The LawAI Summer Fellowship is a paid 10-week programme for law students, professionals and academics interested in United States AI law and policy. The 2027 fellowship runs from June 14 to August 20, 2027 and is designed primarily for in-person participation in Washington, DC. Fellows receive a $2,000 weekly subsidy, and those who relocate to Washington can receive a $10,000 relocation and housing stipend. Applications close on January 29, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
The programme combines project work, tailored mentorship, career planning and opportunities to engage with researchers, policymakers and other experts working on AI governance. Prior AI-specific research experience is not required, but applicants should show strong understanding of legal principles relevant to AI regulation in U.S. law and policy through formal study or comparable professional experience. The fellowship is distinct from LawAI’s Summer Research Fellowship (Legal Frontiers), which has a different research emphasis and compensation structure.
LawAI Summer Fellowship Details
The Institute for Law & AI runs the Summer Fellowship (US) for participants who want to work on legal and policy questions connected with advanced artificial intelligence. Fellows collaborate with a mentor and can work on outputs such as reports, policy briefs, legal research or law review articles.
The standard fellowship is full time for 10 weeks. A Convening Week takes place in Washington, DC from June 21 to 25, and fellows also receive admission to the Summer Institute on Law and AI in Washington during July.
Host | Institute for Law & AI |
|---|---|
Location | Washington, DC, USA |
Duration | 10 weeks |
Weekly subsidy | $2,000 |
Relocation support | $10,000 for fellows relocating to DC |
Deadline | 29 January 2027, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time |
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LawAI Summer Fellowship Benefits
Fellows receive a $2,000 weekly subsidy. Participants who relocate to Washington, DC for the summer receive a $10,000 relocation and housing stipend, while candidates with exceptional experience or qualifications may be considered for higher subsidies.
Eligible travel, accommodation and meals are covered for Convening Week, and the programme also covers eligible participation costs for the Summer Institute on Law and AI. Also Check: applicants interested in a more research-focused LawAI track can review the published LawAI Summer Research Fellowship. Applicants comparing funded U.S. research opportunities can also review the Wilson Center Research Fellowship.
LawAI Summer Fellowship Eligibility
Applicants should demonstrate strong understanding of legal principles relevant to AI regulation in U.S. law and policy through formal U.S. legal study or comparable professional experience. Prior AI-specific research experience is not required, but candidates should be ready to apply legal knowledge and research skills to AI governance questions.
Typical applicants include graduate law students, PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, legal academics and professionals seeking to move into AI-focused research, government, academia or industry roles. Applicants must be able to participate full time from June 14 to August 20 and attend the Washington Convening Week from June 21 to 25. Students exploring another intensive U.S. summer programme can compare the PPIA Junior Summer Institute.
Requirements and Required Documents
The initial application is completed through LawAI’s online form and asks candidates to provide background information relevant to the U.S. Law and Policy track. Applicants should be prepared to explain their legal experience, interest in AI law and policy, and the type of work they could pursue during the fellowship.
Shortlisted applicants move to an asynchronous exploratory interview followed by a 45-minute project interview with LawAI staff. Visa or immigration permission is ultimately determined by the relevant authorities, although LawAI states that it will make reasonable efforts to support visa sponsorship for successful applicants.
How to Apply for the LawAI Summer Fellowship
Candidates apply through the official LawAI Summer Fellowship (US) application page. Before submitting, applicants should review the United States Law and Policy workstream so they can explain how their background and interests fit the programme.
The initial application takes approximately 20 minutes according to LawAI. Candidates who pass the first review proceed to the asynchronous exploratory interview and then a project interview before final decisions are issued.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is January 29, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. LawAI states that late applications cannot be assessed, so applicants should submit before the final hours of the deadline day.
Guidance Gem stores the closing time using the America/New_York timezone with the reader-friendly label Eastern Time. The fellowship dates in June and August are programme dates, not application deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main questions concern compensation, duration, location and the difference between this programme and LawAI’s research-focused tracks. The answers below follow the current official Summer Fellowship (US) page.
Applicants should still review the live page before submitting because LawAI may update operational details or application instructions during an open round.
How much does the fellowship pay?
The standard weekly subsidy is $2,000, with a separate $10,000 relocation and housing stipend for fellows relocating to Washington, DC.
How long is the fellowship?
The 2027 programme lasts 10 weeks, from June 14 through August 20.
Is the fellowship remote?
The programme is designed primarily for in-person participation in Washington, DC, although LawAI may consider remote arrangements case by case for compelling circumstances.
When is the application deadline?
Applications close on January 29, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Conclusion
The LawAI Summer Fellowship offers a focused 10-week route into U.S. AI law and policy with substantial paid support, close mentorship and direct exposure to the Washington policy community. The $2,000 weekly subsidy and relocation support make the programme financially accessible for selected participants.
Applicants should review the U.S. Law and Policy workstream, explain the relevance of their legal background and complete the online form before January 29, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Candidates interested in the separate Legal Frontiers research track should use that programme’s own application page and requirements.
