The University of Oxford Visiting Fellowship in AI Ethics for 2026 is a special chance. It is for top scholars and professionals. You can spend a full academic term at one of the world’s most famous universities. The fellowship is run by the Institute for Ethics in AI. It is for researchers who have at least five years of experience after their PhD. It lets them study the ethical problems of artificial intelligence. Fellows will work with people from different fields of study. The benefits include free housing and paid airfare. Fellows also get access to Oxford’s academic community. You will join a global group of people who are helping to shape the future of ethical AI.
Oxford Visiting Fellowship Summary
| Country | United Kingdom |
| University | University of Oxford – Institute for Ethics in AI |
| Level | Visiting Research Fellowship |
| Duration | One academic term (8–12 weeks) |
| Coverage | Fully Funded |
| Deadline | 5 January 2026 |
About the Fellowship
The Institute for Ethics in AI is inside the Philosophy Faculty at Oxford. It looks at how AI changes jobs, privacy, fairness, war, health and more. Oxford is the oldest English-speaking university (started 1096) and always in the top 5 world rankings. You live in the city of Oxford, go to talks every week, meet professors and give your own presentation. Past fellows worked on bias in algorithms, AI in courts, robot rights and many other hot topics. After the term you stay in their network forever.
Also See: Newton International Fellowships 2026 in the UK
Fellowship Benefits
You do not pay for the main things.
- Free place to stay for up to nine weeks (single or family rooms).
- Economy flight from your country to UK and back.
- £500 cash for coffee meetings, events or small travel inside UK.
- Desk at the institute with printer and tea area.
- Full Oxford University card for all libraries (including the new Schwarzman building).
- Oxford email address and computer login.
- Join weekly seminars, workshops and big lectures.
- Chance to present your work to students and experts.
- Name on the institute website as visiting fellow. Many fellows publish new papers or get invited to bigger projects because of this time.
Eligibility Criteria
You must have:
- A finished PhD in AI, computer science, philosophy, law, engineering or similar.
- At least five years of real work after your PhD (research, teaching or industry).
- A clear project idea that fits AI ethics (for example fairness in AI, AI and human rights, safe AI systems).
- Time to live in Oxford the whole term without other big jobs.
- Good English to talk and write. They really want applications from women, people from the global south and other groups that are rare in AI ethics.
Required Documents
Only three things:
- Fill the short online form (asks about you, your project and when you can come).
- Email your CV (max 8 pages) to aiethics@philosophy.ox.ac.uk
- Email a clear copy of your passport photo page with the same email. Subject line must be: VISITING FELLOW APPLICATION That is all. No long research plan, no recommendation letters.
Also See: FASPE Fellowships 2026 for Professional Ethics
Deadline
- Applications open: 1 November 2025
- Last date: 5 January 2026, 5 PM GMT (Oxford time)
- Results: Usually March–April 2026
- Possible terms: October–December 2026 (Michaelmas) OR January–March 2027 (Hilary) OR April–June 2027 (Trinity) Send before the deadline because late emails are deleted.
How to Apply For Oxford Visiting Fellowship in AI Ethics
It is very simple.
- Check if you need a UK visa or ATAS certificate now (some countries need months).
- From 1 November 2025 go to the institute page and fill the online form.
- Send CV + passport copy by email the same day.
- You get a confirmation email in a few days.
- Wait for the committee to read everything.
- If you win they contact you to pick the term and book housing. They read all applications after 5 January and decide fast.