a place?

No. Mentors choose fellows on the strength of their applications, and the SPAR team then selects a small number of Senior Fellows from those accepted. Many experienced applicants won't become Senior Fellows, but they can still get a lot of value out of SPAR.

Do I need AI safety experience?

No. We look for people who already take the risks from advanced AI seriously. Context on the field is part of what Senior Fellows get.

How much time does it take?

You agree your hours with your mentor. Most fellows spend between 5 and 40 hours a week, and the program runs February 8 to May 10.

What if I'm not selected as a Senior Fellow?

If a mentor accepts you onto their project, you still join SPAR as a fellow and do the same project.