An 8-month programme helping ambitious graduates to launch policy careers focused on emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence.
Includes
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Two intensive week-long bootcamps in Brussels
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A 2 month remote study group covering AI governance fundamentals featuring guest talks from field leaders and experts with exclusive closed Q&A sessions.
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(Track 1 only) 4-6 month placement at a leading European think tank or
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(Track 2 only) Job search support to find a role and launch your career in EU Tech Policy.
Explore a policy career working on this century's most important problems.
Timeline
Brussels Policy Training
June 26 - June 30 2023
An intensive training covering key concepts in AI and EU policy. Featuring guest speakers, interactive workshops and networking events in Brussels.
Travel and accommodation costs will be fully covered.
Summer Sessions
July - August
Part-time remote study group, featuring guest lectures, covering AI governance fundamentals.
Workload ~5 hours per week.
Brussels Policy Training
Sep 3 - Sep 8 2023
A second week covering more advanced topics and policy skills designed to prepare you for entering a role in EU policy.
Travel and accommodation costs will be fully covered.
Placement
(Track 1 only)
Starting Sep 2023
4-6 month placement with a European think tank working on emerging technology policy.
Fellows will gain experience and build a strong network.
Job Search Support
(Track 2 only)
September
Application support for a position in the European Commission, party politics or related policy roles.
1 month stipends are available to explore and apply for such roles.
How it works
Mix of part-time and full-time. The fellowship starts with a kick-off week at the end of June, followed by a part time reading group including online guest lectures over summer (workload: 4-7h a week). We come together again in Brussels on September 3 for a full week of policy training. After this week most fellows (Track 1) start a 4 to 6 month full time placement at leading European think tanks, while some fellows (Track 2) will receive 1-2 month application support to identify, explore and ultimately land impactful jobs in relevant European institutions.
Mix of object-level expertise and soft skills. The summer reading group focuses mostly on different technology governance issues. The weeks in Brussels will be mostly spent on improving your policy skills, working in teams on policy proposals and presenting to actual policy makers. During your 4-6 month placement you will be able to receive real-life work experience and to build up your personal network.
Focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Within the cluster of emerging technologies, we currently believe AI-based applications deliver the largest risks and opportunities to humanity. We therefore focus almost solely on this regulation of AI in the curriculum. We also believe the skills gained during this programme are highly transferable. If another emerging technology proves to be more important, the experience and career capital gained during this programme will remain useful.
Who should apply?
Our fellows will pursue roles ranging from politics to advocacy to applied research. The 2023 fellowship will bring together a diverse cohort of specialisms including deep technical knowledge, experience and knowledge of the political system and the policy process, and potential leaders in the field. As such, no one list of traits of requirements can capture what we are looking for.
What our Fellows have in common:
Ambitious for maximal impact. A commitment to reducing some of the worst risks facing humanity and improving the world by maximising one’s expected career impact
Passionate about technology, specifically AI. Our fellows live and breathe technology and its importance to our society. They have previous experience, education or a deep interest in AI or relate emerging technologies.
Grit. The ability to doggedly pursue their goals and persevere against resistance, reticence and apathy. Our Fellows are willing to work hard and be patient yet proactive in their pursuit of policy change
Being able to deal with high-pressure. Brussels can be hectic with short policy research timelines and narrow policy windows. Our fellows need to thrive in such an environment, especially fellows interested in the more political work.
Only EU-citizens with at least a bachelor / undergraduate degree are eligible for this program and please note that we are open to people with technical profiles wanting to leap into the world of policy.
If you think you have what it takes, but don't meet every single point above, please apply and let us know how you believe you can bring your unique skills to the world of tech policy.
Where you'll work
Centre for European Policy Studies
The Centre for European Policy Studies is a leading think tank and forum for debate on EU affairs, ranking among the top think tanks in Europe.
The Future Society
The Future Society is an independent nonprofit organization based in the US and Europe with a mission to align AI through better governance.
German Marshall Fund
The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) is a non-partisan policy organization that champions the principles of democracy, human rights, and international cooperation.
& many more
Past fellows have also worked at the NL AI Coalition and many other partner institutions.
Apply for track 1 and you'll be placed in a major European think tank for 4-6 months, working on policy relevant to emerging technology. Each placement will be unique, based on the needs of the organisation and the skills of fellows.
Placements
Available for track 1 only.
Each placement will be unique. Fellows will be matched with a partner organisation based on the needs of the organisation and the fellows' skills. Both fellows and host organisations are consulted in the matching process to find the best fit.
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Partner organisations will host fellows, physically or remote.
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Placements will typically last 4-6 months between September 2023 and February 2024.
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Fellows will have one or more designated task(s) / practical assignment(s) with clear goals.
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Fellows will participate in team meetings and other relevant activities to provide a good impression of what a career in this field would entail.
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Training For Good will arrange stipends for all fellows during these placements.
Job Application
Support
Available for track 2 only.
Support and guidance will be provided for those wishing to pursue a position at the European Commission, in party politics or in another policy role.
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Fellows will receive a 1-2 month stipend to explore and apply for policy roles focused on emerging technology in Europe.
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Fellows will participate in career decision workshops to determine which policy roles they might have high personal fit for.
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Fellows will receive feedback on their CVs and interview training.
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Training for Good will provide feedback on fellows' applications.
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Connections and mentorship opportunities from others working in emerging technology policy in Europe.
FAQs
When exactly does the programme start?
The fellowship starts annually in June. The 2023 fellowship will begin at the end of June 2023 (exact dates to be confirmed).
Is the fellowship paid?
Fellows receive stipends up to €2,250 per month during the full-time period of the fellowship. Placements in Track 1 last for 4-6 months, while application support lasts one month.
What do Track 1 and 2 mean?
Track 1 is the track that includes placements at leading Brussels think tanks lasting 4-6 months (September 2023 - February 2024). Track 2 includes one month of application support instead, enabling you to apply for roles within the European Commission or other relevant organisations.
What our past fellows say
I have learned so much about the inner workings of the EU, who influences policy, how to get a career in the EU and building a network during this fellowship.
I have much more information which makes my vision of what I want to do in the future clearer, and I had a lot of fun along the way.
The fellowship had a very positive effect on my career. I developed personally (e.g. my networking skills, an understanding of myself).
I also gained a much more thorough insight into AI policy in a way I wouldn't have been able to through self-study.
The EU Tech Policy Fellowship enabled me to substantially expand my network in technology policy.
It also equipped me with novel tools to analyse and, hopefully one day, have a socially beneficial impact on the EU's technology policy
Our application process has 5 stages. The further you get, the more time we’ll ask you to invest.
1. Application form (45 minutes)
Complete our application form by December 11. Include your CV and answer some questions.
2. Short Test Tasks and additional questions (1.5 hours)
In this round we will assess your epistemics, motivation and other career opportunities
3. Longer test task (3 hours)
Submit a piece of writing on a topic related to tech policy and complete a competency assessment.
4. Interview with Training For Good (45 minutes)
Answer general and situational questions relevant to policy in a live interview.
5. Interview(s) with placement organisations (30-60 minutes)
Track 1 only. Answer general and situational questions to test the your fit with the placement organisation
Not applying? Tell us why.