Scholarship Overview
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Program Overview
The EDSAFE AI Fellowships are competitive, fully funded leadership development programs designed to connect and empower thought leaders working at the intersection of artificial intelligence and education. Running from January through December each year, these fellowships bring together cohorts of 30+ professionals to learn from world-leading experts, collaborate across traditional sector boundaries, and develop practical solutions for ethical AI implementation in learning environments.
The program operates on the SAFE framework—ensuring AI in education is Safe by design, Accountable, Fair, and Evidence-based. Fellows participate through interactive virtual workshops, peer mentorship, and a culminating microcapstone project deployed in their specific professional context.
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Three Fellowship Tracks
Catalyst Fellowship
This interdisciplinary track unites education leaders across both practice and industry, bridging the supply and demand sides of the sector. It is designed for administrators, teachers, researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals interested in building resilient, AI-enabled learning ecosystems. The program emphasizes cross-sector collaboration to ensure emerging technologies elevate human judgment and student agency. Open to worldwide applicants.
Women in AI Fellowship
Built specifically for women at the forefront of technology and education, this fellowship creates dedicated space for peer support, continuous learning, and ecosystem connection. It serves women technologists in AI development or data science as well as educational leaders seeking to apply AI to improve learning outcomes. The program empowers participants to reimagine learning systems that center human agency. Open to worldwide applicants.
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Vanguard Fellowship
Designed alongside practitioners and field leaders, this track serves individuals working directly in K-12 schools, districts, states, and educational institutions. Eligible roles include classroom teachers, instructional coaches, site and district administrators, IT professionals, and employees of regional or state education agencies shaping conditions for SAFE AI use. Preference is given to U.S.-based applicants, though international K-12 practitioners may still apply.
Program Structure and Time Commitment
The EDSAFE AI Fellowship is not a full-time program. Over 12 months, fellows typically commit 2–4 hours monthly, including:
- Interactive virtual workshops with global AI and education experts
- Cohort discussions and peer learning sessions
- Mentorship from previous EDSAFE Fellows
- Development of an individual or collaborative microcapstone project
- At least one in-person cohort gathering during the fellowship year
The curriculum covers AI fundamentals, emerging trends, ethical frameworks, and practical implementation strategies—all centered on the SAFE principles.
What the Fellowship Covers
The EDSAFE AI Fellowships are fully funded with no participation cost. However, applicants should note:
- No tuition or program fees are charged
- No honorarium or monetary compensation is provided
- Travel costs for the in-person gathering may or may not be covered—this is not specified in program materials
The primary value lies in expert knowledge access, professional network development, mentorship relationships, and the platform to influence global conversations on responsible AI in education.
Eligibility Requirements
| Track | Who Can Apply | Geographic Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Catalyst | Educational leaders: administrators, teachers, researchers, policymakers; industry professionals passionate about AI in education | Worldwide |
| Women in AI | Women technologists (AI development, data science) OR educational leaders exploring AI for learning outcomes | Worldwide |
| Vanguard | K-12 educators, administrators, coaches, IT staff, district/state education agency employees implementing AI in K-12 | Preference for U.S.-based; others may apply |
Self-nominations are welcome. Selection prioritizes demonstrated commitment to ethical AI use, leadership potential, diversity of experience, and application quality.
Application Timeline and Process
Application deadline: November 30, 2026, at 10:00 p.m. EST. Late applications are not accepted.
Notification: Successful applicants notified in late December 2026.
Announcement: Fellows announced January 2027.
Program start: January 2027 (12-month duration).
To apply, candidates must submit materials through the designated portal for their chosen track. Three separate application links exist:
- Apply for the AI Catalyst Fellowship
- Apply for the Women in AI Fellowship
- Apply for the Vanguard Fellowship
Why African and SADC Professionals Should Consider This
For education leaders from Zimbabwe and the broader SADC region, the Catalyst and Women in AI tracks offer particularly strong fit given their worldwide openness. The program’s emphasis on ethical, equitable AI implementation resonates with regional priorities around technology access and educational equity. The virtual delivery model removes geographic barriers, while the global cohort structure provides exposure to diverse educational contexts—including those relevant to emerging economies.
The microcapstone requirement allows fellows to design solutions for their specific institutional or national contexts, meaning SADC participants can directly address local challenges in AI policy, teacher training, or student-facing tools. Previous cohorts have included international fellows, though specific regional representation data is not published.
Selection Process
A diverse selection committee representing multiple organizations within the EDSAFE AI Alliance evaluates applications competitively. Key criteria include:
- Demonstrated commitment to ethical, safe, and equitable AI in education
- Leadership potential and ability to influence practice or policy
- Diversity of professional experience and personal background
- Quality and thoughtfulness of application materials
The process does not require interviews for all candidates; decisions are based primarily on written submissions.
Official scholarship page: https://www.edsafeai.org/fellowship
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships