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Short answer: the Anthropic Fellows Program is a full-time, four-month, funded research placement run by Anthropic for people who want to work on AI safety questions. As described on the official pages on 2026-11-07, it does not require a PhD, prior machine-learning experience or published papers, but it does require fluent Python, full-time availability and work authorization in the UK, US or Canada. This guide reconciles what the program page and the job posting each say, because they differ on application details.
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Suggested question: “How do I apply for the Anthropic Fellows Program?”
What it is and who runs it
The program is run by Anthropic. According to the Anthropic Fellows Program page (read 2026-11-07), fellows receive funding for compute and close mentorship from Anthropic researchers, and work for four months on empirical research questions aligned with Anthropic’s research priorities. Mentors pitch project ideas and fellows choose and shape the project they work on.
The page reports outcomes for the program since early 2025: more than 200 fellows have participated, over 65% have published work from their fellowship, and over 35% of fellows from past cohorts subsequently joined Anthropic full-time to work on AI safety. These are Anthropic’s own figures and are not independently audited.
Research areas
The page lists scalable oversight, adversarial robustness and AI control, model organisms, mechanistic interpretability, AI security, and model welfare.
Eligibility
The program page states: “You don’t need a PhD, prior ML experience, or published papers,” and that Anthropic cares much more about ability to execute on research than credentials. It says past fellows have come from physics, mathematics, computer science and cybersecurity. Strong candidates are described as having coding skill, motivation to reduce catastrophic AI risk, and the ability to learn quickly and drive projects under uncertainty.
The job posting (read 2026-11-07) adds the hard requirements:
- Fluency in Python programming.
- Availability to work full-time on the program (about 40 hours a week for four months, with a possible extension).
- Work authorization in the UK, US or Canada, and being located in one of those countries during the program. Visa sponsorship is not currently offered.
- Prior research experience is not required; a computer science, mathematics or physics background is described as a good fit.
Fit check in plain language
| Question | What the official pages say | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Do I need a PhD? | No | Program page |
| Do I need published papers or ML experience? | No | Program page |
| Do I need to code? | Yes, fluent Python | Job posting |
| Can I do it part-time? | No, full-time availability is required | Job posting |
| Can I apply from outside the UK, US or Canada? | Work authorization and location in one of the three are required; no visa sponsorship | Job posting |
What it funds or requires
The program page gives compute funding of about 15,000 USD per month and says stipend details are in the job description. The job posting lists a weekly stipend of 3,850 USD, 2,310 GBP or 4,300 CAD depending on country, plus benefits that vary by country, and states that compute and research expenses are funded. Workspaces named in the posting are London and Berkeley (Toronto is also listed), with remote options in the UK, US and Canada.
| Item | As described | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4 months, full-time | Both |
| Compute | About 15,000 USD per month | Both |
| Weekly stipend | 3,850 USD / 2,310 GBP / 4,300 CAD | Job posting |
| Mentorship | Close mentorship from Anthropic researchers | Program page |
Application steps
The program page directs applicants to the job posting for the application process. The posting describes this sequence: an application and reference check, then technical assessments and interviews, and a research discussion. The posting also says applications go through Constellation rather than the Greenhouse form.
Where the two official pages differ
On 2026-11-07 the program page said applications are rolling and to apply by October 18 to be considered for the January cohort, while the job posting said to apply by October 30 for the January cohort. Because cohort deadlines are specific to each intake and the two pages disagreed, treat any date on a third-party site as unconfirmed and check both official pages before planning around a deadline. No date for any later cohort is stated here.
Typical timeline phases
- Application window: rolling applications, with a cutoff tied to a target cohort.
- Screening: application and reference check.
- Assessment: technical assessments and interviews, then a research discussion.
- Placement: four months full-time, working with a mentor on a chosen project.
- After the program: a possible extension is mentioned in the posting.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a PhD or publication record is needed: the program page says it is not.
- Overlooking the hard requirements in the job posting: Python fluency, full-time availability and UK/US/Canada work authorization.
- Relying on an aggregator’s deadline when the two official pages gave different dates.
- Treating the program as a part-time or remote-from-anywhere opportunity; it is neither as described.
Related programs
For other AI-safety and fellowship funding described on CASRAI, see these guides. They are different programs with their own eligibility rules, so compare each on its own official page.
| Program guide | Why it is related |
|---|---|
| Schmidt Sciences AI safety and trustworthy AI funding | Philanthropic funding for AI safety research |
| Center for AI Safety explained | An AI safety organization and its work |
| Schmidt Science Fellows | A postdoctoral fellowship for scientists changing fields |
| Apple PhD fellowship | Industry-funded fellowship in the same field |
For the wider landscape of award types, see types of grants.
FAQ
How do I apply for the Anthropic Fellows Program?
Through the job posting linked from the program page; the posting says applications go through Constellation. Expect an application and reference check, technical assessments and interviews, and a research discussion.
What is the Anthropic fellowship acceptance rate?
Neither official page publishes an acceptance rate. The only outcome figures given are for fellows who took part: over 200 fellows, over 65% published, over 35% joined Anthropic full-time.
Is there an Anthropic Fellows Program for 2026 or 2027?
The pages read on 2026-11-07 refer to a January cohort and rolling applications. They state no 2027 dates, so none are given here.
Do I need a PhD or machine learning experience?
No. The program page says you do not need a PhD, prior ML experience or published papers, though the job posting requires fluent Python.
Does the program pay a stipend?
The job posting lists 3,850 USD, 2,310 GBP or 4,300 CAD per week depending on country, plus benefits that vary by country, and funded compute and research expenses.
Is visa sponsorship available?
The job posting says visa sponsorship is not currently offered and requires work authorization in the UK, US or Canada.
Sources
- Anthropic, Anthropic Fellows Program page, read 2026-11-07.
- Anthropic, Fellows program job posting, read 2026-11-07.
Programs change; details above are as described on the official pages on 2026-11-07.
