The Open Source AI Fellowship—organized by The Alan Turing Institute in partnership with the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and supported by Meta—offers a fully funded 12‑month placement beginning January 2026. Fellows are embedded within DSIT and contribute to high-impact public sector applications using open-source AI models like Meta’s Llama 3.5. The programme is backed by a $1 million grant and channels real-world AI innovation directly into government services.↚
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be employed by a UK-based organisation and hold legal UK work rights without sponsorship. They need at least five years of UK residency for security clearance and must have a contract extending beyond the fellowship. Candidates should hold a PhD or equivalent experience in AI, machine learning, data science, or secure systems engineering, and demonstrate a proven track record of delivering complex AI systems.
Fellowship Benefits
Salary costs are fully reimbursed up to £85,000 per annum. Fellows receive a hybrid placement (office + remote) at DSIT, mentorship from Turing Institute experts, and the opportunity to create open-source AI tools addressing public needs—such as secure document assistants, legal-tech trained on UK law, or offline crisis AI solutions. Contributions are made publicly available, enhancing transparency and impact.
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About the Organisers
The Alan Turing Institute serves as the UK’s national centre for data science and AI, founded in 2015 and supported by major UK academic institutions. DSIT is the central UK government body for science and technology policy. This fellowship reflects the UK’s strategy to build sovereign AI capabilities and reduce reliance on closed proprietary systems.
Tips for a Winning Application
Start conversations early with your employer to confirm secondment support and contract duration. Showcase previous project delivery in AI systems through a portfolio or technical CV. Propose a feasible, high-impact open-source use case aligned with public priorities (e.g., offline emergency AI or planning tools for housing). Secure references and employer endorsement. Prepare clearly written motivation and project statements, and polish your application before mid‑August submission.
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How to Apply
The application window opens on 14 July 2025 and closes at midday BST on 18 August 2025. Interested applicants should register via the Turing’s Flexi‑Grant portal and submit a profile including CV, project proposal, and employer support documentation. Selection involves vetting by Turing, DSIT, and Meta. Final placements commence in January 2026