AI Policy Research Externship at Umea

The AI Policy Lab at Umeå University in Sweden, led by Wallenberg Scholar Professor Virginia Dignum, runs a five-month, part-time research externship for Bachelor's and Master's students and 2026 graduates from anywhere in the world. Each of the 10 externs proposes and develops their own AI policy research project with a mentor, online or in person in Umeå. It is unpaid: there is no salary, stipend or travel support.

What you get:

• Individual mentorship and feedback from researchers at the AI Policy Lab or its network
• Practical research experience in AI policy and responsible AI governance
• Connections with researchers and fellow externs from different disciplines
• Publication and presentation opportunities through AI Policy Lab channels, subject to review
• A certificate of completion

What you'll do:

• Develop your own AI policy research question, review the literature and analyse policy developments
• Join online workshops of about 90 minutes every two to four weeks on AI governance, research methods and policy writing
• Give a mid-term presentation in April and a final presentation in June
• Produce a final output such as a policy brief, white paper, research report or prototype

Key dates:

• Applications close 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET
• Review of written applications, then videos, December 2026 to January 2027
• Decisions by mid-January 2027
• Programme runs 1 February to 15 June 2027

More information:

• The application has three parts: a CV of up to two pages, a 60 to 120 second video, and a research proposal of about 550 words in the online form
• Unpaid, and not employment at Umeå University; no academic credit is awarded
• Workshops run in Swedish time (CET/CEST), in English

What you get:

• Individual mentorship and constructive feedback from experienced researchers
• Practical research experience in AI policy and responsible AI governance
• International connections with researchers and fellow externs
• Publication and presentation opportunities through AI Policy Lab channels, subject to review
• Certificate of completion

What you'll do:

• Conduct an independent AI policy research project of your own design
• Work with an individual mentor
• Attend online workshops of about 90 minutes every two to four weeks
• Present at mid-term in April and at the end in June
• Produce a policy brief, white paper, research report or prototype

Key dates:

• 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET: application deadline
• December 2026 to January 2027: review of written applications, then videos
• Mid-January 2027: all applicants informed
• 1 February 2027: programme starts
• April 2027: mid-term presentations
• By 15 June 2027: final presentations

More information:

• Ten places in the 2027 cohort
• Part-time with no fixed weekly hours; fixed commitments are the workshops and two presentations
• On-site participation in Umeå is optional and at your own cost for students from other universities; it does not affect selection
• No interview stage
• The video must be recorded by you in your own voice; an alternative is arranged on request for accessibility or technical reasons

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's degree programme at a recognised university, or completed a Bachelor's or Master's degree in 2026
• Not eligible: PhD candidates, and graduates who completed their degree before 2026 and are not currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's programme
• Open to applicants from any university and any country
• Programme is in English; perfect English is not required
• CV (PDF, max two pages), a 60 to 120 second video, and a research proposal of about 550 words
• Shortlisted candidates may be asked for proof of enrolment or 2026 graduation