Open Source UK AI Fellowship 2025 – Fully Funded 12-Month Program

The Alan Turing Institute, in partnership with the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and Meta, invites applications for the Open Source UK AI Fellowship 2025. This fully funded 12-month fellowship offers researchers and technologists a unique opportunity to work on high-impact AI projects for the public sector while contributing to the open-source ecosystem.

This prestigious program places fellows inside DSIT’s Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (i.AI), enabling them to develop real-world AI solutions for sectors such as national security, public health, and digital governance.

Host Country: United Kingdom
Fellowship Duration: 12 Months
Start Date: January 2026
Application Deadline: August 18, 2025
Status: Open
Funding Type: Fully Funded
Fellowship Level: Professional / Research Fellowship

Fellowship Focus Areas

Fellows will work on open-source solutions in areas including:

• AI Assistants for Sensitive Documents: On-site document processing for national security

• Legal AI Tools: AI systems trained on UK legal datasets

• Offline AI for Crisis Response: AI tools for the NHS and emergency services during outages

• Public Policy and Governance AI: Data-driven support tools for government decision-making

Eligible Fields of Study

Applicants should have expertise in one or more of the following:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Data Science

• Machine Learning

• Secure Systems Engineering

• Computer Science

• Open Source Software Development

• Related technical fields

Fellowship Benefits

• Duration: 12 months (starting January 2026)

• Salary Reimbursement: Up to £85,000 per annum

• Host Institutions: The Alan Turing Institute, DSIT, and i.AI

• Work Mode: Hybrid – part remote, part in-person at DSIT

• Impact: Contribute to national-level open-source AI solutions

• Visibility: High-profile collaboration across government and academia

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Open Source UK AI Fellowship 2025, applicants must:

• Be legally eligible to work in the UK (no sponsorship provided)

• Have resided in the UK for at least 5 years (Security Check required)

• Be employed by a UK-based organization (secondment required)

• Hold a PhD or have equivalent professional experience in AI or a related discipline

• Have employer support for a 12-month secondment to DSIT

• Possess strong technical and problem-solving skills in AI system design and deployment

Application Timeline

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted through the Alan Turing Institute’s official application portal. Applicants should prepare a CV, cover letter, and details of employer support.

Why Apply?

This fellowship is a rare opportunity for AI experts in the UK to:

• Collaborate on mission-critical public sector AI initiatives

• Build their research and leadership profile

• Contribute to the global open-source AI community

• Join an elite network of AI researchers, government leaders, and innovators

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can apply for the Open Source UK AI Fellowship?
UK-based professionals with AI experience, a PhD or equivalent expertise, and at least 5 years of UK residency can apply.

2. Can international students or researchers apply?
Applicants must already be residing in the UK with the legal right to work; the program does not offer visa sponsorship.

3. What’s the salary structure?
The program reimburses the fellow’s employer up to £85,000 per annum, depending on role and experience.

4. Is remote work allowed?
Yes, the fellowship follows a hybrid model: part-time on-site at DSIT and part-time remote.

5. What kind of projects will I work on?
Projects focus on solving real-world public sector challenges, including AI for legal systems, healthcare, crisis response, and secure document processing.

6. Do I need to be employed to apply?
Yes. You must be employed by a UK-based organization that agrees to a 12-month secondment to DSIT.

Final Thoughts

The Open Source UK AI Fellowship 2025 offers a fully funded, impactful opportunity for AI professionals to contribute to high-value public service projects while advancing their careers and research. Supported by the UK government and tech industry leaders, this program aims to build a strong, transparent, and ethical AI ecosystem for national and global benefit.