Flagship programme

The Talos Fellowship.

Our flagship programme for launching and accelerating European policy careers focused on artificial intelligence — with the safe and responsible deployment of advanced AI at its core.

Applications closed. Applications for the Autumn 2026 cohort have closed. Sign up to our newsletter below to hear when the next round opens.
View the curriculum → Read the FAQs
Talos Fellows at the Brussels summit
Autumn 2026

The timeline.

  1. 6 March – 27 April 2026Application period
  2. June 2026Fellows selected
  3. 19 August – 30 September 2026EU AI Policy Fundamentals (online)
  4. 3 – 9 October 2026Talos Summit in Brussels
  5. October 2026 – March 2027Placement at partner organisation
What's involved

Three components.

01

Online Reading Group

An 8-week deep-dive into the most important considerations in European AI governance today — weekly readings, guest speakers with subject-matter expertise, and small-group discussion.

02

Brussels Policymaking Summit

A 6-day in-person summit in Brussels: expert speakers on policy design, communications and implementation, Q&As and networking with experts at the cutting edge of AI governance, and practical role-playing workshops.

03

Fellowship Project

Every fellow develops a project: a policy commentary or op-ed, or a plan for a new initiative. Top projects are recognised with prizes — and selected initiatives may receive funding to continue after the Fellowship.

Online reading group

Seven weeks of fundamentals.

AI Policy Fundamentals is a deep-dive into European AI governance. Each week combines readings, guest speakers and discussion. The full curriculum is available here.

Expert predictions for advanced AI have shortened from decades to potentially within this decade. We explore how capabilities are projected to evolve through continued scaling, what systemic risks these developments pose, and what mitigation strategies are available to policymakers.Sample reading: Unresolved debates about the future of AI — Helen Toner (2025)
The evolving landscape of AI regulation across major jurisdictions: how countries balance innovation imperatives with safety concerns, the spectrum from principles-based to rules-based approaches, and the differences between the EU, US and China.Sample reading: From Principles to Rules: A Regulatory Approach for Frontier AI — Schuett et al. (2024)
Stepping back from AI-specific policy to explore Europe's broader digital regulatory ecosystem — including the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA) — and how it shaped AI governance.Sample reading: Building CERN for AI: an institutional blueprint — Centre for Future Generations (2025)
With comprehensive governance established through the AI Act, the EU now confronts the harder task of building competitive AI infrastructure and industrial capacity. We examine the AI Continent Action Plan and Europe's pursuit of technological sovereignty.Sample reading: The AI Continent Action Plan — European Commission (2025)
AI has become a key battleground in global competition. We analyse how governance decisions are increasingly driven by national security concerns, and whether export controls are effective tools for managing AI risks and international competition.Sample reading: The EU's AI Power Play — Carnegie Endowment (2025)
AI governance extends far beyond national policymaking — a complex ecosystem of international organisations, standard-setting bodies, civil society and corporate actors shapes how AI is developed and deployed globally.Sample reading: What should be internationalised in AI governance? — Dennis et al. (2024)
The economic impact of AI: the potential for rapid economic growth, changes in labour markets, and the challenges posed by economic concentration.Sample reading: Is AI already shaking up the labor market? — Deming et al., Harvard Gazette (2025)
Choose your route

Three tracks.

During the application process, you choose one of three tracks.

01 — Training Track

Deepen & connect

For those already working in AI governance who join primarily to deepen their knowledge and expand their network. Completed after the online reading group, fellowship project and summit.

Reading groupSummitProject
02 — Placement Track

Launch your initiative

For applicants with entrepreneurial ambition who want to realise their own project idea. After the reading group you can apply for funding — selected fellows may receive up to €3,000/month for up to 6 months. Example initiatives: an AI governance research project, a high-level event series, founding a new organisation.

Up to €3,000/moUp to 6 months
03 — Incubation Track

Join a think tank

For applicants seeking practical experience in leading AI governance think tanks: a paid 4–6 month placement at organisations including The Future Society, OECD.AI, the Centre for Future Generations and CEPS.

Paid placement4–6 months
Who we look for

You should apply if…

  • You're an AI expert, with a deep interest in artificial intelligence and its effects on society.
  • You're relentless, with the skills to thrive in the fast-paced Brussels environment and produce high-quality results under pressure.
  • You're an excellent communicator, able to convey complex concepts to a diverse range of audiences.
  • You're an EU citizen. Many of the most important roles in EU institutions are only open to EU citizens, so we have a strong preference for EU citizenship.
  • You've finished your undergraduate degree. Many fellows hold a master's or PhD. We're open to exceptional applicants from any subject area, with particular focus on machine learning or public policy backgrounds.

If you think you have what it takes but don't meet every single point, please apply anyway — and tell us how your unique skills can contribute to the world of tech policy.

The process

How to apply.

01

Application

< 45 minutes

Complete our application form — include your CV and answer some short questions.

02

Assignment & automated interview

< 2 hours

Shortlisted candidates complete a ~60-minute assignment and a ~30-minute automated interview.

03

Live interview

< 60 minutes

A deeper, remote interview with the Talos Fellowship team. Final offers are made at this stage.

04

Placement interview

< 60 minutes

If needed, an interview with potential placement organisations to assess fit. Fellows without a placement move to the Training Track.

Missed this cohort?

Applications for Autumn 2026 are closed — but the Policy Leaders Programme is open now, and our newsletter is the first place we announce new rounds.