Constellation Astra Strategy and Governance Fellowship 2026–2027 | $8,400 Monthly Stipend | Fully Funded AI Safety Research Fellowship in the USA

Constellation Astra Strategy and Governance Fellowship 2026–2027 is a fully funded, in-person research fellowship for talented researchers interested in reducing catastrophic risks from artificial intelligence (AI). The fellowship offers a monthly stipend of $8,400, a $2,000 travel budget, senior expert mentorship, and opportunities to develop research projects in AI safety.

The Astra Fellowship Strategy and Governance Stream is designed for applicants with strong familiarity with catastrophic AI risks, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work independently on complex and difficult research problems.

The program runs from September 2026 to February 2027, with the primary research location at Constellation Institute in Berkeley, California, USA.

If you are searching for AI safety fellowships, fully funded research fellowships, AI governance fellowships, or international research opportunities, the Constellation Astra Fellowship 2026–2027 is an opportunity to explore.

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Constellation Astra Fellowship 2026–2027 Overview

Fellowship Details	Information
Fellowship Name	Astra Fellowship Strategy and Governance Stream
Organization	Constellation Institute
Fellowship Year	2026–2027
Research Field	AI Safety, Strategy and Governance
Program Type	Fully Funded Research Fellowship
Program Duration	September 2026 – February 2027
Time Commitment	Full-time
Monthly Stipend	$8,400
Travel Budget	$2,000
Primary Location	Berkeley, California, USA
UK Research Hub	London Initiative for Safe AI (LISA)
Work Mode	In-person; rare remote options considered
Mentorship	Weekly meetings with a senior expert
Research Management	Weekly meetings with a research manager
Application Status	Expression of interest for future cohort notifications

Important: The information provided describes the September 2026–February 2027 program. The official page asks interested applicants to complete an expression of interest form to be notified when the next cohort launches. The exact next cohort application deadline is not provided in the supplied information.

About Constellation Institute

Constellation Institute is an organization focused on AI safety research, talent development, and the reduction of catastrophic risks from artificial intelligence.

Through its Astra Fellowship, Constellation connects talented fellows with senior mentors and research managers to support important work in AI safety.

The organization provides a research environment where fellows can work on difficult questions related to AI strategy, governance, policy, and the future of advanced artificial intelligence.

The Constellation Institute network includes researchers, experts, and organizations working on AI safety. Fellows also have opportunities to participate in seminars, workshops, shared meals, and professional networking activities.

What Is the Astra Fellowship Strategy and Governance Stream?

The Astra Fellowship Strategy and Governance Stream is a specialized AI safety research fellowship for individuals who want to work on strategic and governance questions related to advanced AI.

The program pairs fellows with experienced mentors who guide their research projects. Most fellows work on topics connected to their mentor’s research priorities.

The fellowship focuses on applicants who:

• Understand catastrophic risks from AI.
• Can reason clearly about complex issues.
• Are highly motivated and able to work autonomously.
• Can develop and pursue research agendas.
• Have relevant experience in strategy, policy, AI research, or related fields.

The Astra Fellowship Strategy and Governance Stream is especially suitable for researchers who want to contribute to the development of effective AI safety strategies and governance approaches.

What Do Astra Fellows Work On?

Astra fellows conduct research on topics that could help reduce catastrophic risks from AI.

Most fellows work with a mentor on research related to the mentor’s priorities. Mentor organizations listed in the program information include Forethought, AI Policy Network, and Coefficient Giving.

The fellowship also works with independent mentors who are developing new organizations or exploring novel AI safety research directions.

Research Areas Supported by the Fellowship

The Strategy and Governance Stream is particularly interested in research related to:

1. Macrostrategy for AI Safety

Macrostrategy for AI safety involves thinking about broad, long-term strategies for reducing risks from advanced artificial intelligence.

Fellows may explore how governments, organizations, and other stakeholders can coordinate efforts to improve AI safety.

2. Prevention of Concentration of Power

Research may focus on how to prevent excessive concentration of power in the hands of governments, companies, or other actors as AI capabilities advance.

3. Better-Futures Scenarios

The fellowship supports research exploring possible positive futures and how society can move toward beneficial outcomes as AI develops.

4. AI Strategy Implementation

Fellows may work on applying AI safety strategy within governments or frontier AI companies.

5. Independent Strategy Research

A small number of fellows may pursue independent strategy research on topics considered exceptionally important in AI safety.

The program has a high bar for accepting applicants who want to conduct independent strategy research.

Astra Fellowship 2026–2027 Salary and Benefits

The Constellation Astra Fellowship provides financial support and professional development opportunities for successful fellows.

$8,400 Monthly Stipend

Selected fellows receive $8,400 per month for the duration of the program.

