Host a Fellow
Through our flagship Horizon Fellowship, we place fully-funded fellows at host organizations to help tackle policy challenges related to artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and other emerging technologies.
Federal agencies, congressional offices, and think tanks are eligible to host fellows. Placements typically last 12 months or more. All fellows bring subject-matter expertise in their field, and are selected through a highly competitive process. Fellows are fully funded by Horizon through philanthropic support and receive extensive policy training and mentorship prior to their placement, enabling them to hit the ground running from day one. Fellows’ work is fully managed by their host organizations.
To ensure access to talent is based on need and impact rather than budget, all our fellows are fully-funded through philanthropic support and thus free to their host organizations. The Horizon team has experience supporting dozens of fellows across federal agencies, congressional offices, and think tanks, and works hard to ensure that the process of onboarding fellows is logistically smooth for the host organization. Horizon does not accept donations from corporations or foreign governments (see our fundraising policy).
Our fellowship opportunities are widely advertised, and fellows are assessed for relevant qualities in a multi-step process that includes several interviews and work tests. Among our top priorities are a deep commitment to public service, analytical and writing skills, and the ability to work in teams and high-pressure environments.
To advance policymakers’ understanding of AI, biotechnology, and related emerging technologies, we select fellows who are experts in their fields from across academia, industry, and civil society. At the same time, we screen fellows for being broadly interested and fast learners, allowing them to thrive in dynamic policy environments.
To enable our fellows to hit the ground running from day one, we train them in relevant skills such as policy research, memo writing, and briefing, and organize seminars with senior practitioners on how the policy world works. Fellows also receive a personal development budget that they can spend on the skills most relevant to their individual placement and career goals.
Where our fellows have placed
Drawing on expertise built at top academic labs, medical schools, companies, and civil society organizations, our fellows have supported research and decisions on a wide range of topics including pandemic preparedness and response, the implications of AI developments for equity and security, and responsible innovation in emerging technology areas such as biotechnology, among many others.
The relationship between Horizon and host organizations
Once our fellows are selected and trained, Horizon’s primary role is that of a facilitator: we introduce fellows to prospective host organizations, and let the fellows and hosts make their own decisions from that point onward. Our number one priority is ensuring that there is a great match between the needs and interests of the fellow and their host organization.
As part of our facilitation role, Horizon works with prospective host organization staff to understand their needs, interests, and goals. We will ask host organizations what projects they could see fellows contributing to, and what knowledge and skills they would most value in a Horizon fellow. This enables us to make the highest-value introductions possible.
Host organizations may talk to multiple prospective fellows, and are encouraged to conduct their own screening process on top of Horizon’s. We put the fellow in the driver's seat: if fellows receive multiple offers, the ultimate decision of where to do their placement is up to them.
After fellows start their placement, host organizations fully manage the fellow’s work. Horizon staff will regularly check in with both host and fellow about the placement experience, and are available to provide support to the fellow where needed, but Horizon is otherwise not involved in the fellow’s day-to-day activities.