Applications are open for the Foundation for American Innovation’s Conservative AI Policy Fellowship (CAPF) 2027 - an eight-week, part-time Winter 2027 fellowship in Washington, DC for conservative policy professionals seeking to understand artificial intelligence and emerging-technology debates.
Fellows meet weekly with technologists and policy experts, complete a weekend retreat, and build practical AI policy literacy. The programme is fully funded (meals and retreat covered under ethics rules); fellows are eligible for a $1,500 stipend. No technical AI background required. Deadline: 30 October 2026, 11:59 pm ET. Programme dates: 19 January - 12 March 2027.
This Opportunity Station guide is original copy based on the official FAI fellowships page. It is not a reprint of any third-party blog.
Quick Facts - CAPF Winter 2027
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organiser | Foundation for American Innovation (FAI) |
| Cohort | Winter 2027 |
| Duration | 8 weeks, part-time |
| Dates | 19 January - 12 March 2027 |
| Location | FAI office, Capitol Hill, Washington, DC |
| Weekly commitment | ~2 - 3 hours + required weekend retreat |
| Funding | Fully funded; eligible for $1,500 stipend |
| Technical AI experience | Not required |
| Deadline | 30 October 2026, 11:59 pm ET |
| Apply | Official CAPF application form |
Programme Structure
- Weekly sessions usually Fridays 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. or Tuesdays 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
- Weekend retreat in February (Friday evening through Sunday afternoon)
- ~30 - 60 minutes reading/prep plus a short policy memo or project with mentor guidance
- Attendance at regular sessions is required
Featured Topics
- Overview of AI from a policy perspective
- National security & defense implications of AI
- Powering American AI (energy and reindustrialization)
- AI competition: chips, export controls, competition with China
- Labor & market policy / economic effects of AI
- Safety & family: AI’s impact on children and families
Benefits
- Fully funded programme; meals and retreat expenses covered in line with government ethics rules
- Eligible for a $1,500 stipend (subject to employer/ethics approval where applicable)
- Weekly engagement with technologists and policy experts
- Weekend intensive workshops, collaborative projects, and networking
- Practical AI policy vocabulary and fundamentals for DC decision-making
Eligibility
- Conservative policy professionals interested in shaping AI and emerging-technology decisions
- Particularly suited for: Congressional / executive branch staff; think tank and policy researchers; tech professionals transitioning into AI policy; exceptional early-career applicants with strong judgment
- No prior technical AI expertise required
- Strong policy judgment and willingness to engage competing perspectives
- Government employees may participate; stipend/benefits subject to ethics rules - obtain employer approval before accepting
How to Apply
- Review the programme on the official FAI CAPF page.
- Confirm you can attend weekly DC sessions and the February weekend retreat.
- Submit the application form by 30 October 2026, 11:59 pm ET.
Questions: fellowships@fai.org
Official Links
Conservative AI Policy Fellowship (official)
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- National AI Innovation Challenge 2027
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- Browse all fellowships
FAQs - CAPF 2027
When is the deadline?
30 October 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.
Is the fellowship funded?
Yes - fully funded for meals and retreat costs; fellows are eligible for a $1,500 stipend (ethics rules may apply).
Do I need an AI technical background?
No. The programme is designed for policy professionals building AI literacy.
Where do I apply?
Via the official application form linked from FAI’s fellowships page.
