Deadline: August 30, 2026
Applications are open for the Horizon Fellowship 2027. The Horizon Fellowship helps emerging technology experts launch their careers in public service. 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 100+ 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, and it needs people who understand them. Horizon fellows supply that understanding across the institutions that shape technology policy.
Programme Structure
Successful applicants will go through training, matching, and placement phases from January to summer of 2027.
- Training (January to March 2027): The selected fellowship cohort completes a part-time, work-compatible remote training on policy work, including the mechanics of the federal government and applied skills like memo writing and policy analysis. The training culminates in an in-person weekend in Washington, DC, where fellows connect with dozens of emerging technology experts from across the policy world. The curriculum and networking prepare fellows to secure strong placement offers and perform high-quality work during their fellowship.
- Matching (April to May 2027): After training, fellows begin an individualized matching process. Fellows decide which host organizations to pursue; Horizon supports them with introductions, application feedback, and interview preparation. Most fellows receive multiple offers and choose the placement that best fits their goals. Horizon has a nearly 100% fellow matching rate.
- Placement (Spring/Summer 2027 onward): After successfully matching, fellows work with their chosen host organization to finalize a start date (typically during the summer). Horizon provides a full-time salary and benefits once their placement begins. Fellows’ work is fully supervised and directed by their host organization.
Benefits
- The provide $78,000 base salary for junior fellows, $130,000 for fellows, and $190,000+ for senior fellows. All fellows also receive a $17,000 benefits-equivalent stipend, a $3,000 professional development stipend, and up to $3,000 for relocation to DC, if needed.
Eligibility
- They are looking for people who want to put their expertise to work on the hardest problems in emerging technology policy.
- They value attitude, abilities, and knowledge more than formal credentials, and they welcome applicants from diverse and interdisciplinary professional backgrounds. The Horizon Fellowship has helped engineers, data scientists, historians, lawyers, doctors, and many other professionals transition into public service.
- Competitive candidates generally have demonstrated subject-matter expertise in their technology area of interest. This could include relevant coursework, work experience, research projects, policy writing, or deep self-study. Prior policy experience is not required.
They support fellows at a range of career stages through three fellowship levels:
- Junior fellow: typically less than 3 years of full-time work experience and no PhD. Current students and recent graduates are welcome to apply.
- Fellow: typically 3+ years of relevant full-time experience or a PhD.
- Senior fellow (new this year): typically 12+ years of full-time experience, including extensive leadership experience. Senior fellows will typically be placed in roles with greater responsibility, such as leading workstreams and advising senior decision-makers.
Application
The bulk of the application consists of administrative questions and a set of brief (max. 100-word) short-answer responses. If you exit without submitting, the application will not save your answers.
For more information, visit Horizon Fellowship.
