• Date Posted October 8, 2026
• Department Administrative Group
  Information Technology
• Location Flint, Michigan, or remote

Summary

The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation invites researchers in AI and computer science to apply for a six-to-12-month fellowship program. Partnering with the Foundation’s chief technology officer and the Information Technology team, the AI fellow will design, build and document AI-enabled workflows, tools and agents alongside program and administrative teams across the Foundation. The fellowship extends the Foundation’s internal AI capability and is intended to produce durable improvements that will remain in place after the fellowship ends. Fellows are given the resources, autonomy and access to real-world operational data needed to pursue ambitious projects — with the goal of producing work that influences how a global $4.4 billion philanthropic foundation operates at scale.

About the AI fellow program

The goal of this fellowship is to allow early-career AI researchers a flexible environment in which to pursue specific research projects while helping to build the Foundation’s AI infrastructure and capabilities.

Working with IT staff and Foundation leaders, the fellow identifies workflows suited to AI-enabled improvement, then designs, builds, tests and documents the AI-assisted tools, workflows and agents needed to support them, using the Foundation’s approved platforms. Clear, maintainable documentation is central to the role, so that workflows can be operated and adapted. Alongside this project work, the fellow provides hands-on training and knowledge transfer to Foundation staff, and tracks and reports on the adoption, usage and impact of what has been built.

Progress is reviewed through regular check-ins with a supervisor, as well as formal reviews at the midpoint of the fellowship and prior to its conclusion, culminating in a final presentation of work and outcomes to Foundation leadership. Throughout, the fellow is expected to surface risks, obstacles or scope changes early and adjust plans in consultation with their mentor and IT leadership.

Fellows propose initial project concepts as part of their application for the fellowship. Project concepts will be refined at the beginning of the fellowship with support from Foundation leaders. Fellows must be able to complete their projects during their fellowship. Projects must align with the Foundation’s goals and priorities.

Each fellow will have access to several valuable opportunities and resources over the course of their fellowship:

• Opportunity to apply for up to $20,000 of compute credits and API credits over the course of the fellowship.
• Opportunity to apply for up to $20,000 in funding for targeted convenings, travel, workshops, working sessions, etc. to advance exploration in various AI project areas.
• Access to more than 100 years of the Foundation’s grantmaking data, representing over $4 billion in cumulative giving.

Duration

Each fellowship will be six months long, with the opportunity to extend up to 12 months, with flexibility around start and end dates to accommodate academic commitments and other needs.

Location

Fellows may be remote or work in the Foundation’s headquarters in Flint, Michigan. Paid travel will be provided to remote fellows to participate in-person consultations and check-ins at the Flint office.

Other Appointments

Fellows may be permitted to keep their existing academic appointments, as long as they do not conflict with either institution’s policies (e.g., conflict of interest policies).

Qualification

The ideal fellow thinks like a researcher but builds like an engineer — someone who can investigate how a new AI capability works, then translate that understanding into a tool or workflow that Foundation staff can use. Graduate students, Ph.D. candidates, recent graduates, postdocs or independent researchers/engineers with demonstrated AI, machine learning or LLM experience are welcome to apply. Candidates should also bring hands-on software development experience and demonstrated programming ability, as this is a build-and-ship role rather than a purely theoretical one. Fellows must operate independently to set and scope their own project agenda and execute it without heavy supervision. They must communicate clearly in writing and in person and be comfortable presenting their work to diverse audiences.

Compensation

$8,000 to $12,000 per month. The fellow’s starting pay will fall within the monthly pay range listed and is determined based on job-related factors including education, work location and experience.

How to apply for this position

Please submit your resume and cover letter expressing your fit for the role and outline of initial project concepts to aifellow@mott.org.

About the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

Automotive pioneer Charles Stewart Mott established the private charitable foundation that bears his name in 1926 in Flint, Michigan. The Mott Foundation supports and works with organizations in our hometown of Flint and communities around the world to promote a just, equitable and sustainable society. We make grants to nonprofit organizations working in our four areas of interest: the Flint area, youth engagement, environment and civil society. In 2025, the Foundation made 396 grants totaling more than $161 million. For more information, visit mott.org.