International Programme on AI Evaluation: Capabilities & Safety - Applications are open!

The first edition of the International Programme on AI Evaluation: Capabilities & Safety will run from February to May 2026. We are selecting 40 fully funded participants - graduate and PhD students, researchers, and professionals from around the world - who are ready to shape the future of AI evaluation.

More Information

We test. We measure. We make AI accountable.

Type: Fully-funded academic programme (150 hours, hybrid)

Start Date: February 2026

Location: Online + in-person capstone week in Valencia, Spain – May 2026

Priority application deadline: November 17, 2025

The Mission

The world doesn’t yet fully understand AI. We’re changing that. This programme trains the next generation of AI evaluation and safety specialists: people who will test, measure, and shape how the world trusts and governs AI.

By pioneering a new science of AI evaluation, we’re transforming scattered insights into a shared discipline and creating the standards and language that governments, labs, and societies can rely on.

What You’ll Do

  • Join 40 selected participants from around the world for a 150-hour hybrid course. 

  • Learn directly from experts at Cambridge, Stanford, Microsoft Research Asia, OpenAI, the EU AI Office, DeepMind, Apollo Research, and others.

  • Gain the foundational skills to work at AI Safety Institutes, AI companies, government evaluation teams, or research labs.

What You’ll Learn

  • Large Language Models & Architectures

  • Metrics, Benchmarks & Experimental Design

  • Red-Teaming & Adversarial Testing

  • Construct-based & Mechanistic Evaluation

  • Governance, Policy & AI Regulation
    (Full syllabus at ai-evaluation.org/programme )

Ideal Candidates

  • Graduate or PhD students, early-career researchers, or professionals, with expertise in AI and machine learning, from academic training or professional experience.

  • Curious about how we can scientifically evaluate AI capabilities and safety.

  • Excited by rigorous research, interdisciplinary thinking, and real-world impact.

Open to candidates worldwide, as we aim to build a truly global cohort representing diverse perspectives, regions, and disciplines — essential for evaluating AI systems that impact everyone.

What’s Included

  • Full scholarship funded by Open Philanthropy (tuition + travel and accommodation for the in-person week).

  • Access to an international faculty network and post-programme career pathways.

  • 15 ECTS Expert Diploma by ValgrAI - the Valencian Graduate School and Research Network of Artificial Intelligence

Selection Process

  1. Application Form – Submit your CV and motivation statements.

  2. Shortlisting – Applications will be reviewed using transparent and equitable criteria.

  3. Interviews – Shortlisted candidates will be invited for short online interviews.

  4. Final Selection – Offers extended to 40 participants, with all costs covered by Open Philanthropy.

Important Dates

  • Applications Open: October 6, 2025

  • Priority Deadline: November 17, 2025

    • Applications submitted by this date will be reviewed first.

    • Strong candidates will receive early offers before the final deadline.

    • Applications received after the priority deadline will be reviewed. However, admission is highly competitive, and spaces are limited.

  • Final Deadline: December 8, 2025

  • Final Decisions Released: January 12, 2026

  • Deadline to Accept Offers: January 19, 2026

  • Programme Starts: February 2nd, 2026 (online)

  • In-person Capstone Week in Valencia: May 25 to 29th, 2026

Shape the future of AI evaluation.

Applications are open now!

This is more than a programme. It’s a community. It’s the beginning of a discipline.
If you’re ready to do the work and make AI safer for everyone: Apply.

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 FAQs

  • Graduate or PhD students, early-career researchers, and professionals with expertise in AI/ML, from academic training or professional experience.

    We are mostly interested in your motivation to work on AI evaluation and safety.

    This programme is particularly helpful for technical researchers in AI safety teams, or people who may occupy decision-making positions and want to have a solid understanding of all AI evaluation techniques.

    Exceptional candidates from policy, governance, or social sciences with technical interests are also welcome.

  • Applying early shows commitment and gives you the best chance of securing a spot in the cohort of 40 participants.

    Spaces are limited and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • No. We expect applicants to have technical competence in AI/ML, but the programme is designed to provide structured training in evaluation methods.

  • All tuition, plus travel and accommodation for the in-person week in Valencia, are fully funded by Open Philanthropy.

  • We will accept 40 participants globally. We expect high interest, so being clear on your essays will strengthen your application.

  • Graduates earn a 15 ECTS Expert Diploma, certified by ValgrAI.

  • The program should require a dedication of 1/4 of a typical master's program over one semester, which means approximately 20h of work per week. 

  • Yes, professionals and master’s students with relevant experience are encouraged to apply.

  • The programme is conducted fully in English. You should feel comfortable following lectures, participating in discussions, and writing short assignments in English. Formal test scores are not required, but this is the level we recommend:

    • The Council of Europe's CEFR:

      Recommended Minimum: B2 - Upper intermediate

    • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): Recommended Minimum: 90

    • IELTS (International English Language Testing System): Recommended Minimum: 6.5

    • Duolingo: Recommended Minimum: 110

  • Yes. All sessions will be recorded, but we require a significant proportion of live participation to ensure meaningful interaction, networking, and group collaboration.

  • You may need a visa for traveling to Valencia, depending on your country of residence. We will provide official invitation letters and guidance for the application process, but you must cover visa fees and insurance requirements.

  • The capstone week in Valencia is a crucial part of the programme. Priority will be given to applicants who can attend in person, and selection decisions will reflect this.