The Childhood & AI Lab invites emerging researchers and practitioners to apply for its flagship Fellowship program — a unique opportunity to dive into pioneering work at the intersection of childhood, human development, and artificial intelligence.
Program Mission & Scope
The Fellowship aims to cultivate the next generation of innovators who will shape how AI meets childhood research. Fellows engage with cutting-edge topics including developmental science, computational modelling, ethical AI, and data-driven child-centred design. The Fellowship emphasises interdisciplinary thinking: bringing together insights from psychology, education, neuroscience, computer science and social policy.
What Fellows Will Do
Selected Fellows become part of a cohort spanning multiple institutions and geographies. Over the course of the programme, each Fellow will:
- Conduct a self-designed research or practice-based project aligned with the Lab’s agenda.
- Receive regular mentoring and peer-collaboration opportunities.
- Engage with the Lab’s curriculum on topics such as AI ethics, developmental trajectories, data governance, and translational impact.
- Present outcomes to an international network of academic and industry partners, contributing to both global knowledge and practical innovation.
Eligibility & Selection
The programme welcomes advanced-level researchers, early-career professionals or practitioners who demonstrate both strong foundational expertise and a passion for advancing childhood & AI scholarship. Applicants should show evidence of analytic, conceptual and applied strength, plus readiness to collaborate across disciplines and sectors.
Duration, Support & Impact
Fellows typically engage in the programme over a defined term, working remotely and/or in-residence depending on project needs. They receive structured support (mentorship, curriculum access, networks) and work toward outputs that include research findings, applied tools or policy-relevant insights. By participating in this Fellowship, Fellows deepen their expertise, expand their professional networks, and contribute to shaping how AI technologies may enhance childhood outcomes in safe, responsible and effective ways.
Why This Matters
As AI continues to evolve, its implications for children – in learning, development, safety, and well-being – become ever more important. This Fellowship sits at the frontier of that challenge. It enables talented individuals to not only engage with the big questions (how should AI be developed for children?) but also to deliver practical work (what design principles, evidence frameworks or governance models should apply?). In doing so, the Childhood & AI Lab Fellowship is building a cadre of thought leaders ready for the next wave of innovation in childhood and technology.
How to Apply
- Prospective Fellows should visit the Lab’s website for details of the application timeline, eligibility criteria, required materials
- Project proposal
- CV, references
- and selection process.
- Applications are reviewed by a multidisciplinary committee and shortlisted candidates may be invited for interviews. Successful applicants join the next Fellow cohort and embark on a year of exploration, inquiry and impact.
FundsDigest.com thanks the Childhood & AI Lab for its commitment to future-centred research and innovation.
