Apply for the Google AI Policy Research Fellowship 2026 — a free 2-month virtual program with an international certificate. Deadline: April 30, 2026. Open to students across India and South Asia.
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What Is the Google AI Policy Research Fellowship 2026?
The AI Policy Research Fellowship 2026 is an international research programme designed for students and professionals who want to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, public policy, law, and ethics. It is structured as a two-month virtual programme requiring approximately 8 to 10 hours of commitment per week.
The fellowship is not a passive online course. It involves guided research, mentorship sessions with academic and industry experts, peer-review forums, and the submission of a policy paper or research brief. Fellows who complete the programme receive an internationally recognised fellowship certificate issued jointly by Google for Education and the Data and Society Research Institute.
Duration
2 Months
Mode
Virtual
Time per week
8–10 Hours
Certificate
Free, Internationally Recognised
Fee
No Fee Mentioned
Start Date
May 18, 2026
Objectives of the Google AI Policy Research Fellowship 2026
The Fellowship is designed to achieve the following objectives:
To promote high-quality, policy-oriented research in Artificial Intelligence
To bridge the gap between technology, law, governance, and society
To develop innovative regulatory and policy frameworks for AI
To encourage comparative and interdisciplinary research approaches
To strengthen global academic collaboration and policy engagement
To prepare participants for leadership roles in AI governance, public policy, and digital regulation
Who Can Apply for This AI Policy Research Fellowship 2026 for Students?
The fellowship is designed to bring together a diverse cohort of scholars, policymakers, technologists, and professionals. It welcomes applications from undergraduate and postgraduate students, research scholars, faculty members, legal professionals, policy analysts, and working professionals across South Asia and beyond.
There is no strict requirement for prior research experience, making this a genuine Google fellowship without an experience barrier for freshers and early-stage students. What matters most is academic curiosity, a clear research interest, and the ability to communicate it in a Statement of Purpose of up to 100 words, which is submitted along with the application form.
This fellowship is especially useful for Indian students in law, political science, computer science, economics, public administration, and social sciences who want to build a credible research profile in the growing field of AI governance.
Thematic Areas: What Will You Research?
The programme covers a remarkably wide range of topics under the broader umbrella of AI policy research for students. Applicants can choose from the following areas:
Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and responsible AI development
AI law, ethics, algorithmic accountability, and data protection
AI for social good, healthcare, education, and climate sustainability
Data governance, platform economies, and digital infrastructure
Intellectual property rights in AI-generated works
AI and the future of work, automation, and labour markets
AI, democracy, misinformation, and deepfake governance
AI in education, academic research, and knowledge systems
Autonomous weapons, national security, and strategic AI
Indigenous knowledge, cultural bias in AI models, and Global South epistemologies
This breadth of themes reflects the genuine scope of AI ethics and governance training that the fellowship aims to provide — it is not limited to technical students alone.
Three-Phase Structure: What Does the Programme Look Like?
The fellowship runs across three structured phases over eight weeks.
Phase 1 — Orientation and Academic Foundation (Week 1)
The opening week introduces fellows to AI governance frameworks, research methodologies, academic writing, and policy drafting through expert lectures and workshops.
Phase 2 — Guided Research and Mentorship (Weeks 2 to 6)
This is the core of the programme. Fellows work on their research papers or policy briefs under expert supervision, participate in weekly mentorship sessions, and engage in peer-review discussions. Progress reports are submitted periodically.
Phase 3 — Policy Output and Dissemination (Weeks 7 to 8)
The final phase involves submission of the completed research paper, expert evaluation, and a presentation before an academic and policy panel. Fellows also participate in a national or international AI policy roundtable.
What Do Selected Fellows Receive?
Beyond the learning experience, this 2-month virtual internship with certificate offers several tangible benefits that make it valuable for a resume in 2026:
Internationally recognised fellowship certificate issued by Google for Education and the Data and Society Research Institute
Publication in an edited volume titled “AI in South Asia: Shaping Intelligence for Inclusive Futures” with ISBN 978-81-998939-1-7, to be distributed across 15 nations
Merit distinction for the top three performing fellows
Excellence in AI Policy Innovation Award for outstanding policy solutions
Structured mentorship from leading academicians, legal scholars, and AI practitioners
Letter of Recommendation from CDIPR for exceptional fellows
Networking access to global think tanks, international organisations, and technology leaders
About the Organising Body: CDIPR and the SAAI Conclave 2026
The Centre for Development of Intellectual Property and Research (CDIPR) is India’s first non-governmental research organisation dedicated to intellectual property rights. It operates under the Naovina Development of Intellectual Property and Research Foundation and connects over 2,200 members and 12,300 global academicians working on intellectual property issues.
The AI Policy Research Fellowship 2026 is being organised as part of the broader South Asian Artificial Intelligence (SAAI) Conclave 2026, a platform that has previously seen participation from over 65 countries and 120 institutions worldwide. Research outputs from the fellowship will be presented and deliberated during the Conclave, giving fellows genuine exposure to international policy discourse.
Application Timeline: Key Dates to Remember
April 30, 2026
Application deadline — submit the online form along with your Statement of Purpose (max. 100 words)
May 2, 2026
Screening and shortlisting of applicants based on academic background and research aptitude
May 3, 2026
Shortlisted applicants notified via email
May 5, 2026
Final list of selected fellows published on official platforms
May 18, 2026
Fellowship commencement
Why This Fellowship Matters for Students in India?
For Indian students pursuing careers at the intersection of technology, law, and public policy, the AI Policy Research Fellowship 2026 fills an important gap. Most internships and entry-level roles in tech policy require demonstrated research exposure — which is difficult to acquire without formal programmes.
This fellowship offers exactly that: a structured, mentored, internationally validated research experience, delivered entirely online, with a free certificate on completion. It is among the few Google AI research programs for freshers that does not require prior work experience or existing publications.
Whether you are preparing for a career in government advisory, legal practice, academic research, or a technology company’s policy team, the skills developed here — policy analysis, research writing, governance frameworks — are directly applicable and increasingly in demand.
How to Apply for the Google AI Fellowship Online?
To Apply for the Deloitte Data Analytics Internship 2026, Check the links below
Deloitte Data Analytics Internship 2026 Official Website – https://cdn.lawctopus.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AI-Policy-Research-Fellowship-2026.pdf
Apply Link for Deloitte Data Analytics Internship 2026 – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScVp6OI4hsh6560L3ewjgBFknQ1Ad4ByE0L-e24QVf0Zub4Kw/viewform
Conclusion
The AI Policy Research Fellowship 2026 is a rare opportunity that combines academic rigour with practical policy exposure, all within a free, virtual format. With Google for Education’s certification and the fellowship’s linkage to an international conclave, it carries real credibility for any student’s academic and professional profile.
If AI governance, digital regulation, or public policy and technology careers are part of your long-term plan, this is a programme worth applying to seriously. The deadline is April 30, 2026, and seats are subject to a competitive shortlisting process.
Apply early, prepare your Statement of Purpose carefully, and use this as your first step into the growing field of AI ethics and governance.
