A junior research fellowship for recent African graduates that combines ILINA’s spring seminar with a mentored research phase on AI and global catastrophic risks, offering governance and technical tracks.
Endorsements made here support ILINA Program.
A junior research fellowship for recent African graduates that combines ILINA’s spring seminar with a mentored research phase on AI and global catastrophic risks, offering governance and technical tracks.
Endorsements made here support ILINA Program.
Project Details
Updated 07/04/26 · Edited by orgFlagship annual seasonal fellowship run by ILINA Program to support talented Africans who are interested in AI x risk-related work.
People
Updated 07/04/26 · By grantmaking.aiTeam Member
Discussion
This project is greatly needed, and ILINA has a strong track record demonstrating its effectiveness. Many AI safety programs require prior experience, creating a barrier for talented people who have not yet had an opportunity to enter the field. As an application reviewer for a few of these programs, I've seen how initiatives like ILINA, which focus on underrepresented regions, can identify and support individuals with the talent and perspectives needed for more globally representative AI safety efforts. These programs provide opportunities that many promising candidates might not otherwise have access to.
Thank you so much for this, Pim! Super appreciate you using your important voice in this way.
Excited to recommend a $40,000 grant based on reviewers endorsements
Two quick questions:
- Did you receive funding from anywhere since submitting this application, or has the funding ask changed for any other reason?
- Please confirm your commitment to post quarterly updates on how the project is going.
Hi Anton,
This is awesome - thank you so much! That will go a long way indeed. On your questions:
- We haven't received any other funding on this application. Important: The application was also put on Lightcone Commons, and I entirely revised that application to request funding for other aspects of our 2026 - 2027 budget. This is because we have a larger unfunded budget for other kinds of work we hope to do in our 2026 - 2027 year and I thought Lightcone would be a good place to try and get our other plans funded.
- I confirm my commitment to doing that.
I endorse in principle opportunities to strengthen participation and inclusion in the global south - much of the AI safety focus is US, Europe / UK and China centred. I'm not familiar with your organisation, apart from what you've written here and what's on your website. For this reason, I'd give a qualified endorsement, subject to further enquiries:
I think it would be helpful to include your approximate budget - what share would you give to fellows as a stipend, what share would you use for travel for conferences and other overheads etc?
From your website, it seems like the fellowship is part-time - 7 hours per week for 3 months, then 20 hours per week for 4 months. So the benchmark of 'in line with the kinds of stipends that other x-risk fellowships give' may not be the most appropriate benchmark, if you're comparing full time fellowships with your part-time fellowship. (I'm leaving aside global wage equity questions, except to note that a part-time fellowship paying $12,000 for 7 months would signficantly exceed most local full-time salaries).
https://www.ilinaprogram.org/jrf
Hi Mark. Thanks a lot for the qualified endorsement, and for the further inquiries. Some responses follow below:
thank you for your quick response and this additional information - it gives a clearer picture of how you plan to run the fellowship this year and the budget allocation. Much appreciated.