Learn about the Frontier AI Security Residency 2026 in Cambridge, UK - an 8-week, fully funded in-person programme for researchers and engineers working on AI security and verification. Run by ERA with Heron and the Oxford Hardware AI Governance Lab. Residency dates: 12 October - 4 December 2026.
Written applications for the Autumn 2026 cohort closed on 2 August 2026. This page remains a clear, SEO-friendly overview of the programme structure, funding, tracks, and who it is designed for. Join the official mailing list on securefrontier.ai to hear about future cycles.
Unlike remote AI fellowships, FASR is a full-time Cambridge residency: shared housing, a dedicated office (~50 minutes from London King’s Cross), expert mentors, ERA research managers, and a cohort of about 30 residents across hardware and cybersecurity.
Quick Facts - Frontier AI Security Residency 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | Frontier AI Security Residency (FASR) |
| Hosts | ERA, Heron, Oxford Hardware AI Governance Lab |
| Host city | Cambridge, United Kingdom |
| Format | 8 weeks, full-time, in person |
| Residency window | 12 October 2026 - 4 December 2026 |
| Cohort size | ~30 residents (hardware + cybersecurity) |
| Tracks | Research track and Applied track |
| Funding | Fully funded (stipend, housing, meals, travel, visa, compute) |
| Stipend | £34,125 equivalent (pro rata for the residency period) |
| Who can apply | Age 18+ worldwide (visa support available) |
| Autumn 2026 applications | Closed 2 August 2026 |
| Offers | Expected end of August 2026 |
Why This Residency Exists
Frontier AI models are being deployed faster than they are secured. Every new datacentre widens the attack surface, while the security and verification layer has not kept pace. FASR exists to back people closing that gap through concrete cybersecurity and hardware-enabled verification projects - not generic AI-safety essays.
Residents work on open problems that need domain depth and strategic thinking: confidential computing, hardware-enabled verification, side-channels, cryptography / zero-knowledge proofs, and threat modelling for frontier AI systems.
Two Tracks - Pick How You Want to Work
Research Track
Investigate an open question and aim for a concrete written deliverable: a technical report, policy-relevant analysis, or paper draft. Best for security, cryptography, hardware, and governance researchers who want publishable or decision-relevant output.
Applied Track
Ship into a real environment. Embedded, engineering-heavy placements at partner organisations, adding value to ongoing or new roadmap projects. Best for experienced security engineers, hardware specialists, ML systems builders, and operators.
For the applied track, many strong applicants bring 5+ years of industry experience - demonstrated ability matters more than formal credentials.
Example Project Directions
- Cybersecurity for recursive self-improvement (RSI) pathways
- Hardware off-switch prototypes for AI accelerators
- Tamper-evident enclosures and side-channel shielding for compute verification
- Practical zero-knowledge proofs of AI inference
- Stress-testing confidential computing against capable state-level attackers
- Threat modelling at the AI × cybersecurity intersection
What Residents Receive
- £34,125 salary-equivalent stipend (pro rata for the 8-week residency)
- Housing in Cambridge with the cohort
- Meals during working hours
- Full travel coverage and visa assistance for international participants
- Generous compute budget and research/tech resources
- Dedicated industry or research mentor plus an ERA Research Manager
- Workspace in the Cambridge residency office
- Workshops, guest speakers, networking, and wellbeing support
- Possible 6+ months extension funding for top residents; incubation support may be available for standout projects
Programme Structure
- Hands-on guidance - personalised research/engineering support, mentor pairing, workshops, and talks
- Ecosystem bridge - introductions across research labs, policy groups, startups, and agencies
- Cohort embedding - shared living-learning environment, focused work time, and organic collaboration
- Operations support - logistics handled so you can focus on the project
Travel opportunities to London, Oxford, and partner sites are part of the residency design.
Who Is a Strong Fit?
Minimum formal rule: be 18 or older. Full visa support is available globally. Profiles that tend to fit well include:
- Mid-career and senior security professionals (offensive security, red-teaming, infrastructure, cryptography, threat intelligence, incident response)
- Hardware and embedded specialists (chip design, accelerators, silicon security, sensors)
- Security and cryptography researchers (PhDs, postdocs, advanced industry/academic researchers)
- Professionals pivoting from adjacent technical or policy domains into frontier AI security
- Strong technical generalists already in AI safety who want to specialise in security defences
Application Process (Autumn 2026 Cycle)
- Written application - short essay questions (~1 hour). Closed 2 August 2026.
- Interviews - with ERA Research Managers, around 6 - 13 August 2026.
- Work tests - short project-scoped tests for mentor matching, around 17 - 26 August 2026.
- Offers - first cohort offers expected at the end of August 2026.
For future cycles, watch the official residency page and mailing list. Questions: hello@erafellowship.org.
How to Prepare for the Next Cycle
- Build a clear threat model and one sharp project idea.
- Show prior security, hardware, crypto, or evaluation work - even informal.
- Choose Research vs Applied intentionally and explain why.
- Explain why an in-person Cambridge residency unlocks work you cannot do remotely.
- Keep a CV and work samples ready before the next call opens.
Official Links
Frontier AI Security Residency - Official Page
securefrontier.ai - Programme Hub
Related Opportunities on Opportunity Station
- Frontier AI Security Residency - Full Guide
- Google Academic Research Awards 2026
- Anthropic AI Research Residency 2027
- Kennan Institute Digital Fellowship
- Browse all fellowships
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Frontier AI Security Residency 2026 fully funded?
Yes. Residents receive a £34,125 stipend equivalent (pro rata), Cambridge housing, work-hour meals, travel and visa support, plus compute resources.
When does the residency run?
12 October 2026 to 4 December 2026 (8 weeks, full-time, in person in Cambridge).
Can applicants from any country apply?
Yes, when age and ability criteria are met. Full visa support is available globally.
Do I need a PhD?
No. Demonstrated ability matters more than credentials. Applied roles often favour experienced industry engineers.
Are Autumn 2026 applications still open?
No. Written applications closed on 2 August 2026. Use the official mailing list for future cycles.
What are the two tracks?
Research (investigate and write) and Applied (ship as an engineering placement with a partner).
