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The Impact AI Fellowship 2027 pays a fixed stipend of €5,000 for a ten-week research fellowship at the Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG) in Berlin, Germany. HIIG also supports the travel and accommodation costs needed for the in-person weeks in Berlin, decided case by case.
The fellowship runs from 16 August to 22 October 2027. Fellows learn HIIG’s Impact AI Method and use it to assess how one real AI project affects society and the environment. It is open to people working in research, journalism, civil society, the public sector and companies, and a master’s degree is generally expected.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Host country | Germany (Berlin, with remote weeks) |
| Organisation | Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG) |
| Dates | 16 August to 22 October 2027 (10 weeks) |
| Funding | €5,000 stipend, plus case-by-case support for travel and accommodation |
| Who can apply | Researchers, journalists, civil society and public sector professionals, usually with a master’s |
| Application fee | None mentioned |
| Deadline | 15 January 2027 |
What is the Impact AI Fellowship?
Impact AI is a research project at HIIG, run with Greenpeace Germany and Economy for the Common Good. It has built a method for checking whether “AI for good” projects really help people and the planet.
As a fellow, you carry out a full impact assessment of one AI project: preparing and running interviews, analysing the data and writing the final report. You get workshops, expert input, peer exchange and close support from the research team, and you become lead author of a case report.
What you get
- A fixed stipend of €5,000 for the ten weeks (this includes any tax or social security costs in your home country)
- Support for travel and accommodation costs for the in-person weeks in Berlin, decided individually and as far as HIIG can
- Training in the Impact AI Method, with workshops and one-to-one supervision
- Lead authorship of a case report
- Chances for future research and publication with HIIG
Fellows cover other costs such as health insurance, visa fees and meals. HIIG may help with extra costs in exceptional cases.
Programme structure
- 11 May 2027: mandatory online preparation session
- 16 to 20 August: in-person workshops in Berlin
- 23 August to 1 October: research phase, remote work possible, with weekly online check-ins
- 4 to 8 October: in-person results workshops in Berlin
- 11 to 22 October: finishing the assessment report
Who can apply
- People working in academia, journalism, civil society, public institutions or companies working on AI, sustainability or the public interest
- Usually a master’s degree, or experience you feel is equal to one
- Research experience or professional expertise in AI, sustainability or the public interest
- A strong interest in research and the ability to learn and apply a detailed method
- Able to attend both in-person weeks in Berlin and all online check-ins
Do I need a master’s degree?
A master’s is generally required, but not having one does not automatically rule you out. If your experience is equal to a master’s, HIIG encourages you to apply.
Do I need my own AI project?
No. You can propose an AI project to assess, but you don’t have to. HIIG runs a call for cases and helps match fellows with suitable projects.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?
No test is named.
Is there an application fee?
No application fee is mentioned.
Required documents
Combine these into a single file and submit them with the online form:
- CV (up to 4 pages)
- Motivation letter (up to 2 pages), including your level of AI expertise and your organisation’s background and motivation, if relevant
- A description of the AI project you propose to assess, if you have one (up to 2 pages)
How to write your motivation letter
- Explain your link to AI and society: research, reporting, policy or NGO work.
- Be honest about your AI knowledge. HIIG asks for your level, and the training starts from the method itself.
- Show how you would use the method after the fellowship, at your organisation or in your country.
- If you propose a project, say why its impact matters and how you would reach the people involved.
HIIG holds online information sessions on 10 November 2026 at 10 am CET and 17 November 2026 at 3 pm CET, with no registration needed.
How to apply, step by step
- Read the call on the HIIG website and the Impact AI FAQ.
- Join an online information session if you can.
- Prepare your CV, motivation letter and optional project description in one file.
- Complete the online application form on the call page and upload your file.
- Submit before 15 January 2027.
Selection process
HIIG reviews applications for research interest, relevant experience and the ability to apply the method with care. All fellows sign a fellowship contract and must take part in all in-person sessions and online check-ins.
Deadline
Deadline: 15 January 2027
The online preparation session on 11 May 2027 is mandatory for selected fellows.
Have a question?
Ask in the comments and we’ll help where we can.
Related reading
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