The Miami Law & AI (MiLA) Lab at the University of Miami School of Law, in collaboration with the University of Miami Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy (IBHP), announced the AI, Law & Ethics Research Awards 2026 - inviting proposals for research, policy, and tool-development projects at the intersection of AI, law, and ethics.
Scholars, students, legal practitioners, technologists, and interdisciplinary teams from all institutions worldwide were invited to apply. Official proposal deadline: 4 September 2026, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (confirm any late updates with MiLA; the call may now be closed).
This Opportunity Station guide is original copy based on official MiLA Lab / University of Miami School of Law programme announcements. It is not a reprint of any third-party blog.
Quick Facts - MiLA Lab AI, Law & Ethics Research Awards 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | AI, Law & Ethics Research Awards 2026 |
| Host | Miami Law & AI (MiLA) Lab, University of Miami School of Law |
| Partner | University of Miami Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy (IBHP) |
| Type | Research / policy / AI legal tool awards |
| Honorarium | USD 2,000 per project |
| Format | Remote-friendly research collaboration (per programme announcements) |
| Who | Scholars, students, legal practitioners, technologists; individuals or teams; all countries |
| Categories | Theoretical/empirical research; policy papers; AI proof-of-concept tools for law |
| Proposal deadline | 4 September 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET |
| Collaborator matching | Requests due by 20 August 2026 (preferred UM collaborator matching window) |
| Official lab | MiLA Lab - University of Miami School of Law |
| Submit | MiLA@law.miami.edu |
Project Categories
- Theoretical or empirical research projects on AI and law
- Policy papers at the AI - law - ethics intersection
- AI-driven proof-of-concept (PoC) tools for the legal domain
Themes may include AI governance, legal education, healthcare and bioethics, intellectual property, access to justice, and related fields.
Benefits
- USD 2,000 honorarium per selected project
- Technical support, including computational resources and development team access
- Access to research materials
- Opportunity to present work at MiLA Lab group sessions
- Mentorship and networking with leading AI and law scholars
Eligibility
- Open to scholars, students, legal practitioners, and technologists with demonstrated interest in AI and law
- Applicants welcome from many fields (e.g. business, computer science, education, engineering, health sciences, bioethics, law, medicine, philosophy, political science, public health, psychology, and related disciplines)
- Individual and team applications accepted; candidates from all institutions and countries
- Cross-institutional proposals with at least one University of Miami collaborator are prioritised (preferred, not required)
Selection Criteria
- Originality and innovation of the proposal
- Feasibility within the award period
- Applicant qualifications and demonstrated interest in AI and law
- Potential impact on the field of AI and law
- Cross-institutional collaboration with a UM faculty member or student (preferred)
How to Apply
- Review MiLA Lab information on the University of Miami School of Law MiLA Lab page.
- Prepare a ZIP file containing:
- Research proposal (750 - 1,000 words) with category, title, abstract (up to 150 words), project description, methodology/approach (if applicable), potential impact, and timeline with milestones
- CV or résumé
- Optional: publications list, writing sample, or code sample
- Email the ZIP to MiLA@law.miami.edu with subject line: Research Award Application - YOUR_NAME.
- Submit by 4 September 2026, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (or confirm current status with MiLA if applying after the posted deadline).
Official Links
Email application - MiLA@law.miami.edu
Miami Law & AI (MiLA) Lab - University of Miami School of Law
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FAQs - MiLA Lab AI, Law & Ethics Research Awards 2026
When was the deadline?
4 September 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Confirm with MiLA whether late submissions are still accepted.
How much is the award?
Selected projects receive a USD 2,000 honorarium, plus technical support, mentorship, and presentation opportunities.
Who can apply?
Scholars, students, legal practitioners, and technologists worldwide - individuals or teams. UM collaboration is preferred but not required.
Where do I submit?
Email a ZIP of your proposal and CV to MiLA@law.miami.edu with the required subject line.
Is it remote?
Programme announcements described a remote-friendly research experience with MiLA support and presentation opportunities.
