The Surge AI Research Fellowship Program 2026 (Open Globally)

About the Program

The Surge AI Research Fellowship represents a pioneering initiative to advance artificial intelligence through uncompromising academic rigor and human-centered evaluation. This fellowship program brings together leading scholars to ensure AI systems meet the highest standards of safety, accuracy, and scholarly excellence.

The Surge AI Research Fellowship focuses on bridging the gap between AI capabilities and the demanding requirements of academic research. Fellows work at the intersection of cutting-edge AI development and rigorous academic methodology, helping to shape Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) with the depth, curiosity, and brilliance characteristic of human intelligence.

Currently, the Surge AI Research Fellowship concentrates its efforts in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), where precision and depth of understanding are paramount to advancing AI systems that can truly support frontier research.

Eligibility Requirements

The Surge AI Research Fellowship seeks the world’s brightest minds to lead this critical work. To qualify for the fellowship program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Academic Qualifications

• PhD-level experts or PhD-stage specialists across all disciplines
• Leading scholars and practitioners with demonstrated expertise in their fields
• Strong background in rigorous research methodology

Geographic Requirements

• Open globally – applications welcomed from anywhere in the world
• No location restrictions or relocation required

Collaborative Excellence

Fellows join an elite network of researchers from premier institutions including Harvard, MIT, Cambridge, and Columbia, working together to advance AI evaluation and development.

Benefits

The Surge AI Research Fellowship offers exceptional benefits designed to integrate seamlessly with your existing professional commitments:

Compensation and Flexibility

• Competitive hourly pay that recognizes your expertise
• Full schedule autonomy – set your own working hours
• Non-exclusive arrangement – the fellowship complements rather than replaces your current scholarly or professional commitments
• No exclusivity requirements, allowing you to balance multiple responsibilities

Impact and Access

• Contribute to high-profile, deeply impactful projects available exclusively to fellowship participants
• Access to the most sought-after research challenges on the Surge AI platform
• Work on projects at the frontier of AI development and evaluation

Professional Development

• Direct collaboration with Surge AI leadership team
• Your feedback is not only welcomed but essential to program direction
• Join an elite community of researchers shaping the future of AI

Application Guidelines

Applying for the Surge AI Research Fellowship is straightforward and designed to respect your time:

Timeline

• Application Deadline: Ongoing – applications accepted on a rolling basis
• Review process begins immediately upon submission
• No fixed cohort start dates, allowing flexible onboarding

Application Requirements

The fellowship program seeks scholars who can:

1. Systematically identify limitations and failure modes of current AI systems
2. Design rigorous challenges to probe AI system boundaries
3. Collaborate closely with leadership to propose improvement strategies
4. Maintain the highest standards of academic rigor in evaluation work

Required Documents

To complete your Surge AI Research Fellowship application, prepare the following materials:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
   • Complete academic and professional history
   • Publications and research contributions
   • Relevant expertise and specializations
2. Work Samples (if applicable)
   • Research papers or publications
   • Examples of rigorous evaluation methodologies
   • Any materials demonstrating your approach to critical analysis
3. Email Expression of Interest
   • Brief statement of interest in the fellowship
   • Overview of relevant expertise
   • How you envision contributing to AI evaluation

Program Structure and Duration

The Surge AI Research Fellowship offers a flexible structure designed for working scholars:

Core Responsibilities

As a fellow in this research fellowship, you will:

• Evaluate and test advanced AI systems against rigorous academic standards
• Identify edge cases and failure modes in AI reasoning
• Design challenging benchmarks that probe system capabilities
• Provide detailed feedback to guide model development
• Collaborate with fellow researchers and Surge AI leadership

Flexible Engagement

• Hours: Set your own schedule based on availability
• Duration: Ongoing fellowship with no fixed end date
• Commitment Level: Scalable based on your other professional obligations
• Work Mode: Remote, from anywhere in the world

Why You Should Apply

The Surge AI Research Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of artificial intelligence:

Leading the Frontier

• Work at the cutting edge of AI development where your expertise directly influences AGI advancement
• Contribute to ensuring AI systems are both safe and capable of supporting frontier research
• Help raise the standards for AI evaluation and testing methodologies

Ideal for Researchers

• Maintain your current academic or professional position
• Gain access to state-of-the-art AI systems for evaluation
• Collaborate with top-tier researchers from leading institutions
• Flexible arrangement that respects your existing commitments

Meaningful Impact

As noted by fellowship participants, cooperation between human experts and AI represents the future of research. This fellowship program enables you to guide that development, ensuring models meet the rigorous standards required for advancing human knowledge.

How to Apply

Ready to join the Surge AI Research Fellowship? Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Verify you meet the fellowship requirements:

• PhD-level or PhD-stage specialist
• Leading scholar or practitioner in your field
• Commitment to rigorous research standards

Step 2: Prepare Your Materials

Gather your required documents:

• Current CV
• Relevant work samples (optional but recommended)
• Brief statement of interest

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Email your materials to the research team at: researchfellows@surgehq.ai

Include “Surge AI Research Fellowship Application” in your subject line and briefly introduce yourself and your interest in the program.

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The Surge AI Research Fellowship is currently accepting applications on an ongoing basis. Join an elite team of scholars ensuring that artificial intelligence advances with the rigor, safety, and quality that frontier research demands.

Click here to apply.

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