About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
The following is a non-exhaustive list of profiles that we anticipate may fit the program:
A current or prospective graduate student seeking financial support to pursue studies in digital minds issues
A technical AI researcher who would like to explore research topics, attend events, and meet organisations in the digital minds space in order to select a high-impact role
A communications professional interested in pivoting to digital minds work by running surveys and building experts’ platforms
A non-profit entrepreneur who plans to spend a year exploring the digital minds space and identifying an organisation that would be useful to start up
A career civil servant, diplomat, or legal researcher seeking to explore what could be done to secure policies that deal with potential digital minds sensibly
A participant in an AI safety fellowship program (such as or FIG) who is looking to continue working with their mentor on digital minds topics in a way that sets them up for longer-term roles.
If you are not represented in this list but you believe you are a strong fit for this program, please apply!
Requirements and selection criteria
Successful applicants to this program will typically be either degree students or people with an established mentorship relationship looking to spend dedicated time developing skills and exploring potential roles. We are also interested in helping exceptionally talented individuals spend dedicated time identifying high-impact organisations they could start up.
Applications will be assessed on three criteria, weighed together:
A strong interest in digital sentience and the questions surrounding it.
Strong applicants will demonstrate that they have already engaged seriously with these issues, that they understand how the field relates to the broader landscape of Al risk, and that they have a considered view of where useful contributions might be made.
Evidence of capacity for impactful work.
Demonstrated by prior achievements, employment history, academic record, and references.
Promising plans for fellowship activities and potential future work activities
Ideally, this will include mentors or advisors who will help applicants succeed.
We prioritise applicants who could not easily pursue this work without Longview Philanthropy funding, or whose existing funding comes with restrictions that would limit what they can do
Eligible Activities
The fellowship can support a wide range of career development activities, including:
Graduate study related to digital minds
Postdoctoral research
Course buy-outs for current academics
Unpaid or low-paid internships at relevant organisations
Independent study and skill development
Career transition or exploration periods
Transition stipends bridging between roles
Other career-capital-building activities relevant to working on digital minds issues
How to apply