Impact AI Fellowship 2027 in Germany: Fully Funded Opportunity Offers €5,000 Stipend

The 10-week fellowship invites researchers, journalists and professionals to examine AI’s impact on society, sustainability and the public interest. Applications close on January 15, 2027.

Applications are open for the Impact AI Fellowship 2027 in Germany, a fully funded programme organised by the Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG). The 10-week fellowship will run from August 16 to October 22, 2027, offering professionals an opportunity to investigate the social, environmental and public-interest implications of artificial intelligence.

Based in Berlin, the programme combines in-person sessions with a research phase that allows participants to work remotely. There is no application fee.

Impact AI Fellowship 2027: Benefits

Selected fellows will receive a financial package covering key expenses associated with participation. The benefits include:

• Stipend: €5,000 per participant
• Travel: Costs of travelling to and from Germany
• Accommodation: Provided for the fellowship

The programme is designed to help participants assess how AI systems operate in real-world settings and understand their wider consequences.

What will fellows do?

Participants will learn and apply the Impact AI Method, a structured framework for evaluating the effects of artificial intelligence applications. Each fellow will assess a real-world AI project, examining its intended benefits alongside its potential implications for society, environmental sustainability and the public interest.

The fellowship aims to encourage a more comprehensive understanding of AI beyond its technical capabilities, including questions about accountability, social impact and sustainability.

Who can apply?

The fellowship welcomes applications from university researchers, academics, journalists, science communicators, civil society professionals, NGO employees, public-sector workers and professionals working in companies connected with AI, sustainability or the public interest.

Applicants should hold a master’s degree and demonstrate a strong research interest. Relevant professional experience can strengthen an application, but an established academic publication record is not mandatory.

How to apply

Interested candidates must complete the official online application form and submit the required documents in a single file, following the programme’s application instructions.

Application deadline: January 15, 2027

Applicants should consult the official HIIG website for the complete eligibility criteria, document requirements and application procedure before submitting their applications.