Applications are now closed.
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Fall 2025 programs
AI×AnimalsAn 8-week fellowship exploring the impact of current & emerging AI technologies on animals. Runs October 22, 2025 to December 21, 2025Prioritizing Neglected Animals
A 7-week fellowship exploring how to make the biggest difference for animal welfare— now and in the long-term future.Runs October 9, 2025 to November 24, 2025
Learn more about each program below and apply using our streamlined application forms.
Jump to the learner application (closed)
Jump to the facilitator application (closed)
Deadlines vary depending on which fellowship you have selected and whether you are applying as a learner or a facilitator:
Learner deadline | Facilitator deadline | Fellowship start | Course end | |
Prioritizing Neglected Animals | @September 15, 2025 | @September 23, 2025 | @Last Friday | @November 18, 2025 |
AI×Animals | @Last Wednesday | @September 17, 2025 | @Next Monday | @December 15, 2025 |
Please share the learner and facilitator applications with anyone else you know who might be a good fit!
Questions? Consult our FAQ. If you still have other questions, please reach out to us at fellowships@sentientfutures.ai.
📓 Fellowship descriptions
🤖 AI×Animals
AI×Animals surveys the impact of current and emerging AI technologies on animal welfare. Fellows will engage with high-stakes issues such as precision livestock farming, the use of machine learning to "decode" animal communication, genetic engineering to reduce animal suffering, and the intersection between animal advocacy and AI risks. This program will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and connections to steer AI development and deployment towards animal-positive outcomes.
Tentative program:
Week 1. Welcome and Fellowship Intro Week 2. AI×Animals: The Present and Near Future Week 3. Precision Livestock Farming Week 4. Interspecies Communication Week 5. A World Without Suffering? Advances in Genetic Welfare Week 6. AI×Animals: The Long-Term Future Week 7. Animal Advocacy in the Age of AI Risk Week 8. Taking Action: Career Planning
📊 Prioritizing Neglected Animals
Prioritizing Neglected Animals explores how to make the biggest difference for animal welfare, both now and in the future. Fellows will learn key principles for prioritizing interventions across species and contexts using evidence-based tools, including scope-sensitive frameworks, sentience-focused moral weights, and methods for quantifying negative welfare by time and intensity. Through real-world case studies, we’ll apply these tools to some of the most neglected groups: fish, shrimp, insects, wild animals, and even speculative future animal markets. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the frameworks and practical skills needed to direct your advocacy or career toward the areas where you can help the greatest number of sentient beings most effectively.
Tentative program:
Week 1: Scope Sensitivity and Fish Welfare Week 2: Sentience Weights and Decapod Crustaceans Week 3: Quantifying Time/Intensity of Suffering and Farmed Birds Week 4: Neglectedness/Cause X and Small Invertebrates Week 5: Wild Animals Week 6: Future Animals Week 7: Next Steps
💻 Format
Both fellowships follow a weekly small group discussion format.
You will meet for structured facilitated online discussions.
(1.5 hours per week)
You will prepare for these sessions by completing readings and pre-session exercises.
(2-3 hours per week)
There may also be elective sessions, including workshops or Q&As with leading researchers and practitioners from key career fields.
To get the most out of our fellowships, we recommend setting aside at least 4 hours per week for synchronous sessions and preparation, including readings and exercises.
We take an active approach to cultivating a supportive and constructive environment for learning and discussion. Learn more about our core values and discussion norms.
🎓 Apply to participate as a learner
🌟 Apply to participate as a facilitator
❓Frequently asked questions
Are the fellowships offered for free?
We offer our programs for free.On average, running our fellowships costs us about $568.32 USD per learner. In order to be able to offer all of our fellowships free of charge, we rely on donations. If you would like to support our work at Sentient Futures, please donate to us.
- We would be grateful for any donation size, big or small. If you're not able to donate, but would like to volunteer for us, please reach out.
- Whether or not you donate to Sentient Futures does not affect your chances of being accepted for our fellowships.
Where are the application forms?
The application forms are located above.
- The application forms are separated by role, not by course. There is one application form for learners and one for facilitators. For example, if you would like to participate in both AI×Animals and Prioritizing Neglected Animals as a learner, then you can apply to both using the same learner form.
- Click the buttons below to jump to the applications. They may take a few moments to load.
Jump to thelearner application(closed)
Jump to thefacilitator application(closed)
Can I apply to more than one program?
Yes, you are welcome to apply as a learner to both AI×Animals and Prioritizing Neglected Animals if you will have the time & space to follow both fellowships. If you are unsure, then we recommend only applying to one fellowship. Given the additional commitments & responsibilities of the facilitator role, we are only accepting facilitator applications for one fellowship at a time.
Is there a project portion?
No, there is no project portion included in AI×Animals and Prioritizing Neglected Animals. We are developing a separate project incubator fellowship for individuals who are interested in taking their work further.
What is the weekly schedule for the fellowships?
The exact days & times for the fellowships will be determined based on the availability of the accepted participants. At this time, what we can say is that:
- AI×Animals will run from @Next Monday to @December 15, 2025. There will be 4 cohorts meeting at different times during the week.
- Prioritizing Neglected Animals will run from @Last Friday to @November 18, 2025. There will be 2 cohorts meeting at different times during the week.
Can I follow Sentient Futures Fellowships Curriculum on my own?
Yes, the curriculums for AI×Animals and Prioritizing Neglected Animals will be published open access.
Will these programs be offered again in the future?
Yes, we do plan on running our programs on a recurring basis.
If you still have other questions, please reach out to us at fellowships@sentientfutures.ai.