Based on the stated six-month program period, this would equal $50,400 if the stipend is paid for all six months. The supplied information does not clarify the exact payment schedule or any deductions.

$2,000 Travel Budget

Fellows receive a travel budget of $2,000 to attend relevant workshops and conferences.

This support can help fellows participate in professional events connected to AI safety research and governance.

Weekly Senior Expert Mentorship

Astra fellows meet weekly with a senior expert in the field.

This mentorship provides an opportunity to receive guidance on research ideas, strategy development, and important AI safety questions.

Weekly Research Management

Fellows also have weekly meetings with a research manager.

Research management support can help fellows organize their projects, develop research agendas, and make progress on complex work.

Career Support

The fellowship includes a talent mobilization team that supports fellows transitioning into full-time roles after the fellowship.

This is particularly valuable for individuals seeking careers in AI safety, AI governance, policy, or strategic research.

Startup Incubation Services

Fellows launching new projects or organizations may receive operational and financial support through Constellation’s incubation services.

The supplied information lists support in areas such as:

• Business operations.
• Communications.
• Hiring.
• Fundraising.
• Financial and operational support.

AI Safety Community and Network

Astra fellows gain access to a major AI safety convening space, including:

• 300+ weekly visits from experts in the field, according to the program description.
• Shared meals.
• Weekly seminars.
• Workshops.
• Professional networking opportunities.

The program does not state that every fellow will meet all visiting experts or attend every activity.

Astra Fellowship Location and Work Mode

The primary location for the Astra Fellowship Strategy and Governance Stream is:

Constellation Institute, Berkeley, California, USA.

The fellowship is designed to be completed in person.

A secondary research hub is available for UK-based fellows at the London Initiative for Safe AI (LISA).

The program also states that remote options may be considered in rare cases. Remote participation is therefore not guaranteed and should not be assumed to be available to all applicants.

Visa Support for International Applicants

The Astra Fellowship provides support for certain visa pathways.

The program information lists support for:

• J-1 visa.
• F-1 / CPT, full-time only.
• OPT.

DSO approval is required where applicable.

International applicants should confirm their eligibility, visa requirements, and any necessary university or designated school official approval before making travel arrangements.

The supplied information does not specify whether visa fees, flights, accommodation, or other relocation costs are covered.

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Who Should Apply for the Astra Fellowship?

The Constellation Astra Fellowship Strategy and Governance Stream is intended for applicants with strong knowledge of AI safety and the ability to conduct challenging research.

The strongest applicants are expected to have:

• Deep familiarity with catastrophic risks from AI.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to reason about complex issues.
• A high level of independence.
• The ability to work on difficult and unscoped problems.

Applicants should be comfortable developing research ideas, identifying important questions, and pursuing solutions with limited supervision.

Preferred Qualifications for the Astra Fellowship

The program lists several preferred qualifications.

Experience in Macrostrategy Research or Grantmaking

Experience in macrostrategy research, grantmaking, or equivalent work involving cause prioritization is valuable.

This may include experience evaluating important problems, deciding where resources should be directed, or developing strategic approaches to large-scale challenges.

Ability to Set and Pursue Research Agendas

Applicants should be capable of identifying research questions and developing a plan to investigate them.

The ability to pursue a research agenda independently is especially important for applicants interested in strategy research.

Complementary Career Experience

Experience in a related field can strengthen an application.

Examples include:

• AI policy.
• Empirical AI research.
• Strategic research.
• Governance.
• Related technical or policy domains.

Understanding of AI Ecosystem Stakeholders

Applicants should have a strong understanding of important stakeholders in the AI ecosystem.

These may include:

• Frontier AI companies.
• Governments.
• Investors.
• AI safety organizations.
• Policy institutions.

The program does not state that every applicant must have experience in all these areas.

How Competitive Is the Astra Fellowship?

The Astra Fellowship Strategy and Governance Stream is a specialized and potentially competitive research opportunity.

The program states that it has a high bar for applicants pursuing independent strategy research.

The supplied information also reports that over 80% of Astra’s first cohort are now working full-time in AI safety roles.

This indicates that the program has a strong focus on developing AI safety talent. However, the statistic is a program-reported outcome and should not be interpreted as a guarantee of employment for future fellows.

Applicants can improve their readiness by demonstrating relevant research experience, clear writing, strong reasoning, and a well-developed understanding of AI safety.

Application Requirements for the Astra Fellowship

The program lists the following application materials.

1. Resume

Applicants should prepare a resume that clearly presents their academic background, work experience, research projects, and relevant achievements.

A strong resume should highlight experience related to AI safety, strategy, governance, policy, or other complementary fields.

2. References

Applicants must provide at least two references.

The program encourages applicants to include a reference who is part of the Constellation network when possible.

Applicants should choose references who can speak about their research ability, communication skills, independence, and suitability for the fellowship.

