Deadline: August 28, 2025
Applications for the Horizon Fellowship 2026 are now open. The Horizon Fellowship places experts in AI, biotechnology, and other emerging technologies in federal agencies, congressional offices and committees, and leading think tanks in Washington, DC for up to two years. Fellows receive comprehensive training, networking opportunities, and access to a supportive community of 85+ other fellows and alumni to launch their careers in public service.
Emerging technologies like AI and biotechnology are rapidly reshaping many domains, from healthcare and science to national security and the economy. The US government plays a critical role in developing and governing these technologies, but it often struggles to find and retain the requisite technical expertise.
Horizon fellows help bridge this gap, bringing subject-matter knowledge and experience to these pressing issues. As a fellow, you’ll join a community of dedicated professionals working on these challenges, allowing you to apply your expertise to real-world policy issues and launch a career in public service.
Program Structure
Successful applicants will go through training, matching, and placement phases from January to summer of 2026.
- Training (January–March 2026): The selected fellowship cohort completes a part-time, work-compatible remote training on how the US federal government works, applied skills (e.g., policy memo writing), and AI and biosecurity policy debates. The training culminates in an immersive in-person weekend in Washington, DC, where fellows connect with dozens of emerging technology experts from across the policy world. The curriculum and networking are designed to prepare fellows to secure high-impact placement offers and perform high-quality work during their fellowship.
- Matching (April–May 2026): After training, fellows begin an individualized matching process, during which Horizon connects them with prospective host organizations within their respective tracks (executive branch agencies, congressional offices and committees, or think tanks). Most fellows receive multiple offers and have the opportunity to choose the placement that best fits their goals. Horizon has a 100% fellow placement rate.
- Placement (Spring/Summer 2026 onward): After successfully matching, fellows work with their chosen host organization to finalize a start date that works best for them (typically during the summer). Horizon provides full-time salary and benefits once their placement begins. Fellows’ work is fully supervised and directed by their host organization.
Benefits
- Fellows receive a stipend of $113,000/year and junior fellows receive $75,000/year equivalent, plus $15,000 in health care support. Additionally, all fellows and junior fellows can access a $3,000 professional development stipend and up to $3,000 for relocation to DC (if needed).
Eligibility
- All fellows must be eligible to work in the United States and willing to live in the Washington, DC area for the duration of their placement. They are not able to sponsor US employment visas for fellows; US permanent residents (green card holders) are eligible to apply, but fellows who are not US citizens may be ineligible for placements that require a security clearance.
- Most competitive applicants have some amount of demonstrated subject-matter expertise in their emerging technology area of focus. This does not need to be a PhD-level specialization; it may be a paper, internship, work project, relevant undergrad degree, or course work. Beyond credentials, during the application process, we will assess your subject-matter expertise. They expect competitive applicants to be able to explain concepts in their subject area to a non-technical expert.
- They strongly encourage individuals with backgrounds and experiences underrepresented in science and technology policy to apply, such as women, veterans, and people of color.
Application
The initial application form asks for the following items:
- A CV or resume (≤ 2 pages)
- A series of short answer questions on your motivations and experiences (≤ 200 words)
After the initial submission, successful applicants will complete one short work test and a series of interviews. They are committed to using evidence-based best practices in the application and review process to promote diversity and merit-based selection within the talent pool, such as blind-grading application materials and compensating applicants for their time spent on work tests.
For more information, visit Horizon Fellowship.
