Humanitas
Fellowship
Independent research in AI safety,
human rights, and human security.
AI safety · Human rights · Human security
The Humanitas Fellowship supports researchers studying the human consequences of AI. Projects draw on law, history, policy, social science, and technology.
Fellows pursue an independent research project over eight months, with mentoring and feedback from Syntony.
- Duration
- Eight months
- Approach
- Independent research
- Intended outcome
- Original, publishable research
Research areas
Projects should address a focused question in one or more of the areas below. Fellows agree the question, methods, and intended output with Syntony at the start of the fellowship.
Human rights
How do AI systems affect dignity, agency, equality, and access to remedy? Research could examine harms to vulnerable populations and practical ways to protect their rights.
International
humanitarian lawWhat does responsible AI use require in armed conflict? Examine accountability, civilian protection, and the implications of increasingly capable systems for humanitarian safeguards.
Survivor testimony
& archival integrityHow can testimony remain authentic, attributable, and faithful to the people whose experiences it preserves? Explore provenance, consent, preservation, and responsible uses of AI in archives.
AI misuse
Investigate how AI could enable coercion, abuse, terrorism, or other high-consequence misuse, and which safeguards could reduce those risks.
Synthetic media
& information integrityHow can people assess provenance, verify evidence, and preserve trust as synthetic content becomes more capable? Study disinformation, impersonation, and the reliability of the public record.
Catastrophic risks
Examine pathways from emerging AI capabilities to widespread or existential harm, and where prevention, preparedness, and institutional coordination could make a difference.
Governance
& human securityHow can institutions turn evidence about AI risk into accountable decisions? Explore international security, governance, and the protection of people and communities.
Fellowship structure
The fellowship combines independent research with mentoring, feedback, and collaboration. Each fellow works toward an original paper, policy analysis, methodological study, or other substantive research output.
Your research project
You will develop a research question, agree a feasible scope and milestones, and carry out the work independently. Research should be intended for publication, with its methods, findings, and limitations clearly explained.
Mentoring and review sessions support the project as it develops. The research plan and arrangements for supervision are agreed at the outset.
Explore Syntony’s research and insights- A modest research stipend
- A modest stipend supports independent research over the full eight-month term. The amount and payment schedule are confirmed in the written offer before you accept.
- Flexible, agreed scope
- Projects and milestones are agreed individually. The fellowship has no fixed weekly hours requirement.
- Remote collaboration
- The fellowship is remote. International participation depends on applicable legal requirements and individual eligibility.
- Clear research and publication terms
- Authorship, attribution, confidentiality, intellectual property, and publication plans are agreed in writing at the outset. Research involving people or sensitive testimony requires appropriate consent and safeguards.
- Commercial work paid separately
- Client delivery and commissioned commercial work require a separate paid agreement. They are not required in exchange for the research stipend. Additional paid work is not guaranteed.
Who should apply
We welcome applicants with relevant research or practical experience in law, policy, history, archival practice, international security, the humanities, social sciences, or technical fields.
What we look for
A focused research question, evidence of careful analysis, and clear written communication. Your application should explain why the question matters for AI safety and how you would investigate it.
Relevant work can include academic research, policy analysis, archival practice, technical investigations, or professional experience.
Find the right program
Humanitas focuses on interdisciplinary inquiry into rights, institutions, evidence, and human security. Syntony’s Engineering Fellowship focuses on technical research and research engineering for graduate students and those who have completed graduate study.
How to apply
Email your CV or a summary of your experience, a short research proposal, a relevant writing or work sample, and your availability. The proposal should describe your question, approach, and intended output.
Apply by emailSend your application to hello@syntonyresearch.ai. You can also contact us with questions about project fit or participation.