Applications are open for the ML Alignment & Theory Scholars (MATS) Summer 2025 Program, running Jun 16-Aug 22, 2025. First-stage applications are due Apr 18!

MATS is a twice-yearly, 10-week AI safety research fellowship program operating in Berkeley, California, with an optional 6-12 month extension program for select participants. Scholars are supported with a research stipend, shared office space, seminar program, support staff, accommodation, travel reimbursement, and computing resources. Our mentors come from a variety of organizations, including Anthropic, Google DeepMind, OpenAI, Redwood Research, GovAI, UK AI Security Institute, RAND TASP, UC Berkeley CHAI, Apollo Research, AI Futures Project, and more! Our alumni have been hired by top AI safety teams (e.g., at Anthropic, GDM, UK AISI, METR, Redwood, Apollo), founded research groups (e.g., Apollo, Timaeus, CAIP, Leap Labs), and maintain a dedicated support network for new researchers.

If you know anyone who you think would be interested in the program, please recommend that they apply!

Program details

MATS is an educational seminar and independent research program (generally 40 h/week) in Berkeley, CA that aims to provide talented scholars with talks, workshops, and research mentorship in the fields of AI alignment, security, and governance, and connect them with the San Francisco Bay Area AI alignment research community. MATS provides scholars with housing in Berkeley, CA, as well as travel support, a co-working space, and a community of peers. The main goal of MATS is to help scholars develop as AI alignment researchers. You can read more about our theory of change here.

Based on individual circumstances, we may be willing to alter the time commitment of the program and arrange for scholars to leave or start early. Please tell us your availability when applying. Our tentative timeline for the MATS Summer 2025 program is below.

Scholars will receive a USD 12k stipend from AI Safety Support for completing the Training and Research Phases.

Applications (now!)

Applications open: Mar 19

Applications are due: Apr 18

Note: Neel Nanda's applications follow a modified schedule and are now closed.

Research phase (Jun 16-Aug 22)

The core of MATS is a two-month Research Phase. During this Phase, each scholar spends at least one hour a week wor...

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