3. Written Samples

Links to written samples are highly recommended.

Examples may include:

• Blog posts.
• Published papers.
• Research reports.
• Policy analysis.
• Strategy documents.
• Other relevant research writing.

Written samples can help demonstrate an applicant’s ability to communicate clearly and reason through difficult questions.

Astra Fellowship Application Process

The supplied program information outlines a three-stage application process.

Stage 1: Initial Application Screening

Applications are reviewed to assess whether applicants meet the program’s expectations.

The screening may consider relevant experience, familiarity with AI safety, research ability, and overall suitability.

Stage 2: Mentor-Specific Screening

Shortlisted applicants may proceed to mentor-specific screening.

This may include:

• Work tests.
• Requests for writing samples.
• Referral checks.
• Other mentor-specific assessments.

The exact assessment depends on the mentor and research opportunity.

Stage 3: Interview

Applicants who progress through the earlier stages may be invited to an interview.

The supplied information does not specify the interview format, number of interviews, or exact interview questions.

How to Prepare a Strong Astra Fellowship Application

If you are interested in the Astra Fellowship Strategy and Governance Stream, preparation is important.

Improve Your AI Safety Knowledge

Study the major risks associated with advanced AI.

Understand key AI safety concepts, governance challenges, and strategic questions affecting the development of powerful AI systems.

Build a Research Portfolio

Develop writing samples that demonstrate your ability to investigate difficult problems.

A strong portfolio could include research reports, policy analysis, or well-structured essays on AI safety.

Demonstrate Independent Thinking

The fellowship seeks people who can work on difficult and unscoped problems.

Show how you have identified important questions, developed solutions, and pursued projects independently.

Highlight Relevant Experience

Include experience in:

• AI policy.
• Research.
• Strategy.
• Governance.
• Grantmaking.
• Cause prioritization.
• Technical AI work.

Only include experience you genuinely possess.

Prepare Strong References

Choose references who know your work and can provide meaningful evidence of your abilities.

Where possible, select references who understand research, AI safety, policy, or related fields.

Career Opportunities After the Astra Fellowship

The Astra Fellowship is designed to support fellows who want to pursue careers in AI safety.

Potential career directions may include:

• AI safety research.
• AI governance.
• AI policy.
• Strategy research.
• Research management.
• AI risk analysis.
• Work within AI safety organizations.
• Research-focused projects and startups.

The program provides career support for fellows transitioning into full-time roles after the fellowship.

However, the fellowship does not guarantee employment or a specific career outcome.

Previous Astra Fellowship Outcomes

According to the supplied program description, over 80% of the first cohort are now working full-time in AI safety roles.

Previous Strategy and Governance fellows have accomplished work such as:

• Co-founding the AI Futures Project, whose authors include contributors to AI 2027.
• Briefing senior international stakeholders on AI verification.
• Contextualizing trends in AI progress.

These examples illustrate the types of research and strategic work associated with the program.

Is the Astra Fellowship Fully Funded?

Yes. The program describes Astra as a fully funded, in-person fellowship.

The stated financial support includes:

• $8,400 monthly stipend.
• $2,000 travel budget.
• Mentorship.
• Research management.
• Career support.
• Access to the AI safety community.

The supplied information does not provide a complete breakdown of accommodation, flights, insurance, visa fees, or other personal expenses. Applicants should confirm what is covered before accepting an offer.

Is the Astra Fellowship Open to International Applicants?

The program provides visa support for eligible applicants using certain visa pathways, including J-1 and F-1/CPT or OPT arrangements where applicable.

This suggests that international applicants may be considered.

However, the program does not provide a complete list of eligible nationalities or confirm that every international applicant qualifies for visa support.

Applicants should review the official information and confirm their specific circumstances.

Astra Fellowship 2026–2027 Expression of Interest

The supplied official program page asks interested applicants to complete an expression of interest form to be notified when the next cohort launches.

Expression of interest: Register your interest

Applicants should use the official Constellation website to confirm the current application status, cohort dates, requirements, and any updated deadlines.

Official Application Information

For the most accurate information about the Constellation Astra Fellowship Strategy and Governance Stream, visit the official sources below.

Final Thoughts

The Constellation Astra Fellowship Strategy and Governance Stream 2026–2027 is a valuable opportunity for researchers interested in AI safety, strategy, and governance.

With a stated monthly stipend of $8,400, a $2,000 travel budget, senior expert mentorship, research management, and career support, the fellowship offers an environment for developing important research skills.

The program is especially suitable for applicants who understand catastrophic AI risks, communicate clearly, work independently, and can pursue difficult research questions.

If you are searching for fully funded AI safety fellowships, AI governance research opportunities, international fellowships, or research fellowships in the USA, the Astra Fellowship is worth exploring.