Faith and AI Faculty Fellowship

The Notre Dame Institute for Ethics and the Common Good (ECG) invites applications for its 2026–27 Faculty Fellowship program. We are seeking five scholars to join a vibrant, interdisciplinary cohort dedicated to advancing research on faith-based ethical approaches to powerful AI.

For futher explanation of this topic, including a list of potential research topics related to it, please see https://ethics.nd.edu/fellowships-and-grants/faith-and-ai-faculty-fellowships/.

In 2026-27, one Faculty Fellowship will be co-sponsored by the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies. This fellowship will fund a project that connects with the topic above from a perspective in Asian studies.

The program is open to U.S. and international scholars at any career stage, including tenured faculty and postdoctoral researchers.

Faculty Fellows receive half their base salary per academic year (up to $80,000), a housing subsidy (for those who currently reside outside of the South Bend area), a research allowance of $1,000, and a private office at ECG. Fellows' home institutions provide the remainder of their salaries as well as all benefits, including health insurance.

Postdocs are welcome to apply and receive a stipend of up to $80,000 paid directly to them (rather than to a home institution). Postdocs are also provided health insurance benefits.

Faculty Fellowships are open to scholars who are conducting a substantial research project related to love-based ethical frameworks.

Note: Scholars seeking a faculty fellowship who are working on love-based ethical frameworks should apply here.

Applicants from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply, including—but not limited to—philosophy, theology, psychology, sociology, political science, computer science, engineering, law, literature, and the arts.

While most Faculty Fellows hold academic appointments at colleges or universities, the fellowship is also open to independent scholars, journalists, artists, and others whose work aligns meaningfully with the fellowship theme.

The majority of fellowships will be awarded to scholars external to the University of Notre Dame. However, Notre Dame faculty are eligible to apply, and a limited number of fellowships may be awarded to applicants from within the university.

Postdoctoral scholars and advanced graduate students are welcome to apply, provided they will have completed all Ph.D. requirements by May 1, 2026, and are within five years of earning their degree.

We welcome applications from scholars who are based outside the U.S. We also welcome applications from scholars from a variety of faith and cultural traditions.

Fellows are expected to be in residence for the full academic year (August through May). Semester-long fellowships are generally not available.

All Faculty Fellows are expected to reside in the South Bend area and to remain in residence at the University of Notre Dame during the period of their fellowship (except for vacation periods, holidays, and University breaks).

Faculty Fellows are expected to be free of their regular commitments and to have their primary office at the Institute so they may devote themselves full time to the work outlined in their research proposal and participate fully in the community of scholars at the Institute.

Faculty Fellows are also expected to attend weekly seminars, present their research twice during these seminars, and attend ECG retreats, communications workshops, and other special events.

Applications for Faculty Fellowships must be submitted through Interfolio and should include the following:

• Completed online application form
• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae (no more than four pages, single-spaced)
• Proposal abstract (no more than 400 words)
• Fellowship research proposal (no more than six pages double-spaced; research proposals may include a works-cited or bibliography page, which does not count toward the six-page limit). In the research proposal, applicants should provide an explanation of the project they intend to pursue at ECG, including:
  • How the proposed research aligns with the research theme and mission of the Institute
  • Preliminary objectives for the research to be conducted (i.e., whether the research might result in a book, journal article, art work, etc.)
  • The proposed work plan (including what research or work has already been accomplished, what will be done during the fellowship period, the methodology to be employed, and the organization of the scholarly project, book, or other work)
• Public-engagement proposal (no more than two pages, double-spaced). In the public-engagement proposal, applicants should explain how they plan to engage a public audience with their proposed research project (e.g., through a newspaper op-ed, public discussion, podcast episode, etc.).
• Two letters of reference. The letters should address the strength of the applicant’s proposed research project, its fit with the 2026-2027 research theme, and the applicant’s collaborative potential and collegiality. (See FAQ page for common questions about letters of reference.)
• (Optional) Up to two pages of non-text materials supporting the research proposal

Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of their potential for research impact, fit with the theme, and fit with the Institute’s mission.

Finalists will be asked to be available for a brief Zoom conversation with committee members during the final stage of the selection process.