Longitude DC Intensive is now accepting applications

(Fully funded + travel/housing support)

AI policy is no longer just for policy experts. It also requires technical AI safety professionals who can translate frontier risks into actionable governance.

That’s why Longitude has launched the 𝗗𝗖 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲

An 8-day, fully funded program in Washington, DC for technical AI safety professionals ready to put their expertise to work in policy no policy experience required.

Selected participants will:

• Learn US AI policy foundations + how to communicate AI safety in DC
• Explore policy careers through hands-on workshops + speaker sessions
• Build a DC network + receive transition support into policy roles

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆:

• Technical background in AI/ML • AI safety context • Policy curiosity • Strong communication skills
• Undergraduate degree+ • Professional experience valued • US citizenship not required

𝗧𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆:

• Submit via Longitude portal • Applications close: August 16, 2026, 11:59 PM PDT
• Cohort: October 5-14, 2026 • Washington, DC • 15 participants • Fully funded + travel/housing support

If you’re a technical AI safety professional curious about policy impact, this intensive deserves your attention. aperture

apply: https://longitudepolicy.org

Longitude DC Intensive · AI policy needs technical experts

Source: https://longitudepolicy.org/ Longitude DC IntensiveProgramWho should applyFAQAboutApply8 days · Washington, DC · October 5 – 14, 2026

Longitude DC Intensive

AI policy needs technical experts.

A fully funded eight-day program for technical AI safety professionals who want to put their expertise to work in policy. No policy experience required.

Applications for the October cohort are open.Deadline: Sunday, August 16, 2026, 11:59 PM PDT.

The US government has to navigate the arrival of transformative AI, and far too few of the people shaping its response understand the technology. The Longitude DC Intensive gives you eight days in Washington, DC to see where your expertise can make a difference, and to take your next steps to get there.

The program

Over eight days, you will upskill in the foundations of US AI policy, gain an understanding of US policy work, invest in building a DC network, and plan your next steps.

8 daysin Washington, DC

15participants

Oct 5 – 142026 cohort

Fully fundedprogram, housing & travel support

1

Learn

The first days build your foundations: how the US government works, where AI policy stands right now, and how to talk about AI safety in DC.

2

Explore

Next, you explore the breadth of policy careers through hands-on workshops. This deepens your understanding of working in AI policy.

3

Connect

Along the way, you meet professionals from a variety of policy organizations in talks, lunch discussions and evening socials.

4

Transition

After the Intensive, we support you to make your move into policy as smooth and quick as possible by connecting you to organizations, fellowships and openings – provided AI policy is where you want to go next.

Speakers

More speakers to be announced, and some are not publicly listed.

Speakers join in a personal capacity. Their participation does not imply an endorsement or a collaboration with their organizations.

Who should apply

We are looking for impact-driven people with a technical background and AI safety context, curious where their expertise could matter in policy.

A technical background

You understand how frontier AI systems are built and trained, whether from AI safety work, a technical degree, or research.

AI safety context

You have engaged with AI safety and can reason about why frontier AI risks matter.

Policy curiosity

You do not need policy experience, but you are open to bringing your technical expertise into the policy ecosystem.

Motivation

You want to reduce catastrophic risks from AI and think that policy work could help contribute to this.

Professional experience

You hold an undergraduate degree or above, and ideally bring at least several years of professional experience, inside or outside AI safety.

Communication skills

You bring excellent verbal and written communication skills and can tailor your communication to various audiences.

These are not hard criteria and we would much rather get your application than have you rule yourself out.If in doubt, apply.

Apply now

Applications for the October cohort close onSunday, August 16, 2026, 11:59 PM PDT.

FAQ

How much does it cost?Participation is free. We cover the program itself, housing in DC, meals on program days, and travel from within the US. If you join from abroad, we may ask you to contribute to your flight, with the details agreed before you accept your spot.

How technical do I need to be?You should have a genuine technical background, from a degree, research, or hands-on work, and be able to explain how frontier AI systems are built and trained. Years of professional or research experience is a plus, but not a requirement.

Do I need a degree or work experience?We expect an undergraduate degree at the minimum. Beyond that, some years of work or research experience make the move into governance work easier and we weigh them positively, but they are not a hard requirement.

Do I need a policy background?No. We aim to be an onramp into the policy world; you do not need prior policy experience or deep policy knowledge.

I already know I want to work in policy. Should I apply?It depends on how far along you are on this path. If you are already in a policy role or a fellowship like Horizon or TechCongress, this program will not add much for you. But if you are fairly sure you want policy and just do not know what the roles actually look like or how to get into them, the eight days can give you that overview and network.

What happens after the program?The last day is dedicated to next steps: career mapping, 1:1s, application planning, and warm intros. If you decide to pursue a governance career, we will support you in taking the next concrete steps through optional advising and intros.

How does the application work?A short written application and one interview. Applications for the October cohort are open untilSunday, August 16, 2026, 11:59 PM PDT, and you canapply here.

How can I refer someone?If you know someone who’d be a great fit for the Longitude DC Intensive, send us a referral throughthis short form. We follow up on every referral.

Am I eligible if I am not a US citizen?Yes, as long as you are currently based in the US. Many DC policy roles at think tanks and nonprofits do not require citizenship, while most government positions do, and we will map what is open to you during the program. US citizens who are temporarily living abroad can also apply. We will not accept applicants who are neither US citizens nor based in the US.

Why is this called “Longitude”?In 1714, the British Parliament passed the Longitude Act. Ships and crews were being lost because nobody could measure longitude at sea, a problem the government knew mattered but could not solve from within. The answer came from technical talent: John Harrison, a self-taught clockmaker, built a clock precise enough to keep London time on a rolling ship. AI policy is at a similar moment, and the hardest problems will not be solved without people who understand the technology in the room.